Go BottomRe Need 4WD for mowing a sloped lot but not much more
 | dadoffourkids
Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Franklin, Tennessee, USA 
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2004-05-02 84998
I own 5 acres but only have to mow about 2-2.5. 1.5 acres is on a pretty steep slope. I really don't need a loader or bushog, etc. I do have some woods I want to clean up, but I will probably rent the walk behind Billy Goat at the local Home Depot for that.
I purchased a John Deere L130 thinking thats all I needed, but found out that while it would cut flat area just fine, it could not handle the sloped area. It would would go down the hill but not up. In fact, it turned into a sled going down some parts of the lot.
I don't want more machine than I need, but stepping up to a 4WD that is heavier and perhaps has weight transfer seems to be the best option. Its a huge jump in price to get a Kubota 4WD BX1500, John Deere X585, Ventrac 3000, or Stiener 415.
Any recommendations? Is there something in between that will mow steep slopes?
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| jdgreen
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 232 Maryland
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2004-05-02 85004
It may not be neccasary for you to jump all the way up to a 4wd machine if you only plan to mow. The L130 is not a bad machine, but it is fairly lightweight. A heavier weight lawn tractor may be all you need depending on how steep your hills are. I once had a 1963 jd 110 that I put the ag tread rear tires on and filled the rear wheels with antifreeze. It seemed nothing could stop it. I could even drag 8 foot logs that were 14 inches in diameter and we are only talking 8 hp. Does your dealer have a sloped test drive area? That would be a big help if he would let you test drive some other models to see how they perform on hills. Or there is a possibility the machine you have now would be sufficient with some ballast or different tires, although in my opinion, for mowing 2.5 acres you might be happier with a 200 or 300 series deere or comparable model. Check the specs on different makes and models and see the difference in weights of the base machine. ....
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 | beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan 
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2004-05-02 85012
Differential lock is a tremndous help for two wheel drive machines. I'm not that familiar with JD's lawn series tractors, but if you are looking for more traction without going into four wheel drive, take a look at something with differential lock. That, along with the suggestions of the last poster could solve your problem. ....
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 | itsgottobegreen
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 329 Mt. Airy, MD
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2004-05-02 85023
jdgreen what happen to such a rare 110. I have a 64 and 65 110. Those old 110 could hook up to a new 110 and rip it in two, with out breaking a sweat. Many beleive the last real JD garden tractors were the 1967 110 and 112. Heck they were the oringal sub compact, if you got one with a johnson loader on it. They would lift 350 pounds to about 5 ft. (no power steering) ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2004-05-03 85055
Dad, it may be slightly overkill for a 2.5 acre property, but I know I can cut going uphill on slopes I can't comfortably walk up using a front deck Ferris mower of their Z-series. For homeowner use a Ferris 1000Z would be perfect. We run a big 5000Z with a 32hp Cat diesel and it just about gets airborne going over the top of the hill. That sucker will cut 7+ acres an hour!
On a machine like this both the engine and yourself sit directly above the drive wheels, add to that the fact that it is hydrostat drive so you are always running maximum hp & torque and it means these thing fly up hills.
I'm sure if you checked with one of the bigger dealers of commercial mowers in your area you could get a greally good deal on a demo or slightly used comparable model.
Best of luck. ....
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| dadoffourkids
Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Franklin, Tennessee, USA
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2004-05-03 85075
After talking with the local John Deere dealer, he advised that I get a GX255 Garden Tractor that has a locking diff. and 50% more torque than the L130. He also told me the L130 wouldn't last 5 years and that it was made only to compete with lower end stuff.
Luckily, I was able to return the John Deere to Home Depot. I had only used it once to mow the lot once (4.7 hours). So, I am back at square one. Thanks to the advise on this forum, I am becoming more educated.
Thus far, I have read recommendations for a Ventrac 3000 and a Wright Stander for slopes. However, these are very expensive...
The JD GX255 is $6,500 as well, but the Ventrac is over $9,000. I did see a used JD X585 for around $8,200 with only 20 hours on it.
I'd love to have some of these machines, but just not sure I need to invest all that money. On the other hand, I can't put a price on safety. ....
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| jdgreen
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 232 Maryland
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2004-05-03 85119
In response to itsgottobegreen, I reluctantly decided to sell my 110 a couple of years ago because the 38" deck was getting in pretty bad shape and I decided to get rid of it while it still had some value for a collector. I bought it in '84 with a blown engine for $175, Put a $300 short block in it and ran it for 17 years. I advertised it on yesterdays tractor.com and sold it for $1500. You sure can't get that kind of return on many other brands! ....
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