The Advice We Give

[jjp8182]

Rear mount mowers are terrible if you have to do any sort of turning. Rear mount doesn't do anything mid mount can't do. I was really on the fence with my kubota 60" zero turn, until I got used to it. Now I won't do anything else. If you have tree's or do a lot of turning, rear mount is really squirly. If you go strait all day and make a single u-turn and then go strait some more, maybe rear mount isn't bad. But for mine, it's not suitable.

Guess this is one of those differences in preferences and uses that arise. In my case I much prefer a 3pt mower over a mid-mount as I actually find it easier to mow around (or under -- or over) obstacles & water-filled spots. Granted it requires some different mowing techniques (e.g. mowing around trees like a stream would flow around an obstacle rather than driving a circle around each tree, and backing up to swing the mower into really small spots, or mow in tight turns), but I can't see myself ever going back to a mid-mount mower arrangement. Especially since some parts of my property I'd rather not drive through during certain parts of the year when mowing as some spots will need to be mowed while being under a few inches of standing water for days/weeks.

Of course, from what I've seen beyond a certain size a 3pt mower also becomes the cheaper option when compared to a mid-mount mower (if a mid-mount is even offered as option) as a stand-alone implement on a tractor.

...so I guess this would be a great example of different tools for different methods and different situations.

 

[airbiscuit]

My additions would be:

• Had Turfs, R4s and R1s - prefer the traction of R1s
• Find a place for a chain and a toolbox
• SSQA
• Rear Remote(s)
• Few people wish they'd purchased a smaller tractor
• Buy a pony grader if you can find one
• Add a mirror and LED worklights

 

[metalbender]

Tractors are not good lawn mowers. They do excell at the heavy duty cutting with a bush hog and flail. ZT mowers rule, leaps and bounds ahead of the riding tractor type mowers. For any medium sized property, at least 40 hp. A cab is a must, especially for us older members, whose bones collect the cold when snow business is required. Pallet forks, grapple, land plane, the list of "toys" grows as needs arise. All tools to make life easier on the property. Usually we are working alone on many different jobs so must be careful and more cautious to prevent injury or worse. Being a city boy all my life, moving to the country at age 65 has been an eye opener. My opinions come from personal experience in my situation. All things considered, the information presented on this forum covers a vast area of knowledge, and I am grateful to be a part of it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

NOTHING cuts grass as well as a small push mower. Little ground pressure or weight to flatten grass and follows the terrain well. The wider a single deck is, the worse the cut quality. So really, something you can often find for free in a garbage, does the best job!

 

[rScotty]

NOTHING cuts grass as well as a small push mower. Little ground pressure or weight to flatten grass and follows the terrain well. The wider a single deck is, the worse the cut quality. So really, something you can often find for free in a garbage, does the best job!

I've noticed the same thing. Last year I spent some time finding a good reel-type push mower for a friend that wanted that type and no other.
I wonder if they cut so well because they actually cut through the grass blade with a shearing cutter instead of jthe helicopter type that keeps slashing at it until it tears.
What do golf courses use?
rScotty

 

[Industrial Toys]

I did mean a little gas job, but it is possible the reel mowers do a better job still. It's one thing I have never owned.

 

[4570Man]

I’ll take the 95 percent as good and 10x times faster job of my Grasshopper.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Can you show your work (math? lol

 

[4570Man]

Can you show your work (math? lol

Well I’ve never mowed an area with a push mower and then mowed it again with the Grasshopper. What time difference would you rate a 21” push mower vs a 72” ZTR?

 

[Industrial Toys]

You would have to factor in the age of the operator and some variable for laziness or lack therof.

 

[Diggin It]

I wonder if they cut so well because they actually cut through the grass blade with a shearing cutter instead of jthe helicopter type that keeps slashing at it until it tears.
What do golf courses use?

At least some use:

... or similar.

 

[ovrszd]

My nephew owns a Sod Farm. They cut with gang style reel mowers.

