Considering a compact tractor for mowing. For anyone with a 60 inch deck, how is the finish cut compared to say, a zero turn. Specifically, is the blade speed sufficient to get nice cut, and do the r14 tires tear up the yard? Thanks for all replies
Kubota mowing deck ??
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I've started using a BX for mowing in the past few months, using the 60" deck. The cut quality is better than my Husqvarna riding mower it replaced, and less likely to scalp any areas (I have lots of hills, knolls, dips, etc). I can't compare to a ZT as I don't have one, but you can't tell the difference where my yard adjoins the neighbor's yard where he mows with a ZT. I haven't gotten down on the ground to actually examine the cut on each blade of grass, but no complaints on mine. It mows the all-grass areas very nicely, but I have to slow down a bit more for the tougher crabgrass areas. I typically mow at 3k rpm, so blade speed doesn't seem to be an issue. Clean cut, no stragglers.
I'm running turf tires, with NO extra weight on my machine aside from the mowing deck. It's close to tearing grass up on the full-lock, tight turns, but so far, no worse than the old mower. The BX has much better traction due to the weight though, so I'm not spinning an inside tire like I often was on the old mower, so I'm definitely tearing up less grass that way now. With a full set of wheels and R4 tires being only $500 from the dealership, I'll be getting a set to run in the winter and put the turfs in storage.
I'm running turf tires, with NO extra weight on my machine aside from the mowing deck. It's close to tearing grass up on the full-lock, tight turns, but so far, no worse than the old mower. The BX has much better traction due to the weight though, so I'm not spinning an inside tire like I often was on the old mower, so I'm definitely tearing up less grass that way now. With a full set of wheels and R4 tires being only $500 from the dealership, I'll be getting a set to run in the winter and put the turfs in storage.
The 60" terrain following deck on my B1750 (bought new in 1993) is by far the best mowing deck that I have owned. Blade speed is fine, and grass clearance is very good. For multiple reasons, I'm not a fan of suspended decks currently used on most CUTS/SCUTS.
Cannot use ZTRs in all of my parcels for multiple reasons so no experience with such but expect that cut quality would be better in some conditions due to less grass rolled down by front wheels.
I do not mow when either grass or ground is wet and do not try to mow excessively tall grass with finish mowers so front tire roll down is rarely an issue for me.
All tires will damage turf in some conditions, especially with careless operation, wet grass, and/or engaged FWA and tight turns. Seen lots of turf damage produced by ZTRs equipped with turf tires.
Generally, turf tires are least damaging, and AG tires most damaging. R4s and R14Ts both somewhere in between.
Cannot use ZTRs in all of my parcels for multiple reasons so no experience with such but expect that cut quality would be better in some conditions due to less grass rolled down by front wheels.
I do not mow when either grass or ground is wet and do not try to mow excessively tall grass with finish mowers so front tire roll down is rarely an issue for me.
All tires will damage turf in some conditions, especially with careless operation, wet grass, and/or engaged FWA and tight turns. Seen lots of turf damage produced by ZTRs equipped with turf tires.
Generally, turf tires are least damaging, and AG tires most damaging. R4s and R14Ts both somewhere in between.
FWIW, R4 tires are considerably worse in snow than are turf tires.
I use a 60” deck on a 2601 which is a suspended deck and the place looks like a golf course. Until the drought shows up.
I don’t mow wet grass either and I can’t use a zero turn here due to some steep areas. I have r 4s and they don’t tear up at all. It’s a little heavy though so I try not to follow the same tracks all the time.
I don’t mow wet grass either and I can’t use a zero turn here due to some steep areas. I have r 4s and they don’t tear up at all. It’s a little heavy though so I try not to follow the same tracks all the time.
I cut with a fdr1672. Always looks great. Got R4s on my 3301 and 3560. Never have any issues tearing up grass unless its too wet, or turning too tight with 4wd engaged.
Also, I generally cut with my loaders off. Here's a terrible pic but the grass is still mostly on point.
Also, I generally cut with my loaders off. Here's a terrible pic but the grass is still mostly on point.
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I use the older B2620 with the 60 inch mm deck. I am happy with the cut quality. People have actually commented how good it looks after I cut. Does every bit as good as any lawn tractor I have ever owned. And the blades are sure more heavy duty than lawn tractors. I have the same blades still from 2013. My lawn tractor blades were damaged every season.
As for the tires, I have sandy soil and R4 tires and get no turf damage. And I mow in 4WD. Any time I tried mowing in 2WD I have spots I would spin the rear tires....then I had turf damage, LOL
As for the tires, I have sandy soil and R4 tires and get no turf damage. And I mow in 4WD. Any time I tried mowing in 2WD I have spots I would spin the rear tires....then I had turf damage, LOL
I traded in my JD 915B commercial Z turn for a B2601 with a MMM. The zero turn was faster, but due to my property being rough the ride was terrible. Even with the premium seat. The larger tractor tires make mowing a lot more comfortable. The cut quality is fine with the tractor. The R4 tires don't hurt the grass.
The main reason I made the change was I had other things I needed to do that the zero turn couldn't do. For me keeping both wasn't an option.
The tractor will do everything the zero turn mower will do just not as fast, plus a lot more.
I wish I had just bought the tractor to begin with.
The main reason I made the change was I had other things I needed to do that the zero turn couldn't do. For me keeping both wasn't an option.
The tractor will do everything the zero turn mower will do just not as fast, plus a lot more.
I wish I had just bought the tractor to begin with.
edinottawa
New member
Equipment
B6000E, B6000DT, BX2380, Massey Ferg GC2300, Massey MF14 x2, MF16 x3, MF1650 x2
What they said, and a bit more as follows. I have a BX2380 and formerly a Massey GC2300 both with 60" decks. I got an excellent finish from those, but it all depends on how fussy you are. If you are looking for golf greens, you will not get that level of quality. Also, if you need to do a lot of tight turns, get a ZT.
In any event, for the best results from a compact tractor mower deck get yourself one of these from a Deere dealer. Up here in Canada it was about 13$ plus tax, on Amazon I see it for 61$-go figure!?. Amazon is not your friend...