What did you do to or on your Kubota today?

[NCL4701]

I've never owned a zero turn but am curious as to the advantages of that cute little guy over a zero turn. Is that you can run other attachments?

I haven't started cutting yet and will probably spray Milestone before any cutting. If I cut I'm concerned that clippings will prevent the poison from getting to the leaves of the knapweed.

Short answer: My wife wanted it and I’m happy with it.

I had a Cub zero turn for several years. I liked the zero turn. When my son lived at home, he liked using it. I have nothing negative to say about zero turns.

Long answer: Wife hated the zero turn. First time she used it, after a few minutes I thought she was good so left her to it. 30 minutes later she came in mad as a wet hen. Said she got it stuck and needed help. Somehow she had it hung up on a log 75’ outside the back yard going downhill toward the pond. I didn’t ask questions, just got a long rope. 15 years later, I’m still afraid to ask how she did that.

She tried it one more time but never got the memo that if you don’t keep both wheels moving (you turn with one wheel stationary) it tears up the grass. You can have one going forward and one going backward, just have to keep them moving. So she complained it tore up the grass when she mowed, it was scary to drive, and she wouldn’t use it.

Before I retired from my W2 gig, she liked to mow. She wanted a push mower. Told her we had too much grass for that but she wanted to mow and get exercise so we have a Honda push mower she used a couple years for the front yard only. Our son or I mowed everything else with the Cub.

Then she wanted a lawn tractor style like the old MTD we had back in the day. So we gave the Cub ZTR to our son (who by that time had a yard and was happy to get the mower on which he learned to drive). I agreed with the condition we weren’t buying another MTD box store POS. We could look at something like the Kubota GR series or JD X700 or a Kubota BX , but it had to be a decent quality piece of equipment. So we went to a local dealer that had BX’s and GR’s. I wasn’t aware the T series existed, but they had a couple of those as well. We test drove all three. The BX was pretty sweet. With a backhoe and loader (my preference) it was somewhat north of $20K. BX to her specs (no loader or backhoe) was within a couple hundred dollars of the GR. T was half that price. We both agreed it was either a BX or the T. After some thought, she didn’t want look at JD. She really, really wanted the T and I was good with the build quality so we took it home.

To my recollection, she’s mowed the yard with it once. Maybe twice. It has better cut quality than the Cub, a much tighter turning radius than most of the tractor style riders I’ve driven, and the reverse kill switch over ride button turns the reverse kill switch off until you either push it again or disengage the blades. JD at that time had a reverse kill switch over ride but you had to hold it down continuously while reversing. In our yard, ability to reverse with blades engaged is a non-negotiable.

Edit: Don’t ask about the variety of vehicles I’ve bought and sold for her. That would be “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” Off Topic thread of its own.

 

[edritchey]

Short answer: My wife wanted it and I’m happy with it.

I had a Cub zero turn for several years. I liked the zero turn. When my son lived at home, he liked using it. I have nothing negative to say about zero turns.

Long answer: Wife hated the zero turn. First time she used it, after a few minutes I thought she was good so left her to it. 30 minutes later she came in mad as a wet hen. Said she got it stuck and needed help. Somehow she had it hung up on a log 75’ outside the back yard going downhill toward the pond. I didn’t ask questions, just got a long rope. 15 years later, I’m still afraid to ask how she did that.

She tried it one more time but never got the memo that if you don’t keep both wheels moving (you turn with one wheel stationary) it tears up the grass. You can have one going forward and one going backward, just have to keep them moving. So she complained it tore up the grass when she mowed, it was scary to drive, and she wouldn’t use it.

Before I retired from my W2 gig, she liked to mow. She wanted a push mower. Told her we had too much grass for that but she wanted to mow and get exercise so we have a Honda push mower she used a couple years for the front yard only. Our son or I mowed everything else with the Cub.

Then she wanted a lawn tractor style like the old MTD we had back in the day. So we gave the Cub ZTR to our son (who by that time had a yard and was happy to get the mower on which he learned to drive). I agreed with the condition we weren’t buying another MTD box store POS. We could look at something like the Kubota GR series or JD X700 or a Kubota BX , but it had to be a decent quality piece of equipment. So we went to a local dealer that had BX’s and GR’s. I wasn’t aware the T series existed, but they had a couple of those as well. We test drove all three. The BX was pretty sweet. With a backhoe and loader (my preference) it was somewhat north of $20K. BX to her specs (no loader or backhoe) was within a couple hundred dollars of the GR. T was half that price. We both agreed it was either a BX or the T. After some thought, she didn’t want look at JD. She really, really wanted the T and I was good with the build quality so we took it home.

To my recollection, she’s mowed the yard with it once. Maybe twice. It has better cut quality than the Cub, a much tighter turning radius than most of the tractor style riders I’ve driven, and the reverse kill switch over ride button turns the reverse kill switch off until you either push it again or disengage the blades. JD at that time had a reverse kill switch over ride but you had to hold it down continuously while reversing. In our yard, ability to reverse with blades engaged is a non-negotiable.

