Compact tractor with belly mower

[Brad Buchanan]

Hey folks.

My Honda tractors are getting a bit elderly and I am looking for a replacement for mowing lawns and my orchard.

I am looking for a unit that is 20 hp. more or less, with a belly mower and a diesel would be a definite plus.

We have most major brands fairly close with a JD and Kubota dealer in town. Also a Mahindra however I don't have much knowledge about them.

A couple of places sell Cub Cadet but they look kinda like a glorified MTD and I wonder if the units in farm stores and home centers are quality units.

Looking for somthing commercial quality or at least farm quality.

I might consider a zero-turn however they seem to be a bit of a one trick pony.

Thanks in advance,

Brad Buchanan

 

[old]

The reason the newer cub cadets look like an MTD is because they are just that and built by MTD. I worked on one of those a year or so ago that had a bad internal ORC go bad and well it was not an easy job and yes poorly built

 

[Steve@Advance]

A zero turn is designed for fast mowing smooth lawns, especially around trees and tight areas.

It will do best on flat ground, not too well on embankments or rough ground.

The zero turns come in both residential and commercial duty. Huge difference in price and quality. Some at the home centers may say commercial, but you get what you pay for. A good commercial mower will be around $10,000.

But, you may not need that. A good residential with a welded deck (as opposed to a stamped deck) could serve you for many years. A true commercial mower is intended for daily use by untrained employees, so it can be overkill for your application.

As for a good tractor with a belly mower, no you won't find that at a home center. It will be costly. Typically the downfall of the home duty model is the steering and front suspension, along with the deck, general longivity.

The advantage is it will navigate rough ground and slopes better. Disadvantage is slower maneuvering around obstacles.

 

[Mike M]

The BX series of Kubota's would be worth looking at. Neighbor has one and has served her well for many years. JD has several small models built over the years too.

 

[Kansas4010]

I have a Jd 2520. It's a handy little machine to have around. If you're going to do any loader work you definitely want to take the deck off. This one has a drive over deck so it only takes a couple minutes. I would not recommend autoconnect though.

 

[David G]

You cant beat a good zero turn for mowing.

 

[old-9]

I second the BX Kubotas Ours has a rear three point mower and a loader. A friend has the same tractor with a belly mount mower. Kubota are well build and diesel. joe

 

[Russ from MN]

We have a JD 4600 that has been trouble free for 18 years, no unscheduled maintenance, 1300 some hours. Yanmar engine, I think the rest was made in US, 12-12 power reverser transmission. Ours is a little bigger than you are talking, 37 pto hp. I highly recommend anything with a Yanmar engine.

 

[Dean]

I mow my lawn with a B1750HSD Kubota bought new in 1993.

About a month ago, the spring that returns the hydro pedal to neutral broke and I replaced it.

In the 26+ years since I bought it in 1993, this is the very first thing that has failed. Otherwise it has needed nothing aside from regular maintenance. Nothing. Not so much as a fuse, hose, fan belt or lamp. Nothing.

It does get good maintenance, is kept inside, and is not abused. Still, that record is impressive.

Dean

 

[tomNE]

ZTR mowers are hard to beat. I buy the JD one because it carries the 4 yr warranty and has good resale. I didn't say trade-in, i said resale. It usually costs me $300 a year to keep them 4yrs and advertise them to sell. I never sharpen a blade. If i damage a blade, I buy new (usually at least 3 years on a set). currently i have the 62in cut. One thing i will say for someone who has never had a real wide cut. the first year will be spent reshaping your lawn for the deck to get everyplace but mother nature brings back everything and it grows again. I'll never went a whole day with my JD mower listed on craigslist in the spring, without getting it sold.

 

[Texasmark1]

2 reasons I bought a ZT rather than a belly mower for my Branson 2400:

It's in your way for doing the odd jobs around the farm for which it was purchased.

Gotta be a real PIA to try to wash out clippings which are always part of MY mowing experience. Jacking up the front of a ZT is one thing. Jacking up the front of a tractor to access the mower is quite another..........besides I use the 2400 to lift my ZTs and like that approach as I can move around the lot and wash out in different locations and not make one big mess washing in the same spot all the time.

