Better than 90% of the hours I log (anywhere between 120-150 per year) are mowing. The remainder are playing in the dirt or snow with the FEL or using the tractor as a large diesel-powered wheelbarrow.
First machine I had that was in a class larger than the "MTD" was a gear Cub 154 LoBoy with a 5' belly mower.
Next was a Ford 1210HST R1's, 4WD with a 5' RFM. Bought it used almost 20 years ago and can't seem to part with it. Over the years I beat the snot out of the Caroni deck, welded it back together a couple times. Still cuts very nice.
10 years ago we got a Kubota B7500HST R4's with a Landpride 5' RFM. That mower was about max for the tractor. If the grass was long the tractor would drop some RPM's going uphill. I did use the Caroni (cheaper/lighter) deck on the 'Bota some times and it made a noticeable difference.
Earlier this week we traded the
B7500 on an
L3200 with R4's, a rear discharge 6' Landpride RFM. Dealer filled the rears with an antifreeze solution. It was surprisingly easy on the grass. I guess that the extra width of the tires keeps the weight spread over a larger footprint and makes a difference. The
B7500 was harder on the grass when brand new. After some usage the sharp shoulders of the R4's wore round and it was a lot more lawn-friendly. Only mowed one time so far with the
L3200, but this will be my favorite. It is way more nimble than it looked when it was parked next to the
B7500. I'm not a little guy (6'-4" & 270#) and like the way the L series fits me.
Both of the Kubotas have FEL's, but I always remove them for mowing. Thought I'd mention that because a friend of mine bought one of the larger HP'd B series and complained that the front tires were rough on his grass. He insisted on leaving the FEL in place to mow.