Tractor weight vs. finish mowing

[QuasarZ]

I recently posted about this same issue sort of. I was comparing john deere 2520 to a bobcat ct 225. The consensus was john deere if primarily mowing, and bobcat if primarily doing ground engaging work. I ended up splitting the difference on a new Branson 2400H. I felt it had good weight for my ground work, and still light enough for the mowing aspect. It weighs in at 1811 dry weight, plus the loader. I figure around 2400 lbs maybe?? I have 6.5 acres, split pretty evenly with woods/grass. I needed something small enough to maneuver the woods, but still big enough for ground work. After looking at the bobcat, I realized it was too big for me.

 

[GManBart]

Approximately 4,300lbs (not including mower)....no problems unless the ground is really wet, or I don't pay attention, and make really tight turn (like one tire nearly stopping). I have some R3s I'm thinking of trying ($200 for the set with wheels!) to see how they do when it's a bit wetter.

 

[wmonroe]

I mow my place with my L5240 and a 72" RFM, if I have time or am not using it I take the loader off as it makes it easier to maneuver. I don't have any issues with rutting unless it is extremely wet. I just mowed Thursday evening after work after it had rained that morning and while I had to be careful making tight turns because of the wet ground, there was no rutting problems. If I had R3's instead of the R1's I don't think it would be any concern. My tractor weighs in about 5000 lbs with the loader and RFM on. While it is a big machine to do finish mowing it handles so many other larger chores with ease that I can do all I want with only one machine.
Here is a picture without the loader.

 

[Noeta]

Looking at a Dere 5505E for serious yard/clearing work, but want to finish mow as well. With R4 tires, is this thing too heavy for grass on sand (north central FL)?

 

[MHarryE]

Looking at a Dere 5505E for serious yard/clearing work, but want to finish mow as well. With R4 tires, is this thing too heavy for grass on sand (north central FL)?

I finish mowed with my L3710 Kubota on R-4s but only in a 3 acre front yard where I wasn't concerned about some scraped ground I and bare spots in corners. This is on heavy clay soil which I believe is a lot harder to rip up than your sand. I think it all depends on the quality of cut you want. Everything around our house gets cut with our JD riding mower to get an improved look.

 

[wmonroe]

Looking at a Dere 5505E for serious yard/clearing work, but want to finish mow as well. With R4 tires, is this thing too heavy for grass on sand (north central FL)?

On sandy ground I think a 5505 might leave some marking. Like MHarryE said, what type quality cut are you looking for?

 

[motorhead540]

I am currently mulling over this same issue but will be mowing with a JD 5210 MFWD tractor with a self leveling loader attached I am searching for a set of r3's since the r1's I have are very sharp and leave pretty good impressions. my tractor is 53 HP with 47 on the PTO . currently trying to figure out weather I should get a large rear finish mower or a 6-8 ft flail . we live on a residential airport with a grass field and take turns mowing it my b7100 is broken currently but to small for the runway task

 

[Noeta]

I am currently mulling over this same issue but will be mowing with a JD 5210 MFWD tractor with a self leveling loader attached I am searching for a set of r3's since the r1's I have are very sharp and leave pretty good impressions. my tractor is 53 HP with 47 on the PTO . currently trying to figure out weather I should get a large rear finish mower or a 6-8 ft flail . we live on a residential airport with a grass field and take turns mowing it my b7100 is broken currently but to small for the runway task

Was at the dealer yesterday trying to make marks or ruts on his lawn with the Deere 5055. The R4s appear to distribute the weight very well; no ruts or marks. Obviously trying here to combine two inconsistent functions: finish mowing (for which a 20 something hp with a belly mower would be fine) and ground work, for which bigger power is needed. Also really like the A/C cab of the 5055e -- hot here in FL!

 

[GManBart]

I am currently mulling over this same issue but will be mowing with a JD 5210 MFWD tractor with a self leveling loader attached I am searching for a set of r3's since the r1's I have are very sharp and leave pretty good impressions. my tractor is 53 HP with 47 on the PTO . currently trying to figure out weather I should get a large rear finish mower or a 6-8 ft flail . we live on a residential airport with a grass field and take turns mowing it my b7100 is broken currently but to small for the runway task

For mowing a runway, I'd go with the widest mower you can manage. I help my neighbor with his runway a couple of times a year....he runs a 6' mower behind his tractor, and a 5' mower on a side tagalong, so he's getting 11ft per pass. I'll line up my 7.5' mower behind him, and we're getting 18ft per pass, and it still takes a while.

Flail mowers won't give you quite as perfect a cut as a finish mower, but would seem to be a good fit for what you're doing...I'm considering one for a couple of large areas I keep mowed, but aren't my actual lawn.

 

[motorhead540]

Yes the widest without being to much for my tractor think 8 ft multi blade finish mower maybe a 7-8 ft flail not sure or how my tractor will handle either it seems to handle a 5ft tiller easily though... I have used my neighbors massey with a 6ft rears flail a couple times but not on my tractor would sure like to get a chance to see how it would run a 6 ft then I would have an idea if it would pull a 7 or 8