Smallest MMM

[JimBinMI]

Starting to research for a Sub Compact Tractor to mow with and move snow. I want the smallest MMM so that I get a better cut. The lot is not big, but steep. Must be 4x4 because the Craftsman we used last Fall spun going uphill and slid going downhill. Would also like to be able to plow snow in the Winter.

Really want diesel. So far, I've found that NH TZ's only go down to 54" and the Kubota BX's go down to 48".

I know that the expertise on this site will definitely save me some time.

Thanks,
JimBinMI

 

[newt92]

I would say 48" is going to be the smallest. Have you looked at the Simplicity Legacy, its a garden tractor but you can get both deisel and 4wd and would be better on hills, lower center of gravity. I had Simplicity Sunstars and would mow a ditch with no problem and was 2wd. Then I got a JD 2210 and I felt tippsy on far less angles than the ditches I mowed.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think that Newt 92 is correct in saying that 48" is about as narrow as you are going to find on this kind of tractor. A BX is 45" wide, and JD 2305 is 47", and my Simplicity Legacy is also around 47". It wouldn't work well if the mower decks were narrower. I have a 48" deck on mine because I had many rocks that close together ( my old BX fixed that), and wouldn't want anything narrower. I don't think that you will find that the quality of cut is terribly different with the slightly wider decks. I'll even go out on a limb and say that I think you will find that the wider Kubota, JD, and Simplicity decks will give you a better cut than a narrower Craftsman..... I found that when I traded up from my Craftsman years ago anyway. I do believe that a Simplicity Prestiege can be had with a 42" deck, and also with 4wd though you may find the price of that combo intimidating. I have also found that the heavier tractors ( I.E. Simplicity Legacy JD x7xx series, Jd 2305, Massey 2300, Kubota BX) have much better traction in 2wd than my old Craftsman, or lighter Simplicity did. Good luck, and good fun in your search!

 

[newt92]

You might be alright also with a garden tractor with a Diff lock. My Sunstars had them and on a ditch I would hold the lock down and sit in the center of the seat with now problems. That was my land yours may be different. Also take into consideration the trim ability of the decks, the further the deck sticks out the better or easier it is going around objects.

 

[john_bud]

Don't forget to check out the powertrac machines.

jb

 

[art]

It's always interesting when you take hills into consideration for mowing. I've done enough demo's I think for a life time and many times I won't go onto the hill that the people are mowing. This is where the ballast that is built into the unit as well as the additional ballast added enter into play.
I'm quite sure the closest unit you will find to what you are looking for will be the BX. There are big differences with the decks coming from a lawn tractor to a sub-compact.

 

[daTeacha]

Check Steiner and Ventrac, too, but I think 48 will be the smallest. I have a JD 240 which came with a 48 and I traded it off for a 38 with bagger. I just don't have room to use a 48 in between rocks and trees. This JD has tires that look like the semi ags I've seen on the BX series Kubotas. It will easily climb hills that my 109 Cadet simply spins the turfs on. Ditto going down. My ground typically has about a 15 degree slope -- about the same as a pole barn roof -- with some places a fair bit steeper. Maybe what you need is a midsize lawn/garden tractor with the right tires on it. Even then, you need to check the deck size. The big JD l/g tractors (5000 series?) don't come with decks smaller than 48, unless my dealer lied.

I've moved a lot of snow for a lot of years with my Cadet, chains, and a 36" front mounted blade. It sometimes got used when the back blade on my B7100 4x4 Kubota just pushed the tractor around. A proper garden tractor is surprizingly capable of moving snow. You could probably get into a garden tractor, mower, and snowblower for less than a bare SCUT. JD had some diesel versions in the past, don't know if they do now or not. Kubota likewise had some diesel garden tractors. They don't seem quite as macho as a compact or subcompact, but are you interested in getting the work done or owning a particular type of machine?

 

[dgl24087]

Don't forget about the JD X748, 3 cyl. Yanmar diesel, 4wd, 48 in. mower.

 

[kozak]

I have been using an AGCO Allis 1614 (14 HP) for the last 10 years. The AGCO line of lawn & graden tractors are made by Simplicity. Very dependable machine & an incredible lawn cut. Mine has a 38" MMM. As others have said, has a low center of gravity making cutting slopes easy. I did add some weight to the back.

I also used this machine for snowblowing which it also did very well. (Now use the Beast) The only big drawback were the turf tires. Had to put on chains every winter which was a royal pain in the rear. Without the chains you were not going anywhere fast.

If you want a smaller MMM consider the Simplicity but go with garden tractor (mine is lawn) & definitely look at better tires if available.

Vic

 

[John_Mc]

Starting to research for a Sub Compact Tractor to mow with and move snow. I want the smallest MMM so that I get a better cut. The lot is not big, but steep. Must be 4x4 because the Craftsman we used last Fall spun going uphill and slid going downhill. Would also like to be able to plow snow in the Winter.

Really want diesel. So far, I've found that NH TZ's only go down to 54" and the Kubota BX's go down to 48".

Far be it from me to talk anyone out of upgrading tractors... but I had a similar problem on my Craftsman 20 Hp Garden tractor. A swap from the turfs to "ag-style" R1 tires and adding rear wheel weights solved my problems. I mow some fairly steep hills with no problems.

I do add chains in the winter for snow plowing. It handles most of my plowing needs, though when it gets really wet or heavy snow, I have to use the FEL on my TC 33D (FEL is not an optimal snow removal tool, but it works).

I'm not really picky about my lawn, but I haven't noticed any problems with the treads leaving marks... what does get left, if the ground is a bit wet & soft typically disappears in a couple of days. There are some other treads I could have gone with that might have solved my traction problems and still been more "turf friendly", but what I have is working for my needs.

John Mc