Sub vs compact... Need advice

[Gittyup]

Kens posted the web page that say's belly mower.

In the Kioti forum, I read that Kioti was planning to re-introduce a belly mower for the CK20 and boost the HP to 25. And a BC belly mower will fit a CK.

But, like the OP is finding the CT122 deals may be hard to beat. I think the BC is a great choice. The whole loader comes off easy. So, you can just have it on when needed. And it's way more loader than SCUTs offer. I think the wife might at first find it "big", but that goes away very quickly, especially when you take the loader off.

I'm thinking new tractor for mowing and considering the CT122 myself and selling both my JD 425 GT and my CK25. Or do I keep the CK25 and get a new X739? Can't decide.

 

[94BULLITT]

If understood correctly you have 4 acres to mow? Subcompacts are nice but the largest mower you can get on one is a 60'' and it would take a while to mow that much grass. I would look at a Kubota B3200. You can get a 72" MMM mower for it. John Deere also has a 2720 that is comparable to B3200 but I don't know what size deck they offer.

 

[jenkinsph]

If understood correctly you have 4 acres to mow? Subcompacts are nice but the largest mower you can get on one is a 60'' and it would take a while to mow that much grass. I would look at a Kubota B3200. You can get a 72" MMM mower for it. John Deere also has a 2720 that is comparable to B3200 but I don't know what size deck they offer.

The 2720 is available with a 72" deck also.

 

[murphy1244]

If I was cutting 4 acres I would go with a zero turn.

 

[94BULLITT]

If I was cutting 4 acres I would go with a zero turn.

You can't get a 3PH or a FEL on a zereo turn.

 

[murphy1244]

You can't get a 3PH or a FEL on a zereo turn.

True but I would cut the grass twice as fast and better cut than you. Why you pushing Kubota on everyone?

 

[94BULLITT]

True but I would cut the grass twice as fast and better cut than you. Why you pushing Kubota on everyone?

I wasn't pushing a Kubota.

 

[murphy1244]

I wasn't pushing a Kubota.

Okay, Sorry big shot.

 

[kiotiken]

In the Kioti forum, I read that Kioti was planning to re-introduce a belly mower for the CK20 and boost the HP to 25.

Not that you can always believe Kioti's sales material (BIG lesson learned the hard way for me), but it clearly says you can get a MMM with the optional mid PTO (screen shot from the previous link I posted). I've also seen several times mention of the bump in hp which makes sense given the into of the CS line and the CK25 disappearing, but nothing on their site yet. I've also heard the CK35 will pick up another cylinder, but again, nothing yet.



As for the ZTR, that's absolutely the only way I'd mow 4 acres of grass unless it was hilly. No FEL, no 3pt, but it's the right machine for the job. when I went from a lawn tractor (JD Home Depot special) to a Ferris IS3000 ZTR, my mowing time went from 3 hours down to 1. This may not be for the OP, but I'd rather buy a used ZTR and tractor to fit my budget than try and find a new machine to do both.

 

[wcampbell47]

If understood correctly you have 4 acres to mow? Subcompacts are nice but the largest mower you can get on one is a 60'' and it would take a while to mow that much grass. I would look at a Kubota B3200. You can get a 72" MMM mower for it. John Deere also has a 2720 that is comparable to B3200 but I don't know what size deck they offer.

I will second the B3200. It is still narrow at 54" and is easy on a lawn. Has lots of power. I can do so much more with mine than with the B7510. You will find expand the list of things you think you can do with the tractor. For that reason (If I had it all to do over again) I would have bought larger than my original B7510 21 hp. So, figure out what size you are comfortable with ... then buy one step larger. Ten years from now you will not regret it. Buy new - with good credit you can get $0 down and $0 interest for 60 months. Other wise you will be laying out a lot of cash or finance at a much higher rate.

 

[Ljh815]

Not that you can always believe Kioti's sales material (BIG lesson learned the hard way for me), but it clearly says you can get a MMM with the optional mid PTO (screen shot from the previous link I posted). I've also seen several times mention of the bump in hp which makes sense given the into of the CS line and the CK25 disappearing, but nothing on their site yet. I've also heard the CK35 will pick up another cylinder, but again, nothing yet.

View attachment 304129

As for the ZTR, that's absolutely the only way I'd mow 4 acres of grass unless it was hilly. No FEL, no 3pt, but it's the right machine for the job. when I went from a lawn tractor (JD Home Depot special) to a Ferris IS3000 ZTR, my mowing time went from 3 hours down to 1. This may not be for the OP, but I'd rather buy a used ZTR and tractor to fit my budget than try and find a new machine to do both.

We currently have a kubota 54" ztr that she mows with, but our yard is "new" and is in much need of improvement. Our plan is to use the tractor for a year or two, and once the property is in order go back to a larger ztr for the mowing.