 

[4520BW]

I mow with a Deere commercial zero turn, works great on nice lawns. We have a Kubota 23hp with a belly mower that mows pond dams and fence rows. Each has its advantages.

 

[4520BW]

Try again with pics

 

[rustyfarmall]

Whatever you decide on, buy it from a dealer that offers service and repair also. A dealer who depends on his reputation for staying in business. No home center can offer that.

 

[Pitch]

I have a Mahindra Maxx24. Its a working little fool and I would not hesitate to get another.
I would not buy another belly mower though. Mower gives a beautiful cut, but renders the tractor virtually useless for any other task.
Skip the belly mower and get a 3pt finish mower instead!

 

[TJ in KY]

Have you had problems with auto connect deck. I was thinking of getting one soon.

 

[Butch(OH)]

To my knowledge pretty much all of the compact and sub compact diesel tractors are well refined and pretty much trouble free when maintained properly and operated with some common sense. Deere, Kubota, Yanmar, New Holland, even LS, Mahindra, Rural King. Conversely I also know of examples of each brand that were turned into melt stock in short order by moron owners.
My son bought a 221 Yanmar and it has been excellent. I have a 19 year old Kubota that just keeps on ticking. I run a TC New Holland at my part time job, excellant tractor. Anyone who cusses Deere, Kubota or New Holland compact ttactor is color blind IMO. They all have excellent service, parts and resale value.

 

[BobReeves]

I bought a Kubota B7100 HST 4WD with a belly mower off Craigslist because I thought I needed a smaller tractor with turf tires. Was a good deal even though I had to do quite a bit of work to make it usable. I already have a ZT and two 3X00 Fords with flail mowers. The Kubota is now for sale, took it out to clean up a ditch I wasn't able to cut well with the big tractor and got it stuck twice. Had to pull it out with the big tractor.

As has been said as a tractor it's pretty much worthless with the belly mower. I removed the belly mower so I could use the 3 point for leveling a few places I tilled up to make the ZT ride smoother.

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/grd/d/catoosa-kubota-b7100-hst-tractor/6925435300.html

 

[Dusty MI]

I have a 61in Simplicity ZT to mow my large lawn.
Most important is what you like and a good dealer close by.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Neighbor has a 60 inch Kubota ZTR. Sweet mower. Most likely it may be the last mower he'll ever buy.

If you ant compact and diesel, Kubota and John Deere are the only dealers locally.
New Holland make compact diesel.

 

[Kansas4010]

Not personally no. My tractor doesn't have the autoconnect deck. It's just a drive over deck. My cousin however does have it. He bought a brand new JD x739 I believe is the model. It has to be sitting perfectly level on concrete outwise forget it. The first year he owned it he called the dealership out four times to adjust it. It was under warranty so it didn't cost him. When everything lines up and works properly it's great. When anything gets slightly worn or out of adjustment he has to fight that thing. He once had himself, his brother and his dad trying to line everything up and shove it together. These guys are not small either. If I had a nice concrete pad to park on mine would be really nice. I don't so I have to shake my deck a little sometimes. Nothing to serious though. They all happened to be at my house once and watched me take my deck off and reattach it. His dad slapped my cousin on the back of the head and told him to get that deck next time. I've read several complaints about the autoconnect decks being a pain. According to the guy the dealership sent out they have nothing but problems from those decks. He said they actually work better for people who don't take their decks off but once or twice a year. We however take ours off after every mowing to clean the deck out and sharpen blades.

 

[TJ in KY]

Thanks I?ll keep that in mind

 

[Brad Buchanan]

Hey folks.

Thanks for all the good advice. I found a Yazoo/kees (Husquavarna) 24 hp zero turn used from a fellow who maintains his equipment well.

This machine is well maintained, has a fabricated deck and grease fittings at the important places.

There is definately a learning curve to these machines! By the time I got done mowing the orchard I was getting the hang of it and think this is the proper machine for what I need, and boy do they mow fast.

Even just learning I cut 50% off my mowing time vs. my Honda tractor.

Brad Buchanan