When are you too heavy for a finish mower?

[Tim_in_IA]

I've been considering a finish mower for what I will call a UT, since it may not really be a CUT. It would be a 3pt rear discharge. The specs for my tractor state that it tips the scales at around 6200+ lbs without any options. Am I too heavy to keep from tracking up the lawn? Keep in mind that I'm not running a golf course here, just a home with a yard that takes me too long to mow by push mower.

The tractor is a 6500 Mahindra 4wd 65HP+. It also has AG tires (non ballasted).

Thanks much!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Tim, I like to restore old stuff and for the most part that stuff is cast iron, heavy and with agricultural tires. I have yet to drive one of those on my yard that did NOT leave nasty ruts. I blame the R1's more than the overall weight. But you are looking at a 3+ ton tractor, which, when you fill the fuel tank, put yourself in the seat and an implement on it, will EASILY exceed 7000#. For field mowing that would be a nice ticket, but for mowing around your wife's rose bushes I think you will find the results less than satisfactory. What else are you using the tractor for? If not for real ag uses, would you consider switching tires to R4's, they have a softer footprint on the lawn.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

Hi Bob,

The lawn would have just been a plus, not the primary use. I'll be using this tractor for building site prep, baling, FEL, livestock cleanup (manure), fencing, backhoe work, logging, brush cutting ........ and on and on /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Just thought instead of using a whole weekend day mowing the lawn that I could make a few quick passes with the tractor and then do the touch-up by hand.

It's one of those things you know you shouldn't do, but for some reason you still wanna try /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I'll probably wait a few years and then use this as a good excuse to tinker with an old 2cyl jinma, or maybe a newer tractor with hydrostatic drive /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

 

[timb]

As long as you're talking about the tractor and not the driver! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think you're far too heavy - at least for our type of soils in PA. If your soil drains better and stays firm you might be better off.

Our 6000 lb-ish (with loader and filled R1 tires) JD4710 runs the range from at least small tread pattern marks on a dry week to fairly substantial ruts when it's been wet. (Heavy clay soil).

Our old 3500 lb. Ford Jubilee (filled R1's) rarely leaves a rut, and when it's dry leaves no more sign of it's passing than a heavy garden tractor. Only when it's wet does it leave noticeable marks.

I'd say 3000 lbs is about the cut-off to be really safe on R1s. Using turfs or 'galaxy' turfs you can get away with a lot more weight. I've seen Deere 5000 series utilities on golf course greens with the right tires.

 

[EastTexFrank]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> It's one of those things you know you shouldn't do, but for some reason you still wanna try </font> )</font>

Now that sounds like the story of my life !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I'm with the others, those ag tires will tear the heck out of your yard if the ground is the slightest bit wet or damp. After the winter, I have to blade the ground in front of the barn because it gets so rutted and rough running tractors over it when it's wet.

Have you thought about picking up an old, used rider to use for a couple of years? Just about anything has to be better than spending hours being dragged around by a walk-behind during the summer heat.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I have an old, old, old Allis B-10 that I am restoring. I used to use it on my parents farm. Just have to rebuild the carb and find a gas tank that has a bottom /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Also rebuilt an Ariens 16hp (yeah right) for my father down the road. Runs good, just have to make some final adjustments.

We have hard clay as well, but we are up on a hill so it rarely gets soaked. Seems to do the exact opposite and reject the moisture. I've driven my IH 400 around and I haven't noticed too much wear from the tires, but then again I don't really drive through the lawn when it is wet. That's when I get my inside projects done.

And yes, this operator probably adds a decent amount of weight to any setup! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MetalChicken]

Hi Tim,

I don't know what the answer will be but I've been using my 50hp International 484 with an 8' rear finish mower for a couple of years and it's been fine. I do have turf tyres fitted, but they're not as wide as they should be. This tractor weighs about 4800lbs.



I've currently fixing up a 1997 Case 4230 (80HP 4WD) that I managed to buy real cheap as the front axle had been broken off in a car accident. This tractor weighs about 7000lbs but the Ag tyres fitted right now are pretty wide and I reckon its 'footprint' is about the same as the 484. I will be fitting either turf tyres or R4 type tyres to this when I an afford it.



My soil is very light and sandy so doesn't really hold water much which is good considering I'm in the UK. Over here 4WD tractors with about 60-90HP are now considered 'compact' and are very regularly used for turf maintenance when fitted with the correct tyres.

Although I really only have this tractor becuase it looked like a challenge to get it back working having been sat in a yard for 2-3 years, I am hoping to use it for a bit of contract mowing work as a distraction from my IT business. It's got a nice cab anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif



If you look here http://www.major-grasscare.com/groundscare/trailed.htm you see a mower that would be great for my tractor if only my CFO would agree!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

Tim, I'm interested to know what you meant by, <font color="blue"> "Also rebuilt an Ariens 16hp (yeah right) for my father down the road." </font>
My brother has had a large Ariens for greater than 20 years that's still going strong and does a fine cut job on his grass. John

 

[slowzuki]

Depending on the size of yard, price a big ride-on vs a rear discharge mower. Rear discharge mower is $$$ here.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I was referring to the 16hp claims. It is commenly discussed that lawn mower hp is grossly overstated. Nothing bad about the company implied here. Actually it is a good mower but the previous owner neglected it and repaired it improperly. Had to replace a lot of parts. Now just need to get the deck spinning relaibly. Seems to have some kind of clutch.