Here is my current dilemma.... I have found the tractor I want (bobcat ct122) and the price is excellent but I cannot find a belly mower larger than 54". I have called 4 dealers, and all say 54 is the only option for this model.
Apparently bobcat used to offer a 60, but not anymore. I'm sure this model can handle a 60" or bigger since they are putting 62's on the subcompacts. Can I use a kioti, McCormack, or other brand belly mower on the bobcat? Any ideas?

 

[jenkinsph]

How about a rear finish mower for the 3PH? It would seem this would be easy to swap out with other tools while fixing up the new lawn. Use the Kubota to trim if necessary.

 

[94BULLITT]

We currently have a kubota 54" ztr that she mows with, but our yard is "new" and is in much need of improvement. Our plan is to use the tractor for a year or two, and once the property is in order go back to a larger ztr for the mowing.

Here is my current dilemma.... I have found the tractor I want (bobcat ct122) and the price is excellent but I cannot find a belly mower larger than 54". I have called 4 dealers, and all say 54 is the only option for this model.
Apparently bobcat used to offer a 60, but not anymore. I'm sure this model can handle a 60" or bigger since they are putting 62's on the subcompacts. Can I use a kioti, McCormack, or other brand belly mower on the bobcat? Any ideas?

Wallace Equipment in PA used to have a demo MMM on his website. I don't remember what size it was. You may want to check into it.

 

[kiotiken]

We currently have a kubota 54" ztr that she mows with, but our yard is "new" and is in much need of improvement. Our plan is to use the tractor for a year or two, and once the property is in order go back to a larger ztr for the mowing.

Here is my current dilemma.... I have found the tractor I want (bobcat ct122) and the price is excellent but I cannot find a belly mower larger than 54". I have called 4 dealers, and all say 54 is the only option for this model.
Apparently bobcat used to offer a 60, but not anymore. I'm sure this model can handle a 60" or bigger since they are putting 62's on the subcompacts. Can I use a kioti, McCormack, or other brand belly mower on the bobcat? Any ideas?

First off, no problem, call Kioti, Landini or McCormick and see what they have.

Second, I'm confused. If you have a ZTR, why get a tractor for mowing? Even if you get a 72" mower on it (I don't think you can), I'd bet the ZTR will still out mow it. Why not use the ZTR for what it's good for and buy a tractor with even more muscle but no mower? CT225/230 or even 235 are awesome tractors (I had a CK30). Nothing wrong with a CT122, but if you take mowing away, you'll probably get one of the bigger ones at the same price or even less if you forget the MMM and optional mid PTO.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Personal observation here...
I would determine...
1. What capacity do I want from my FEL?
2. What width of cut do I want from my tractor?
3. How important is maneuverability?
Those three questions should lead you to the best alternative...

 

[Ljh815]

How about a rear finish mower for the 3PH? It would seem this would be easy to swap out with other tools while fixing up the new lawn. Use the Kubota to trim if necessary.

We are going to sell the kubota an plan to leave a box blade on the tractor for added rear weight. My wife won't even consider a pull behind mower...She is a little hard headed

 

[94BULLITT]

We are going to sell the kubota an plan to leave a box blade on the tractor for added rear weight. My wife won't even consider a pull behind mower...She is a little hard headed

Why do you want to leave the box blade on?

 

[Ljh815]

First off, no problem, call Kioti, Landini or McCormick and see what they have.

Second, I'm confused. If you have a ZTR, why get a tractor for mowing? Even if you get a 72" mower on it (I don't think you can), I'd bet the ZTR will still out mow it. Why not use the ZTR for what it's good for and buy a tractor with even more muscle but no mower? CT225/230 or even 235 are awesome tractors (I had a CK30). Nothing wrong with a CT122, but if you take mowing away, you'll probably get one of the bigger ones at the same price or even less if you forget the MMM and optional mid PTO.

All good points and I would agree except I cannot afford multiple machines at this time. In a perfect world I would have a small tractor, a large tractor, and a zero turn! In the meantime I'll keep playin the lottery

 

[Ljh815]

First off, no problem, call Kioti, Landini or McCormick and see what they have.

Second, I'm confused. If you have a ZTR, why get a tractor for mowing? Even if you get a 72" mower on it (I don't think you can), I'd bet the ZTR will still out mow it. Why not use the ZTR for what it's good for and buy a tractor with even more muscle but no mower? CT225/230 or even 235 are awesome tractors (I had a CK30). Nothing wrong with a CT122, but if you take mowing away, you'll probably get one of the bigger ones at the same price or even less if you forget the MMM and optional mid PTO.

Also, the lowest price I could find on a Ct225 is 4 grand higher than the 122.

 

[Ljh815]

Why do you want to leave the box blade on?

I have read that rear weight is needed for doing loader work, and the box blade should get quite a bit of use as well.