Educate Me on Mowers

[RallyeMike]

I'm moving out of the woods and onto property with about an acre+ of lawns. It's pretty wide open without the need for a lot of tight manuevering. I'm thinking about a traditional style riding mower with a larger mower deck. Part of the property is hilly but the ground is very even. Is there something I should be looking for in terms of good traction or stability? We get a lot of dew and moisture but I'd still like to mulch to avoid dealing with clippings.

What kind of equipment recommendations can you guys make for this novice grass farmer? I have never had anything more than a basic push-mower before.

[J.Bond]

Steiner 420, 430, four wheel drive, articulating, front mount mower. A little pricey, but you only get what you pay for!!!!

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I have 1.2 acres and 11 years ago, I bought a John Deere X304 with a 42" mower deck, bagger & 4 wheel steering (that I bought from a John Deere store). Other than changing a battery filters & blades, I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. The 4 wheel steering is awesome!

[alfaitalia]

I assumed from your Avatar that you would not need a mower Mytur......what with living in the desert with just sand for a garden!

[JB400]

He lives in his own oasis

[birdsandbees]

Don't buy a Kubota.. I have a 20HP x 44" Kubota riding mower and my son has an identical size John Deere next door.  They cost basically identical money. In side by side cutting (him on one side and me the other on my 2000' long grass runway) His will cleanly cut grass 30% faster than my Kubota will, with it's stupid counter rotating deck blades.

[RallyeMike]

Steiner 420, 430, four wheel drive

Looks like they don't make these any more?

John Deere X304 with a 42" mower deck, bagger & 4 wheel steering

I was wondering how effective the 4 wheel steering is - I saw it on many models in poking around. Seems like it would work well were the grass edge is curved. Looks good since I want a traditional tractor style mower.

Don't buy a Kubota.. I have a 20HP x 44" Kubota riding mower and my son has an identical size John Deere next door.  They cost basically identical money. In side by side cutting (him on one side and me the other on my 2000' long grass runway) His will cleanly cut grass 30% faster than my Kubota will, with it's stupid counter rotating deck blades

This is the kind of gold I was digging for. I have no idea about stuff like counter rotating deck blades and production effectiveness/rates.

[J.Bond]

Steiner became Ventrac, and then, they started back up.

https://www.steinerturf.com/tractors/450-tractor/


You would be better of with a slightly used 430. The prices are crazy, 2000.00 for a deck, which is not that bad. The replacement deck on my Wheel Horse 42 inch, is 2800.00, yup not cheap. The 450 is larger and has not gotten the reviews the 420 and 430's got back in the day. I cut 2 to 3 acres, used to be fun, now it's a chore. Used to  take me 4 to 5 hours to cut, if you didn't have a break down, my 420 knocks it down to 2 and a half hours, time is everything!!!

[440]

We have a John Deere D140 and mow aprox 2 - 3 acres and once a year about 10 acres. The D series are said to have weak hydrostatic transmissions but we have not had any issues yet except for the deck idler bearings as they are not serviceable. We have a larger than recommend mower trailer and tow quite of bit of stuff around with it.

I would recommend one with the k66 hydrostatic trans, but so far no issues with our k46.

[Kern Dog]

Our place is about 1.25 acres, not huge but there is a fair amount of trees and grass to maintain. There is maybe half an acre to mow weekly. I use a self propelled Honda 22" walk behind mower because I am a man.
Any more than this....I'm getting a riding mower!

[Birdflu]

Our place is about 1.25 acres, not huge but there is a fair amount of trees and grass to maintain. There is maybe half an acre to mow weekly. I use a self propelled Honda 22" walk behind mower because I am a man.
Any more than this....I'm getting a riding mower!

Impressive K.D.!

[Kern Dog]

Thanks! I used to be able to mow front and back in about an hour and 15. I'm a bit slower than when me moved here in 2004!

[b5blue]

https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/g146/best-lawn-mower-reviews/

[flyinlow]

Kubota BX. sub compact tractor. 8 acres , 4 of them are grass. All hilly. 4 wheel drive when necessary  ,hydrostatic transmission makes it quicker in tight areas and safer for first time tractor operators. Tractor stops moving if you take your foot off the forward or reverse peddle, even on a slope. 60 inch belly mower drives like a riding mover. Power steering. Front end loader can pick up a 440 and load it into a pick up.,. plows dirt  ( one bottom only in Ohio clay), auger drills 8 0r 12 inch holes . Pulls a car trailer or a dead Charger around like a toddler with a pull toy. Pulls neighbors zero turn out of ditch more than once. Diesel does not care if the grass is 8 inches deep, it just will use more fuel. Really handy to have around.

