Go BottomMF 1240-4 too big for mowing
 | Gary Conley
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2001-04-27 27298
Hi All -I've been reading the board for months now, and have picked up a lot of info from you all! I'm looking really hard at a new MF 1240-4, R4s, GB 240 FEL, w/ 72" finishing mower, but still have some reservations. One frequent use of the rig will be mowing - we have about 2 flattish to sloped acres (some steep banks) with a small orchard that I currently mow with a 16HP garden tractor with 46" deck - it takes a while! Anyway, part of the yard is damp the first two or so months of the mowing season, and I'm a bit concerned that the 1240 with ballasted R4s might be too much for my grass. Anyone with this configuration care to comment? My other option (albeit a bit more expensive) is to go for a MF 1235 - saves about 600 lbs or so. I also have several acres of mountainside with access roads that I'd like to maintain, plus I'd like to skid out the occasional log, move plenty of dirt (the house is new, and the "landscaping" looks like it), and maintain about a mile of dirt road. And that's exclusive of what my father-in-law is likely to get into, as he maintains an acre or so of garden and a hundred or so apple trees (turn-about is fair play - I've been borrowing his toys for years!) Anyway, I'd love to hear anyone's experiences with either the 1240 or 1235. Thanks!Gary ConleyCrozet, VA
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2001-04-29 27338
My Ford 1710 weighs just under 2500 lbs. w/o loader. I run turf tires--probably unloaded. I mow 2-acres with a 12hp riding mower, mostly because it would take too long to maneuver the 1710 around trees bushes and buildings. When I do drive the tractor on the lawn, it works, but isn't real good for the sod. It will compact the sod if it's wet, and it will tear sod in sharp turns. It's a good idea for me to keep it out of 4wd on the lawn and don't go on it at all when it's wet. Industrial tires will do more damage. Most of the sod damage comes from the front tires in turns. The front tires are smaller and carry the engine and loader weight. Removing the bucket and carrying some weight on the 3ph would lessen the damage, but weight on the 3ph ceases to be ballast when a floated implement is used. All things considered, I think that tractors around 2500 lbs. with turfs are OK for lawns, but some care has to be taken in their use. And of course, more care is needed as the weight goes up. I can't remember where, but somebody who has industrials commented about the tires on his lawn. I don't think he was real happy with them except when the sod was dry. Lighter is better for lawns, but then a smaller tractor may be limiting for the rest of the work. I'm in a similar situation. I need a tractor at least the size of the 1710 for everything I do except mowing. I just keep telling myself that I can do the mowing with the riding mower faster anyway. Don't know what I'm going to tell myself when the riding mower breaks down. ....
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| John Miller, III
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-04-29 27339
Gary,
My friend had considered a 1250 for mowing his 10+ acre estate lawn. After considering other "things" he was going to be using the tractor for... I got him into a MF1165. He has the Massey loader{not mounted when mowing}, loaded Galaxy turfs with windshield washer fluid, and pulls a 12' Bat-wing mower to do his lawn... So I don't know how many more thousands of pounds that is over the 1240, but It's working out Great for him! ....
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| Gary Conley
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-05-01 27602
Thanks for the responses! I spent three hours Saturday at the dealership, riding around on different tractors. I definitely liked the ride and stability of the 1240 w/FEL - drove it all around a right steep hill, turning this way and that, two and four wheel drive. The AG tires chewed up the grass right bad, so they're definitely out. I tried a 1230 with FEL and turf tires, and it really handled well, but I didn't care for that FEL control lever banging against my thigh. The only unit they had available with R4s was a 1233 - man, that thing like to beat me to death! I think the seat was bolted straight to the transmission housing! Anyway, I tried the same maneuvers on the hill with the R4s, and they didn't tear anything up except the loose dirt. Probably not the best test, since the 1233 didn't have a loader or fluid in the tires, but I think I can make do with the R4s. If push comes to shove, I can always continue to mow the damp areas I'm worried about using the little garden tractor.
So... I went ahead and filled out the paperwork on the 1240 with GB 240 FEL, First Choice 72" finishing mower, and 5' box blade. Now, if they can only get the R4s! Sounds like I'll have to wait at least a week before I can get my hands on the beast, but I guess that gives me time to talk the boss into letting me off for a day or two...
Thanks again,
Gary Conley
Crozet, VA ....
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| Jim Youtz
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-05-01 27639
You should be fine with this set-up and with R-4 tires, but I would mow in 2wd, loader removed and without loaded tires. It's easy to add ballast on the 3 point hitch when you need it for loader work and then remove for mowing, but once your tires are filled, you're stuck. Everyone I've talked to advises against filling tires if you're going to be working on sod. ....
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 | Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
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2001-05-12 28079
Gary;
I recently made a change from a JD750 4X with loader to a 950 4X with loader. In the interm I too home a MF 1250 to test 4x with loader. I liked the 1250 and the price, but I found I had less push, for digging than the 750 which is considerally less power and turf tires. The tires on the 750 were filled this made a difference in push and stability. The MF had the industrial tires on it and it did dig into the lawn even with out water. Even with the 750 I had to be carefull with the 4 wheel taking it out on turns.
The 955 does not have the tires filled, but as it is lower tends to have good stability. I have industrial tires on the back and turf on the front. This gives good performance on the grass and better traction in the dirt.
I use a 3 point hitch finish mower and have found it easy enough around the trees. The hydrostatic drive is well worth it as it allows you to slow down around the turns while keeping the mower turning.
I did not remove the loader on the 750 but the 955 I have removed it on occasion for mowing. The 3 pt mower allows you to back under low limbs of trees. I am not sure I would like a belly mower, the 3 pt is much easier to remove.
The 750 is closer to 2500lb + water but the 955 is more like 2000 with out the loader.
Eric ....
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