Test Drive Error

Charliebrn · Jan 1, 2002

I put it in the front tires of my BX. The ride is unchanged from just air, so I'm happy with that, and the fact that I no longer get flats. The Superflex does add weight, but it hassn't had an effect on my lawn. I do have turfs though, so I can't say as to how much damage Ags would do if filled.

TresCrows · Jan 2, 2002

Nuru, not intending to be a smart-alec, but get used to it (bouncing). Yeppers, that 4100 (Kubota NH whatever) compact utility tractor (subcompacts like the NHTC18, Cub and BX included) are going to bounce more than what you are accustomed to. It is NORMAL. Especially when the tires are not loaded which I would not do because of turf compaction the tractor will bounce. Loading the tires helps, reducing the pressure more also will help but can result in an unstable machine or produce inconsistant cutting with a MMM.
Also, you better get that 60MMM soon unlress you are sure it is compatible with the new JD tractors.
Even with a loader full of dirt and boxblade and all that--my 'botas bounce. My BX is less bouncy than my B2410, both are way more bouncy than even large GT's and LT's I have used before. Turfs may be more bouncy than R4's, heck look at them man--they are like giant basket balls with tread!!!!! My best suggestion is to slow down. I also suspect you are going faster than you think--like driving a motorcycle vs a Lincoln, 30 MPH feels fast on the scooter but dead still in the Lincoln--I suspect you are traveling faster than you did with your JDLX 2?? I still got a little LT also and that LT feels like I am zooming around yet I am actually going faster on the BX, it just feels slower.
Sorry, if this is not what ya want to hear.
J

TresCrows · Jan 2, 2002

One other thing, I believe JD offers a lower profile set of tires and wheels for the 4100. Check in with the dealer--it may be possible to trade out now while yours are still new and fresh. Loading your tires may be a help but the weight added will be roughly equal to one LT hung on your 3 point, it is going to mash your grass, loaded turfs may not be to bad though since they are so wide.
J

Nuru · Jan 2, 2002

tbarber, that is about 400 or so pounds heavier than a 4100. But you input about the MMM is nice to know.

Nuru

Nuru · Jan 2, 2002

charliebrn; That is a good input. I am really thinking about trying it out. By the way, did you put it in or get a dealer to do it? If you did it, did it require any special tools?

Nuru

Nuru · Jan 2, 2002

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! LOL!

Tres, actually No offense taken, but I hear Money green is less bouncy than Orangatan Orange! And more [brown]"Maan-lee" too![/brown]LOL! I am sorry I could not help myself.

MMM, we have local dealers who actually stock the 54" MMM, so I am not too worried about getting the deck. Also I am checking as to whether the new deck is compatible with the 4100 - word has it that it is. It would make sense, JD would not have to retool there factory to attach the unit to the same undercarriage.

Nuru · Jan 2, 2002

Tres, I will probably stay with the R3's and take a hard look at Superflex to fill them. I may even go with two sets of tires on the back R4's or bars for winter, turf's for spring/summer. But that all takes money and the MMM and the loafer are first.

Nuru

TresCrows · Jan 3, 2002

Nuru, that Superflex, from another thread, is some kinda heavy stuff. I don't think I will go that route. Antifreeze might be a better solution (no pun) for you--is puncturing a problem you think you may encounter?
Also, I guess I might have misunderstood, but you cannot mix and match tires with R4 on the back and turfs on the front. Frankly, I not much for turf tires but that is just me.
I sure hope you go with the 60 in MMM because a 54 will be a waste of power and actually will not cut as close or tight as a 60--it's true.
Orange more bouncy than green? Why you are mistaken!
Hey, you are the proud owner of a bouncing baby green tractor---you will get used to it, might consider a kidney belt. One thing, now that you have a real tractor and not a tractor styled lawnmower you can smooth, fill, grade, contour all those "rough" places away.
J

Nuru · Jan 3, 2002

Tres; Hmmm, grading, filling, contouring, I really did not consider that. Thanks Tres, that does bring some other projects to mind, Thanks!.

Well the 60" is about $1000 bucks more for 6 inches of extra cutting width and a lot of additional weight to move around, and my neighbor who has one complains that it does not seem to get into tight places too well, as another neighbor's does with the 54" He indicates that he hits more stuff unintentionally with the 60" than he did with the 54" he borrowed - it does stick out beyond the wheels a little. I guess I will have to go drive them both and see which one is more compatible for my needs. I am coming from a 42" so either one will be an improvement on how much grass I can cut at a time.

Yep, that orange seems to be more definitely bouncier than the Green, I think it must be that large ROPS on the back, LOL!

Nuru

forestcreature · Jan 3, 2002

I have the 60" mower [belly mount] and would encourage you to get that one as well. I test mowed with various decks [mid & rear mount] and decided upon the 60" belly.

