Go Bottom3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
 | thespaugh
Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10 Stanwood, WA 
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2008-07-24 155595
Hi newbee to the forum. I actually posted my story over in the Kubota forum 1st as I had my eyes on a b3030. I just stumbled across a JD 3120 for sale by a private owner and noticed it’s 1000# heavier than the bota (he also has the rear tires filled with Ca). The HP/PTO power is essentially the same as the b3030. Many people in the Kubota board were steering me away from the L series bota that weighs the same as this JD as they claim it’s too heavy to routinely mow my lawn. Anyone own a 3000 series JD with finish mowing experience in Pacific Northwest?
Here’s my background: I need a compact tractor for a 4 acre parcel that I’m about to being building my house on. I live about an hour north of Seattle and my land is heavily treed in areas with the remaining untried land being covered with blackberry vines most over 8ft tall. I’m hoping when the road is blasted through the heavy equipment operator can be persuaded to run over much of this blackberry mess and give me a manageable starting point for my compact tractor. They will take down the majority of the trees at the building site. With that being said my plans are to initially remove/tame the remaining weeds/BB vines (brush hog?), lay seed, do landscaping/flowerbeds, maybe some backfill work around the house, sporadic tree clearing (FEL), and eventually have about 3 acres for “finish” mowing (thinking 60” deck off rear PTO or mmm) as well as with a nice large (home-owner size) garden (PTO tiller) and a 600’ gravel drive (box blade). Also, the back of my house will be 60 ft from a 200ft cliff so mowing in this area will have some limitations on turning / space. The lot itself is fairly flat.
Is a 3000 series too heavy use as my weekly mower?
Thanks,
Chris
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina 
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2008-07-24 155598
Have you driven the area to see what people are using to cut their grass with? If there are neighbors it would be a good way to meet them to stop and ask. Most people are glad to help.
As to the thought you will get the construction company who is doing the road to take out the trees, be sure you talk to them early. Some companies here who work on roads will only work on roads.kt ....
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
 | yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan 
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2008-07-24 155601
Deere's website says it weighs 2900 lbs. I don't think that is too heavy, however, I'd get rid of liquid filled tires for finish mowing. What type of tires does it have?
I'd take off the FEL when mowing.
With the money you're saving by getting used and comparing the cost of purchasing a MMM and MM PTO or finish mower in addition to a brush hog, you can get a decent Zero turn for finishing. You could then leave the filled tires, and get a brush hog for rougher mowing.
You can get a new Toro 50" zero turn with bagger for about $3,400.00. That will out mow most utility tractors even with a larger deck. It has a light foot print and lets the wife or kids mow while you're doing other heavier work. ....
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
 | nosteiner4me
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 113 ohio
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2008-07-24 155604
thespaugh....I looked at the 3000 series JD and went 1000 pounds lighter with the JD2520 for my 5 acres. The 3000 series is very nice too, but at that weight, you better be pretty dry to mow weekly, also you may not get a good finished look after the 3500 lb tractor smashes the grass down before the deck hits it, and you will leave ruts, so you'll need to alternate mowing for sure. I can feel some of my ruts when i alternate weekly mowing and i'm at 2400lbs. good luck with your choice. ....
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa
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2008-07-25 155620
I like Yoper's idea. Yes get rid of the tire fluid, I know iron is pricey, but a leaky tire with fluid you you just don't want. There are tons of nice used mowers on the lots. This time of year I think a dealer would be a bit negocable rather than carry them till spring.
Wow, a 200ft. cliff, that is a LONG ways down. Don't think I'd be mowing in the dark. Frank. ....
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
| nuruc7
Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7
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2008-12-19 158685
I mow weekly on land with slopes and I bought my 3520 and then bought a used 2006 7 Iron 72" MMM deck. I also had a set of Turf Special tires from my previous tractor, that were purchased from a dealer after they failed to sell on eBay. My combo works well and it allows me to mow when the grass is wet, but not soaked, as that means typically the ground is really wet and the weight of the tractor will make trails. ....
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Add Photo3000 series JD too heavy to use as weekly mower in Seattle
| nuruc7
Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7
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2008-12-19 158686
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Yeah, I would also put something in the way like a guardrail to at least give me a chance to jump off of the tractor if I did mow at night and inadvertently got to close to the edge :C ....
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