Go BottomTrimming after using Compact Tractor long
 | Don M
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 120 myLocation 
|
2001-04-29 27364
[You can skip to the summary at the end if you're in a hurry.]I am looking for a mower for our new property to handle the lawn by the house (less than 1/2 acre), plus the mowing of several small semi-enclosed patches and trimming around the rest of 2 to 3 acres. I have a compact tractor with 60" rear mower which I use for the main cutting, but not on the house lawn. Except for the house lawn, the grounds are a little rough. I'd call it "barnyard" quality. Some minor slopes. Long gravel drive to mow along. Several low branched trees and big bushes that need a deck than can fit under there without dragging me into the branches too.I tried a 50" Simplicity Landlord garden tractor but it's almost too big for the lawn and definitely not the right machine for the trim-out in the rougher area. It can't get under the bushes, it's too big for the small parcels, and the occasional gravel and rough stuff is making me feel bad about using it there.My dad has a baby Dixon 11HP ztr, about 30-32". I am going to try it at my place but it rides rough in his yard and I think my stuff will be too rough for it. The tires are very small. Plus it still can't get under the bushes and trees. A regular 21" self-propelled is out of the question. Too much to cover and too rough in the trimming area.I have driven my dad's Dixon. I don't feel I need *ZERO* radius, but it is handy. I have never driven a front-mower, like the JD 510/525 and other brands. The local Toro guy has a Groundsmaster 120 that looks sweet, but is probably overkill and maybe too big to boot.My neighbor has a Troy Bilt wide walk-behind self-propelled, that looks like it could be a great choice. Toro has a line of "Mid-Size Mowers" that also looks right to me.I'd like whatever I get to be usable by my wife and young teenagers. I want the kids to do their part, and they want to do it too. So electric start would be a major plus and easy handling is a must. Also quiet & smooth would be great.I am mechanically inclined and like buying used stuff, that way I don't worry about scratches and such, and I like bargains. And, if I buy the wrong thing, I don't have to a suffer a loss to sell it and start looking again. But I won't rule out a new one. The biggest thing is that I have to figure out what to buy.It's been a long post, so to summarize:-1/2 acre lawn plus a lot of trimming under/around big bushes where compact tractor with rear mower can't go;-Barnyard type roughness;-Easy to handle by 100 lb. non-mechanical womenfolk.I think I have the ZTR experience figured out. If you have experience with front-mowers or big walk mowers, please post.Thanks!-Don M
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoTrimming after using Compact Tractor long
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
 Pics
|
2001-04-30 27390
OK, I'll bite for the $64.00 question........ Why don't you just cut the entire place with the 3pth 60" deck? You already own & are using it, why not do everything with it? Best of luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoTrimming after using Compact Tractor long
| kay
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2001-04-30 27391
Don Get a JD 400 series (425, 445, 455) with 54" deck and all wheel steer. You will not need a trim mower (at most a good, heavy duty string mower that will also take a brush blade). They are rugged, low (if you can walk under the branches, you can easily mow with these), fast, comfortable wheel size, and great fun. Plenty of equipment such as blowers, vacuums, blades, brooms, etc. Sounds like cutting the limbs so you can walk under them is one of the first major decisions. Go for it. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This