My reasons:
1. the belly mount allows better control when going around trees and other obstacles.
2. the 60" deck allows me to mow my yard in a LOT less time.
3. the belly mount makes the 4100 more stable!
4. the attaching is easy

other:
I also have a rotary rough cut mower [4 foot] that i use on the rough ground [lots of rocks] when doing field mowing.
The only other thing - the 60" deck has a heavy metal discharge chute, the smaller deck has a black plastic one.

I mow the common ground here at the lake, and that extra width sure makes a significant difference in time!

Here is a chart for mowing times per width of cut.
http://www.zimmererkubota.com/acresperhour.htm

Nuru · Jan 3, 2002

Gee "FC", you have provided some good inputs and supporting information, Thanks. Now you got me wanting to go get the 60" I found one dealer willing to part with on for $2150 including free installation. That makes it quite close in price to the 54". BTW, does the 60" have a mulch kit? I like to mulch!

Nuru

TerryinMD · Jan 3, 2002

forestcreature,

How does the 60" MMM make the 4100 more stable and better control around obstacles? A 54" has a little less to bump into things.

Just trying to understand the why's....

Terry

Knight9 · Jan 3, 2002

Can't comment on the JD model specifically, but I think many folks feel a "heavier" mower makes their compact more stable. It also can make manouvering a little easier as you can stay away from the obstacles a little further with the tractor body since the mower extends out a greater distance.

Kevin

Nuru · Jan 3, 2002

Terry, I think it has to do with the weight difference and exactly what "FC" is saying in his response. But all the dealers talk about that weight difference and the fact that it apparently helps with the lowering of the overalll CG.

Nuru

tbarber · Jan 3, 2002

You can get closer with the 60" deck next to the trees/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
then you duck for the branches/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
then you smack the branch with the ROPS/w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif
im a slowwwwwww learner/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

TerryinMD · Jan 3, 2002

Okay, that makes some sense.

Terry

bigpete · Jan 3, 2002

Hey, Nuru...Here are a few deck specs right from the JD Grounds Care Purchasing Guide.

Cutting Width:__________ 54"_____ 60"
Overall Width:__________ 65.9"_____ 72.5"
Overall Length:________ 35.7"_____ 37.25"
Cutting Height (both):_____ 1"-4" Adj. by 1/8"
Deck Thickness:_________ 11ga._____ 10ga.
Tip Speed@ 3,200 rpm:___ 15.5k fpm_____ 14.9k fpm
Mower Wheel Dia.:________ 5"_____ 8"
Acres per hour @ 4.5mph:___ 2.0_____ 2.125
Tri-cycler Mulcher: Both Compatible
Shipping Weight:______ 185lb_____ 302lb

The 60 is identical to the one that I run on my 445 except for the drive shaft length. The deck guage and weight says it all (4200 and up use 7ga/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif). You've got the tighter cutting radius correct. The lowered center of gravity (300lb ballast) will smooth your ride a bit. Consistent and medium-firm tire pressure is critical to a good cut with a MMM, so you may want to stabilize that during the mowing season. I have never had scalping problems with my 60. The JD design suspends the deck with a four-point lift and you set your guide wheels a smidge above the ground on a flat surface. The design also incorporates anti-scalp rollers under the nose. Any size deck will scalp if not calibrated well. Bumps and berms can be scalped by the best equipment. You will learn your "flat-top" spots and cut them with the outboard blades

Just anther quick thought: Unless you are doing a high % of your work with the loader/blade/3PH implements, you may want to look at those $$expensive$$ wheel weights, suitcase weights and/or a ballast box for convenience. Loading and unloading tires seems like a hassle and you don't want to mow frequently with that kind of weight. As someone mentioned, you will end up with a hardpan lot and you won't need that MMM after mid-summer. Just my $0.04 worth (inflation, you know...pun intended/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif)

Regards,
Pete

Nuru · Jan 3, 2002

LargePete; thank you for sharing. If I can get a better price on the 54" or 60" MMM, then i have got it made. I will be looking to purchase in March 2002, so I can cut in april.

Nuru

TresCrows · Jan 4, 2002

You will not regret the 60 inch unless there is something specific about your lot that precludes the 60--like narrow areas. The 60in because it sticks out farther beyond the wheels allows a tighter inside cut radius--yes--it does--it is true and it also allows closer trimming along meandering flower beds and driveswalks etc and can be stuck into tight places/corners more easily. It is worth the extra dough. I prefer the suspended type like the 455 and 4100 and Kubota BX. My 2410 has the ground contact type--it appears to work great but still I prefer the suspended type. Neither type work very well on rough (read as rough!) ground (it beats them up) which is why they make brushcutters I suppose. I would not mess with the 54.
J

Nuru · Jan 4, 2002

Tres, well that appears to be 10 for the 60" and 2 for the 54". My current leanings are favoring the 60" because of the following:

heavier weight, will help lower CG and increase stability

wider cutting width, may make enough of a difference in my yard as some areas that would require multiple passes, probably can be made in fewer passes.

JD mechanics are saying it is just overall much more rugged in nature than the 54"

Any more opinions?

Thanks

Nuru