Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
StoneGate
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23 Ohio |
2004-06-03 87669
We are moving to 50 ac. in the hill country of Ohio. Most of the property is woods, but about 10 ac. are pasture and homesite. I will have about 20 -25 trees to mow around on the homesite and pasture area and a pond to mow around as well. Other than about two passes on each side of a 1/4 mile gravel road that is the extent of the mowing--probably a total of about 3 ac. I have been looking at the Kubota B7800 as a tractor for working in the woods, installing fencing, general work around the property and the like. However, I also looked at the ZD21 as well as other zero turns for just mowing. Do any of you have an opinion on whether the zero turn will save much time in the mowing? If I went with the tractor only would you recommend a belly mower (60") or a rear finishing mower? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa |
2004-06-03 87671
StoneGate; How much of your mowing do you want to be front yard quality? I've had both for years and no rear mount finsh mower will give you the quality if cut that a belly mount or a dedicated front mount like the zero turn machines. If your fornt yard type mowing is a smaller part of your needs I'd suggest a good used rider for the front yard and a rear mount rotary such as a Deere MX5 for the driveway and rougher mowing. Belly mount mowers on a CUT are expensive, and real pain to remove and service. Just my thoughts, Frank. ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
tracer
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 49 boyce Va |
2004-06-03 87672
Greetings Stonegate
I would recommend a tractor with a rear mower simply because it sounds as if you will need more toys er tools to work on that much property. I have about the same situation and use both the 5ft rear mower for the open areas and a riding mower for trim and close in work. I could get by with a weed eater and just the rear mower but the wife wont run the 790 cause it scares her, she says. I have the FEL and rear blade too but I find I could use more tractor like a 990 or even a 4000 series but money and the boss say I have enough toys er tools to do the job. Shes right but I believe Get as much tractor as you can afford cuase you WILL find a use for it. Especially with as much land that you have. Take a look at the Green and Blue machines too you might find something you really like.Do test drive as much as you can. I am partial to Green but there are many factors to consider, dealer service, location and local deals available are just a few. Hope this helps.
Tracer ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
StoneGate
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23 Ohio |
2004-06-03 87673
Frank & Tracer -
Thanks for the input. I forgot to mention that I have a JD LT150. I suppose I could use it for around the trees and the tractor for the rest. This grass is not what I would consider a showpiece lawn and we probably don't care for it to be. Sounds like I could get by with the finishing mower. I expect to get a FEL, box blade and phd. I will also get a bush hog for the pasture. Any recommendations on attachments? Also, what would compare to the Kubota B7800 in green and blue in your opinions?
Thanks again,
StoneGate ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
tracer
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 49 boyce Va |
2004-06-03 87675
Stonegate
Ther is a long post that compares and contrasts the 4210 with the 7800 on the Deere owning buying page I believe. I do not have nor have I tested the orange machines much but there is much info on this board, some quite spirited, . Just do a search on either or both and you will get more than you probably want to read about the two.
Tracer ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2004-06-03 87687
You could use the JD for the tight area around the house or maybe move into a newer Z style to quicken the day to day chore of mowing and move up to a L-4300 or like to make short order of any additionl field work that might come up as well as anything you might like to do in the woods. ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin Pics |
2004-06-04 87708
I've been thinking about the Z mower or another of that type also. Other than the maneuverability it would seem that a mower that could tilt the mower deck up 90 degrees would be a big advantage for maintenance over a lawn tractor/CUT with MMM type. I've seen the big pro mowers do this. Do any of the regular zero turn mowers allow it?
Dave ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee Pics |
2004-06-04 87712
The Deere F687 does. It is a ZTR mower but it is a front mower. ....
Link: F687
 
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York Pics |
2004-06-04 87714
Kubota's Z models have front jacks built into them for fast service when needed. They also do to there advanced drive train use hydraulic PTO clutches like used on bigger farm tractors unlike the Lawn tractor electric PTO clutches used on other brands. ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
StoneGate
Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23 Ohio |
2004-06-04 87749
Thanks for all of the input. I went out and looked at the Kubotas again today. I made the mistake of driving the L3130--what a difference between the B7800 and L series! That trip probably cost me a few thousand. I still am not sure I like the Z turn mowers. I drove again and they really must take some getting used to. I am beginning to think I might just get by with the tractor with a rear finishing mower and my little JD LT150 for around the trees and trimming the edges.
Again, thanks for all the input. I will be back later for pricing info as I start to work on the deal.
StoneGate ....
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Tractor and Z Mower or just Tractor
texbaylea
Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 51 Brazos County, Texas |
2004-06-04 87758
StoneGate:
I am in the final stages of purchasing an L3130. I plan to use a 6' LandPride rear finish mower. I have a 4' LandPride RFM now that I have used for years. Keep the blades sharp and the quality of cut is excellent. That is one of the delays, the pricing on trading the current RFM. I expect to be able to mow close enough to the buildings and plantings that I can finish with a weedeater or the DR Trimmer/Mower. I am setting the L3130 up so I can do 90-95% of my work from the tractor seat. An L3130 with a FA723 loader with Quick Attach, pallet forks for the loader plus a grapple kit and tooth bar. I am convinced that it will do everything I plan on. ....
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