Edit: Don’t ask about the variety of vehicles I’ve bought and sold for her. That would be “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” Off Topic thread of its own.

Since I just purchased one of the T2290s with the 48" deck I really liked reading a honest review like this.

I hope the dealer delivers mine next week it should last me a long time since I do the majority of my cutting with a zero turn mower. I think most people that mow with a zero turn mower would't go back to a riding mower unless there was a reason or reasons they needed the rider for other task. After you get used to mowing with a zero turn it will cut your mowing time in half.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

Sorted and stored logs I cut a few months ago for my milling project. I’m new to it, we’ll see how it goes. It’s red pine that’s very straight and tight grained, but rather small (logs are 6-11” diameter inside the bark at the narrower end). I’ll be using a Logosol chainsaw mill will a Stihl 661.

 

[biketopia]

To my recollection, she’s mowed the yard with it once. Maybe twice.

My wife likes/liked to cut the grass at our place, before the kids, at least. When we first moved in, we had an old rear steer SCAG death machine. That thing was fun and terrifying at the same time. Traded it to a buddy, then ended up selling it but picked up a SCAG Truf Tiger zero turn, what a game changer in grass cutting.

We have 5 acres that are mostly old pasture or rolling hills, so ALL grass. We would do some combination of the old scag and a finish mower behind the B, which was slow, tore up the yard in places, etc. Got the zero turn...Man, I could fly, turn fast, not destroy the yard, and get a much better cut. There was a learning curve for her, but she did a lot of the mowing the first year or so after our son was born. Then, not a lot of the following, and last year she was pregnant or had just given birth, so she didn't want to bounce around. This year, I'm sure she'll be jonesing to get back on it.

 

[NCL4701]

I think most people that mow with a zero turn mower would't go back to a riding mower unless there was a reason or reasons they needed the rider for other task. After you get used to mowing with a zero turn it will cut your mowing time in half.

I think you’re generally right on both points. For us, going from the MTD tin foil origamy “tractor” to the Cub ZTR cut yard mowing time from 80 minutes to 40. The time with the T is 45 minutes. Of course that’s specific to one yard and not applicable to all scenarios.

The best cut quality ground speed for the Cub was much faster than the MTD and the MTD turn radius was about the same as my L4701 so there was a lot of back and forth changing direction, fiddling around trees and hardscape, etc. The T’s best cut quality ground speed is comparable to the Cub ZTR (possibly a bit faster) and the much tighter turn radius compared to the MTD results in much less backing up and fiddling around objects. The T I can spin around a 12” tree within a couple inches without backing up and cut within a couple inches all the way around a 3’x3’ square transformer pad without backing up. Turn radius kind of reminds me of driving our old row crop H; the wheels turn so far, if you turn them to lock sitting still and go forward it’s quite likely to just go straight pushing the tires sideways. If you turn to lock while moving, it makes a very tight turn.

 

[RCW]

Beautiful day yesterday to start working on 15 yards of crusher run for the driveway.

Great part of being retired, I can take a couple days to distribute as needed.

I always will go back with the boxblade over a few weeks to adjust as necessary.





Geddy helped…….of course….



Neighbor pulled his maple taps and tubing other day, so was able to get at a dead maple the utility cut down. Will make good bonfire wood.

 

[Botamon]

Spent about an hour renewing the firebreak around my buildings - bare ground to make it more difficult for a range fire to get to them.

 

[dirtydeed]

Mini Ex trigger warning...if you get triggered by mini's then it'd be best for you to look away.

Did another side job yesterday evening into today. Referral job for some people that I've done work at their neighbors and mothers place.

The job was to plant some privacy/screening trees/shrubs to block traffic noise and block out a drug dealing neighbor house.

Loaded up with the Chinesium auger:



diggy diggy (or augy-augy in this case)







Trees (green giants) in the holes





all 32 holes done with 16 green giants in the holes within 3 hours time.

Today, installation of some Schip Laurel across the front yard. This was a long day with watering in taking the most time in the planting process for both the Schip and Green Giants



done. Beautiful soil. I've never seen anything like it and very deep.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Mini Ex trigger warning...if you get triggered by mini's then it'd be best for you to look away.

Did another side job yesterday evening into today. Referral job for some people that I've done work at their neighbors and mothers place.

The job was to plant some privacy/screening trees/shrubs to block traffic noise and block out a drug dealing neighbor house.

Loaded up with the Chinesium auger:

View attachment 172521

diggy diggy (or augy-augy in this case)

View attachment 172522

View attachment 172523

View attachment 172524

Trees (green giants) in the holes

View attachment 172525

View attachment 172526

all 32 holes done with 16 green giants in the holes within 3 hours time.