Cost more than a mower , but at 100 hours a year I put on it , my son will wear it out 20 years after I am dead. May not  fill your bill, but I thought I would throw it in .

[Hard Charger]

we are cutting about 1.5 acres and killed a standard Husqvarna 4 wheel riding mower in 4 years. Just fell apart. Motor was fine but the steering kept braking.

Went with a Gravely zero turn with a 60" deck and cut the time in half. Much better machine.

[odcics2]

Our place is about 1.25 acres, not huge but there is a fair amount of trees and grass to maintain. There is maybe half an acre to mow weekly. I use a self propelled Honda 22" walk behind mower because I am a man.
Any more than this....I'm getting a riding mower!

I have 1/2 of an acre and I use a push mower...
But I do have 2 garages. 

Good exercise. 

[Aero426]

I cut 3/4 of an acre with a very well used mid-1980's Simplicity 12 horse hydrostatic tractor.   I have a few hundred bucks in it.  It is a robust, simple machine.   A new mower would be nice, but I just can't see spending $3000-$4000-$5000.     Sure , the new one will do it faster.   But all I want it to do is cut grass.    

[Aero426]

I have 1/2 of an acre and I use a push mower...
But I do have 2 garages.  

Good exercise.  

I acquired a 1950's Lawn Boy 2-smoke from the estate of the next door neighbor.    Came with the op-manual and receipt.   Purchased in Sept 1955 for $100 (pricey).     The yard is at least half an acre with only a one car garage.   A lot of pushing with a small cut mower.    However, the mower has a cast aluminum deck and is very light.     Styled by Brooks Stevens per the sales brochure.        The fuel tank is spotless and had been drained when it was parked.    I think it will run with a minimum of effort.  

[odcics2]

I have 1/2 of an acre and I use a push mower...
But I do have 2 garages.  

Good exercise.  

I acquired a 1950's Lawn Boy 2-smoke from the estate of the next door neighbor.    Came with the op-manual and receipt.   Purchased in Sept 1955 for $100 (pricey).     The yard is at least half an acre with only a one car garage.   A lot of pushing with a small cut mower.    However, the mower has a cast aluminum deck and is very light.     Styled by Brooks Stevens per the sales brochure.        The fuel tank is spotless and had been drained when it was parked.    I think it will run with a minimum of effort.  

Looks cool!!
Who made the engine?

[Aero426]

I have 1/2 of an acre and I use a push mower...
But I do have 2 garages.  

Good exercise.  

I acquired a 1950's Lawn Boy 2-smoke from the estate of the next door neighbor.    Came with the op-manual and receipt.   Purchased in Sept 1955 for $100 (pricey).     The yard is at least half an acre with only a one car garage.   A lot of pushing with a small cut mower.    However, the mower has a cast aluminum deck and is very light.     Styled by Brooks Stevens per the sales brochure.        The fuel tank is spotless and had been drained when it was parked.    I think it will run with a minimum of effort.  

Looks cool!!
Who made the engine?

Made by OMC.  It is known as a "Brick Top".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-400_engine

[Mytur Binsdirti]

[RallyeMike]

Kubota BX. sub compact tractor. 8 acres , 4 of them are grass. All hilly. 4 wheel drive when necessary  ,hydrostatic transmission makes it quicker in tight areas and safer for first time tractor operators. Tractor stops moving if you take your foot off the forward or reverse peddle, even on a slope. 60 inch belly mower drives like a riding mover. Power steering. Front end loader can pick up a 440 and load it into a pick up.,. plows dirt  ( one bottom only in Ohio clay), auger drills 8 0r 12 inch holes . Pulls a car trailer or a dead Charger around like a toddler with a pull toy. Pulls neighbors zero turn out of ditch more than once. Diesel does not care if the grass is 8 inches deep, it just will use more fuel. Really handy to have around.

Cost more than a mower , but at 100 hours a year I put on it , my son will wear it out 20 years after I am dead. May not  fill your bill, but I thought I would throw it in . Twocents

Thanks for this input. I have decided to buy a used riding mower just to get through the summer and then see how things go. I do see good applications for a sub tractor for gravel driveway maintenance, a bunch of stumps to get rid of, general maintenance, etc.  I will probably keep the used riding mower just to keep the sub tractor hours down.

3 cars and half the shop moved so far. Man I have a lot of stuff.... that will be the swap meets next year.

[6PakBee]

Whatever you get, get a hydro-static transmission.  I have an el-cheapo MTD and it cuts grass great BUT, if you have to go into reverse from forward or vice versa, the transmission is anything but user friendly.