Tell me about the 990 and rough terrain mowers

[Cargun]

I'm looking at getting a 990 with a 300CX loader to do some work around my land. 29 acres in eastern OK, mostly flat, about 2/3 wooded with lots of large rocks. I'd mainly be moving soil to maintain ponds, build a backstop for shooting, move around large rocks (up to 1000 lbs maybe... it's kind of hard to estimate the weight of a rock). I'm also interested in gettinga 4 in 1 or grapple bucket to help clean up brush and dead trees. I'd also be pulling a mower to knock some weeds and small trees and brush down.

I started looking at the 4120... but I'd like to spend less than the $22.5 I was quoted for one with a 400CX loader. I'm not using it commercially, or to do regular maintenace (figure I'd mow 3x a year) so I don't think the lack of "time saving" features is a big deal.

Also, what type of mower would you recommend for mowing rocky terrain? There's no doubt about it... the mower WILL hit rocks, hard and often. Will a rotary stand up to that abuse or is there something else I should consider?

 

[Cargun]

Mods,
I think I put this in the wrong forum... could you move it to Buying/Pricing? Thanks!

 

[RoyJackson]

"Also, what type of mower would you recommend for mowing rocky terrain? There's no doubt about it... the mower WILL hit rocks, hard and often. Will a rotary stand up to that abuse or is there something else I should consider"

I'd remove as many of those rocks as you can. Buy or rent a landscape rake (if there's that many rocks, better buy one) and run through the area first. Bigger rocks...either dig them out or go around.

If this area is as rocky as you describe, could you rent a dozer (and operator, if you can do it yourself)? Let the dozer do the clean up work initially.

That said, you'll want a rotary cutter set as high as possible to minimize striking those rocks. You'll want chain guards or other type guards (my Land Pride cutter uses hard rubber strips several inches wide).
I'd also install a shield made of expanded metal (looks like a thick wire screen) mounted on your ROPS. Wear ear muff type protection and a hard hat with face shield. Have a cell phone or one of those walkie-talkies handy...just in case.

As robust as rotary cutters are, hitting rocks is tough on them. It can be dangerous...the situation you describe, it will be dangerous. Those rocks can fly at a pretty high velocity, or a blade can shatter from repeated impacts. If you're mowing in an area near houses, animals or public roads, mowing with a cutter would not be a good idea.

 

[ACKBill]

Think about a flail mower. It'll stand up to hitting rocks etc much better than a rotary mower will. A rotary will not take repeated rock/stone strikes well at all. Even if you don't have a major mechanical failure in the drive-line or the blades, repeatedly hitting things will dull the blades to the point of uselessness. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BILL

 

[Cargun]

Your advice confirms my fears.... that this is going to be a lot of work!

All the areas I am mowing have been bulldozed in the past, but a lot of rocks have risen to the surface since then. I've never used a landscape rake before... how do they work in hard packed clay? I'm thinking that many of the rocks I'm dealing with are too big for a rake (smallest wold be bowling ball sized).

I've definitely got a lot of loader work ahead of me cleaning out large boulders and piles of rocks. But I'd like to clear out large patches of thorn bushes first so I can see the rocks to dig.

 

[Cargun]

What are the pros and cons of a rotary versus a flail? Would I need to buy both or could I get by with just a flail?

 

[hilly]

I got both rotary and flail mower. You could get by having just flail mower if you are willing to go slow on thick and tall weeds. I jammed my flail mower a few times going through them too fast. One time the smoke came out of the belts then stall my engine. Well, part of the reason it stalled the engine probably was also due to my wrong reaction of slowing down the engine RPM when I saw the smoke. I should have disengaged the PTO instead. It all happened too quick for me when I was not very experienced.

Now my belts are a bit loose but functional. Good thing about that is when the belt start to slip a bit, I could hear it and just lift the mower to let the tangled grass comes off the mower before it gets worse totally jamming my mower and stall the engine again. Due to loose belt, the noise of belt slip happen earlier then it being adjusted tighter from the manufacturer.

I'm too lazy to change implements and just go with my flail mower to do the whole job dealing tall and thick weed or not. With your terrain, you need heavy duty flail though. 3/16" or thicker flail mounted on clevis works better on your terrain.

 

[hilly]

I got both rotary and flail mower. You could get by having just flail mower if you are willing to go slow on thick and tall weeds. I jammed my flail mower a few times going through them too fast. One time the smoke came out of the belts then stall my engine. Well, part of the reason it stalled the engine probably was also due to my wrong reaction of slowing down the engine RPM when I saw the smoke. I should have disengaged the PTO instead. It all happened too quick for me when I was not very experienced.

Now my belts are a bit loose but functional. Good thing about that is when the belt start to slip a bit, I could hear it and just lift the mower to let the tangled grass comes off the mower before it gets worse totally jamming my mower and stall the engine again. Due to loose belt, the noise of belt slip happen earlier then it being adjusted tighter from the manufacturer.

I'm too lazy to change implements and just go with my flail mower to do the whole job dealing tall and thick weed or not. With your terrain, you need heavy duty flail though. 3/16" or thicker flail mounted on clevis works better on your terrain.

 

[cmharcou]

If you haven't bought one yet, I came across a brand new 2004 990 for $17,500 in my area. It has 2 hours on it and has never been used. Its for sale by individual. I was going to buy it but my Kubota dealers sells the l4400 for $17900 with Front end loader. So I think I am going to go with the Kubota.

 

[cmharcou]

If you haven't bought one yet, I came across a brand new 2004 990 for $17,500 in my area. It has 2 hours on it and has never been used. Its for sale by individual. I was going to buy it but my Kubota dealers sells the l4400 for $17900 with Front end loader. So I think I am going to go with the Kubota.