Ventrac Mowing Speed?

[plowhog]

This is really helpful. To clarify: is double price per pound good or bad for the Ventrac? i.e. more expensive or less expensive?

It was something like if a regular tractor and a Ventrac each weighed the same, the price of the Ventrac would be double. That's about what it was compared to my Massey 1710 although I did buy it several years before the ventrac.

The ventrac is expensive-- but does unique functions others do not do well with. I'm glad I bought mine-- no regrets period-- and I should probably look at some additional implements and capabilities for it.

 

[CADplans]

We have had three neighbors,, all experienced operating other types of equipment,,, turn over ZT's.
They all have slopes like I have,,

AND, they all mow with something similar to what I use.

Every time I mow, I trim over ditches that would leave a ZT stuck.

I could mow right over this driveway edge,, no concerns about getting stuck.

I say "could", because I decided to remove that 12-18 inch elevation change,,
because of the grandchildren riding machines on my property.

I figured the dozer/excavator work was cheap, compared to an injured grandchild.

As far as speed, I can drive my fields with that tractor easily 50% faster than a ZT,,
the big fluid filled tires smooth out the bumps.

I paid $8K for that JD 4105 in 2016,, one of my best tractor purchases,,

 

[2manyrocks]

The OP's predicament is he estimated 10% of his 25 acres to be mowed is 30 degrees. That is 2.5 acres of steep slope mowing to be done. Ventrac is one of the relatively few brands of ride on machines in the USA that advertises the capability of mowing a 30 degree slope, and they have a Youtube video demonstrating mowing a 30 degree slope.

Power Trac also has a Youtube video of a dual wheel PT 1850 mowing a steep slope as well.

The other issue that comes to mind is the OP doesn't live on this property and would either have to transport a machine to the property or come up with some secure storage solution. A Ventrac would be easier to haul than a full size tractor.

FWIW, there's an area calculator based on google maps that can be used to estimate areas to be mowed if that would help in estimating how large the steep areas may be. Google Maps Area Calculator Tool

 

[Yander]

I don't think a Cub Cadet is going to hold up to that much mowing. You'll probably need to spend at least $10k (used) to get a good enough quality ZTR for that much land. I recommend full commercial quality ZTR or Ventrac for that much acreage. It is hard to tell the amount of slope from that overhead pic. I was looking at the ventracs yesterday and they really look stable for hillside mowing. Pricey but usually you get what you pay for. They are kind of a niche machine.

If I had a lot of hillside mowing, I would probably go that Ventrac direction. One thing you could do is hire a commercial landscape pro to mow the whole area once and then speak to them about the stability of a ZTR as you watch them mow it. If they can mow it with a ZTR, so can you. You may also be able to get wheel spacers for the ZTR. Even a good quality commercial ZTR is $15k (Gas) -$30k (diesel)

 

[2manyrocks]

Also worth mentioning is that you can calculate an estimate of acres mowed per hour based on cutting width, overlap, and ground speed. Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

What the calculator won't tell you is your ground speed if the vegetation grows up and you have to slow down in order to cut it.

 

[Yander]

Looks like a beautiful piece of property BTW!

 

[gretnagritty]

Thank you. This is all really helpful.

Here is where my head is at:

- For mowing: either Ventrac or a Cub Cadet Z972SDL slope mower ZTR. Both are expensive, and both seem designed for the kind of mowing I am looking at. I think either could handle the slopes. As I said, the guy today uses a traditional Scag ZTR, but I think it is not safe. Both are the same size cutting width (72") and as folks point out....there is only so fast someone can go on the fields. So any differential in speed will be minor and the tires are similar in size.

- For other work: if I get the Ventrac, will acquire attachments as I go (e.g. bucket and grapple, etc.). If I go with Z972, then get a used compact tractor.

- Note: ruled out a large HP tractor because of slopes and my ability, though I recognize it may be fastest. Maybe down the road once I have a better feel for which attachments I use and which I can hire out.

Financially, I think I end up in a similar place either way. Meaning the Ventrac and attachments (35-45k) will be about the same price as a dedicated slope ZTR (25k) and a used tractor (15-20K). But then I have two to maintain, and I have to explain to my better half why I need two tractors

Please pick apart my thinking. Thanks.

 

[prestond]

I am biased, but if I had to choose only one for my property it would be the Ventrac. It really does do a lot of things great (I sound like their marketing team).

I vote for...

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I am biased, but if I had to choose only one for my property it would be the Ventrac. It really does do a lot of things great (I sound like their marketing team).

I vote for...

View attachment 837652

View attachment 837653

You just sold me and I don't even need one! that is some beautiful grass/ stripes/ land.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thank you. This is all really helpful.

Here is where my head is at:

- For mowing: either Ventrac or a Cub Cadet Z972SDL slope mower ZTR. Both are expensive, and both seem designed for the kind of mowing I am looking at. I think either could handle the slopes. As I said, the guy today uses a traditional Scag ZTR, but I think it is not safe. Both are the same size cutting width (72") and as folks point out....there is only so fast someone can go on the fields. So any differential in speed will be minor and the tires are similar in size.

- For other work: if I get the Ventrac, will acquire attachments as I go (e.g. bucket and grapple, etc.). If I go with Z972, then get a used compact tractor.

- Note: ruled out a large HP tractor because of slopes and my ability, though I recognize it may be fastest. Maybe down the road once I have a better feel for which attachments I use and which I can hire out.

Financially, I think I end up in a similar place either way. Meaning the Ventrac and attachments (35-45k) will be about the same price as a dedicated slope ZTR (25k) and a used tractor (15-20K). But then I have two to maintain, and I have to explain to my better half why I need two tractors

Please pick apart my thinking. Thanks.

Others feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe Ventrac has two speed ranges where the Cub has one. Ventrac has an optional Kubota gas engine where Cub uses a gas kawasaki. Ventrac is 4wd where Cub is 2wd.

I have never operated either one.

If you add up all your estimated mowing time and time required to get to your property, will you have enough time to mow all 25 acres or do you realistically still need to hire someone else to mow for you? A guy with a 10-12' cutter could cut the flatter sections more quickly than you could cut it with a 6' cutter. I just don't know how much of the rest of your property would be suited to being mowed by a big tractor with a wide cutter.