Which tractor for a 72 inch belly mower?

[Bikewanderer]

I知 trying to find a pre-emissions late model low hour tractor to run a 72 inch belly mower, with 25 hp or so and 1500-2000#. I have a deere and Kubota right now and would like to stick with one of those brands because there are dealerships nearby. I called both dealerships and I知 having trouble getting straight answers about used tractors. Basically if they don稚 have it they don稚 really want to tell me about it. It痴 hard to believe I知 having so much trouble, but I don稚 know which models to search for online and many of the tractors but I do find are equipped in that I don稚 want, like with a loader. I知 looking to stay late 90s- early2000痴.

So far, I致e found the following

Kubota 7510
Kubota 7800
Deere 4310
Deere 855
Deere 955

any other models I should look at?

 

[tlj87]

Do you need a hydro transmission? If not, then the larger of the JD 70 series offered a 72” MMM (870 970 1070). Also look at the New Holland TC series and Kubota L series, both offered hydro, gear/shuttle options with MMM.

 

[RickB]

1. If you are looking for a 20 year old tractor to run a belly mower the best choices already have a mower installed. Finding a tractor that old then expecting to put a mower under it can easily lead to heartache.
2. If choosing a gear drive tractor (which I would not) make sure it has live PTO.

 

[fatjay]

Find a machine that is already equipped with a 72" belly mower, Kubota and deere have propritary mid mount points and lifting mechanism's, it's going to be a pain to retrofit your mower to the tractor you buy. Package deal is the way to go. I tried to retrofit a belly mower onto my b8200 and it did not go well.

I was shopping for a 60" mower with deck a while back. I had a 60" 3pt finish mower. It was a pain in the *** as I would turn and it would swing out. Maybe a field with strait cuts, but never for anything you have to maneuver around. I ended up with a kubota zd21 60" zero turn and I absolutely love it. They make a kubota zd28 which is around the age you're looking for, with a 72" deck and if it's anything like my zd21, it's an amazing machine. There's one for sale locally for $4500, 3cyl diesel 28hp with 1200 hours.

 

[Bikewanderer]

Do you need a hydro transmission? If not, then the larger of the JD 70 series offered a 72” MMM (870 970 1070). Also look at the New Holland TC series and Kubota L series, both offered hydro, gear/shuttle options with MMM.

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback that I would be much happier with a hydro. I’m not really sure. My current mower is a deere 455 which is hydro and I like it. My current tractor is a L3400 gear and I don’t mind it too much, but I was unhappy with the 3pt mower on it.

 

[tlj87]

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback that I would be much happier with a hydro. I’m not really sure. My current mower is a deere 455 which is hydro and I like it. My current tractor is a L3400 gear and I don’t mind it too much, but I was unhappy with the 3pt mower on it.

The John Deere 4500, 4600, 4700 would be the large frame hydro compacts in the 20 year old range. 4300 and 4400 would be the medium frame units from the same era. The same models with a 10 on the end would be one iteration newer.

 

[metalbender]

Why a tractor for a mower? Get a ZT with the required deck.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Why a tractor for a mower? Get a ZT with the required deck.

I have about 2.5 acres to mow. When I bought my front mount F-935 it cut my mowing time to 2.5 hours. With the three point mower on my 4410 I was at about 3.5 hours. I imagine that a zero turn would cut that time down even more. I wouldn't bother with a mid mount mower on a tractor. Just get a zero turn or a front mount. Sell your 455 and the three point mower. Or keep one of them and mow lawn together with your wife. Then your done even sooner.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

How much area are you cutting, and are you wanting a fine finish grade of cut like a park or golf course, or are you just rough cutting pasture? Any brush cutting mixed into that?

I think you're going to run thin on horse power trying to cut with a 6 foot mower and only 25 hp. How often are you going to cut this?

 

[Bikewanderer]

I知 cutting about 8 acres. Not too many trees or other obstacles. Right now it痴 a pretty rough cut but as I get things cleaned up I知 trying to maintain it better. I have a total of 40 acres, so having a second tractor bothers a lot of utility. I have you zero turns before and have never been very impressed with how they handle it muddy conditions like I have around my pond. I知 afraid I壇 be stuck all the time.

 

[Milo]

I see B7510 on your list and I doubt if a 72" mmm was ever available for this tractor nor could it run one it it was. I had a B7500 (about the same tractor) with a 54" mmm. The other option was either of two 60" decks which I'm sure it would have handled just fine, but a 72" deck would have been too much.

You might look for a B2650 with a 72" mmm.

 

[Bikewanderer]

Thanks. Ill look that model up. Part of the problem I am having is understanding the model options. The B2650 doesn’t sound comparable to a B7510....wouldn’t have known to search for it. Dealership isn’t being helpful because they don’t have anything to sell me.

 

[Rob in wny]

I recently picked up a JD 4200 hydro that had a 72" MMM. Its a 2000. Any of the JD 4xxx medium or large frame tractors can handle the 72" mower. I would think the 8xx and larger tractors could also handle it. I agree it would be better to find one that has a mower mounted as the mounts are proprietary.

 

[skipperbrown]

B2650? No emissions added on and the HP to cut 72". 72" mower is a drive over. However, it's a big B. You won't get a really tight turning radius and the rops needs 8' clearance.

 

[Bikewanderer]

I recently picked up a JD 4200 hydro that had a 72" MMM. Its a 2000. Any of the JD 4xxx medium or large frame tractors can handle the 72" mower. I would think the 8xx and larger tractors could also handle it. I agree it would be better to find one that has a mower mounted as the mounts are proprietary.

One of the ones I’m looking at is the 4310. How do you like yours for mowing?

 

[ruffdog]

The New Holland TC33d I had mowed great with the 72" belly mower. The tractor had the Supersteer option so it maneuvered a bit better than the standard one. With the side chute removed, it laid the clippings out real nice with limited clumping. Things to check before you buy: Does the tractor turn sharp without tearing up the sod? Can you pin the deck in the up position so you can use the 3pt like for tilling? Does the deck cut clean so your yard looks nice? Is the deck noisy or quiet? Is the deck easy to remove for cleaning/maintenance? Normally, larger deck wheels ride over bumps better too. Do the wheels look robust?

 

[Rob in wny]

I'm not sure how well it mows, grass isn't growing this time of year here in NY. The previous owner was a local fire company and they mowed a couple acres around the fire hall with it for 18 years, so i would say it mows well.

Rob