Today, installation of some Schip Laurel across the front yard. This was a long day with watering in taking the most time in the planting process for both the Schip and Green Giants

View attachment 172527

done. Beautiful soil. I've never seen anything like it and very deep.

View attachment 172528

View attachment 172529

Does getting ‘turned on a little’ count as triggered?

It’s threads like these that make me wish there was a drooling emoji.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I didn't see or touch either Kubota BX tractor today.
But the BX 2370 touched my wallet.
I did 97 hours of trouble free lawn mowing with that machine last year and it needs some TLC.
A quick trip out to the local Kubota dealership.
Engine oil & filter.
Antifreeze for a coolant change/flush.
Air Filter.
Double/joined "V" belt for the 60" deck. I will keep the original for an emergency spare.
Set of 6 "corn springs" (cup washers) where the mower blades mount to the deck spindles.
Set of three mower blades.
3 Kubota "T" shirts.
And that put a hurting on $400.

 

[number two]

Where is all the snow guys?
Lots left here!
Good Luck!

 

[McMXi]

Loaded up with the Chinesium auger:
done. Beautiful soil. I've never seen anything like it and very deep.

With dirt like that you could have an auger made of wood and still get the job done! Not a stone in sight let alone a rock. The only thing stoned apparently are the neighbors next door.

Good job as always.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

It’s threads like these that make me wish there was a drooling emoji.

Here it is:



I am drooling as well but a quick glance at my bank account balance brings me back to reality

 

[RunAmok Ranch]

Saw the left steering ball joint failure while moving dirt to fill raised garden beds. Now I'm hunting fastest parts availability for both left and right because if the left one was this bad, the right one cant be much better.

Parts were $221 (for two) on Amazon vs $376 (for one) from Kubota. Either way had a 1 week delivery.
Amazon parts went on without issue.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Continued to work on clearing up the old corn crib area.

Got most of the building removed from the site.

View attachment 172435

Still need to work on getting it leveled so I can then bring in the rock before we get the connex delivered.

During the project of moving the old building pieces to the burn pile, I noticed a shiney bolt in the pathway. I got out and picked it up and thought this isn't going to be good. Started looking over the tractor and found that the bolt was from the rear tire rim. Well, I figured I was done for the day, no way I would find the washer and nut. Looked around just a little, didn't see anything, so put the tractor up and started to head to the house. Walked past where I found the bolt, about three feet past that I noticed a washer. Well, at least I won't have to buy a washer now. Walked about six feet more, there was the nut.

View attachment 172436

Went back to the barn, put the bolt back on the tire and finished hauling the stuff to the burn pile.

This weekend will break out the torque wrench and go through all the bolts on the tires to make sure nothing else is loose.

I will have to admit, I had never checked those bolts. (see picture below)

View attachment 172438

Why I didn't think about checking those, I have no idea. Was really good about checking the others and making sure they were torqued. Lesson learned and all it cost me was a few minutes of time, so I was fortunate.

Hmm…. I don’t remember seeing an indication in the manual to check those. I never have! What is the spec for torque on those?

 

[The Evil Twin]

Finished up everything I could do with the tractor this morning. Driveway surface needs some attention with a shovel now. Carted all the tools, generator, paint, etc back in the bucket.
I really need to buy a battery circular saw! That will have to wait until after I install the Ghost opener. Speaking of which, can anyone confirm they (Ghost Controls) will work with Homelink in a Ford?

 

[Trustable]

Put my new pivot bushing on my snowblower since the original one fell off due to my error when putting it back on.

Also found the cotter pin from it on my driveway now that the snow is melted off it. I have high hopes I’ll find the actual pivot bushing once it all melts if I found the pin! That or I’ll hit it with the mower and send it to my neighbors property.

Found it today embedded in my driveway!

 

[McMXi]

I got my friend's snow blade out of the dump trailer today, and hopefully I'll remember how I rigged it when he comes over in early June to pick it up. It was just about perfect on the hook. He has an F-250 short bed with a toolbox in the bed so he's probably going to be heading West with the tailgate down.

I've had some nice short sections of chain in the toolbox for a few years and used them today. I think they were part of the snow chains that I bought when I had the first MX. I sold those chains but kept the extensions or whatever they are. The links are welded and the cross section is rectangular rather than round. Kind of useful when combined with some small shackles that came with the Del Morino flail.

 

[dirtydeed]

Today was a "cleanup on aisle 5" day. It finally dried out enough that I could haul out the white pine and doug fir from a couple of months ago.







a little debris "blending" in the woods



job done. I'm actually tired from walking to and from home shuttling equipment. The job is "next door" but I must've walked a few miles.

Orange pair at rest.

 

[KubotaHawg]

Not much today, used my orange hydraulic wheelbarrow to mix topsoil and chicken shiitake for wife’s herb garden.

Meanwhile the chooks cleaned the box blade and tires—about the closest this tractor gets to a cleaning…