 

[metalbender]

Golf courses use gang reel type mowers. Best cutting of all. Also very labor intensive to sharpen and adjust. They don't do well on dirty surfaces, as in one hr mowing and ten hrs sharpening. Large mowers were developed for efficient work. Would be pretty comical to see someone trying to mow a golf course with a little gas push mower.

 

[Industrial Toys]

NIce cut, but you can see where the wheels flattened the grass. That will spring up and look like someone went to bed with wet hair. lol

 

[crashz]

IT has a good point. I was motivated to mow my 2 acres of grass this year with my 21" Husky. It was mostly for the exercise, partly for the bagger and a little to see how long it would take. It took forever! A full Saturday to mow, bag, dump the bag and keep mowing.

But it looked great. Really clean looking and very manicured. Honestly, I wish I had the time to do it like this.

 

[Industrial Toys]

As a tall, lanky, lazy teenager, I remember having to cut our fairly small yard with the biggest, steel decked mower, Craftsman made, was like being sentenced to Devils Island.

 

[nards444]

I think we all tend to give advice based on our own experiences, kind of make sense. Only problem is my situation is different then then my neighbors etc. Problem with tools is often times you need more than one, you need a framing hammer, a finish nailer, and sledge. Only problem is when it comes to tractors money is a factor for most people. Also I may need a tractor for snow removal and may used it very little mowing, and the next guy might be the opposite, which would dictate a totally different purchase.

Often times we hear buy as most as you can or as big as you can. Somewhat sound advice but its also easier to spend other peoples money. Really what it comes down to what you need it to do and what you can afford. End of the day a 20 hp tractor can do more than no tractor at all. I also have a buddy who has probably 150 in tractor, skid steers etc, yeah he can do his own work pride thing I guess. But between purchase price and maint, he could probably have saved 80% of that and either rented or hired it out, but as always tell him, if spending more money and doing it yourself is more fun, go for it.

 

[jjp8182]

Let's not forget the environmental/weather considerations. Granted if there's someone that wants to come push mow an acre or so of my property in the middle of an Alabama summer for free let me know so I can save a few cents (maybe a dollar) on diesel.

Even as a relatively "young" individual (by some standards) I've learned there are some things that just don't make sense to do.

On my place, I've used:
- a push mower which can be dang near deadly in the middle of summer, especially if you're trying to get done in a timely manner (can any one say heatstroke?)
- big-box tractor-looking riding mowers, where I went through enough to learn those didn't hold up to the heat all that well either (even when properly maintained), plus they would get stuck in the ditches where it'd be muddy/swampy until early/mid summer.
- a used zero-turn for a few years as well, did a fairly decent job until it too died (middle of summer) though it would frequently get stuck in the same places as the other small mowers which meant having to mow some areas with a string trimmer (which I wouldn't recommended doing unless conditions force it).

...and so I bought and use my tractor which has already survived more hours of operation on my property than any of the prior mowers (actually it might be getting close to as many hours of use as all it'd predecessors combined). ...which to me implies water-cooled engines and equipment built for durability & reparability will likely be the cheaper option long-term (even if it costs a lot more up front). Part of the reason why I bought the tractor was because all the air-cooled mowers were dying at a rate that it was costing me ~$1000/year (not including time, gas, routine maintenance, or parts) to mow a fraction of my property.

.....oh, and the tractor has yet to get stuck (even when the ditches are wetter/muddier) when mowing anywhere on my property. So as I've said before there are different tools for different situations and methods, and everyone needs to figure out what works best for them in their situation.

 

[Spanky72]

My advice is do your research and buy the largest tractor you can afford that is not so big it won't fit where you are trying to use it. A zero turn mower is hard to beat, but same as the tractor buy what makes financial sense that does the best job as quickly as possible! Bottom line is do your research and make your decision on what you have learned. If someone doesn't like your decision tell them you'll do it thier way as long as they are paying for it! Bahahaha