Opinions needed

PRTZMAN55 · Jan 19, 2009

Guys,
I would like to get your opinions on a small
tractor to mow grass with.
i have my heart set on a 100 , and almost had
one but it went out west from Pa.
Other than a 100 what makes a good litte tractor
to mow and general trailer type work.????
thanks
Harry
PS I have a 200 for a big brother

Hugh MacKay · Jan 19, 2009

Harry: What type of mowing; sickle, bush hog or finish? If I were looking for a tractor for a rear mounted mower, most any type, I tend to favour your 200 with centerline PTO. Not going to be a whole bunch of HP difference. 200 narrow front is going to be just as manuverable as a 100, 130 or 140.

If your looking for belly mowing, I can see not wanting to tie up the 200. Belly mowers tend to be a perminant fixture, due to the time it takes to mount and have belt running true.

PRTZMAN55 · Jan 19, 2009

Hugh,
Basic mowing would be lawn type on slightly hilly
ground and would like to use a belly mower
harry

PRTZMAN55 · Jan 19, 2009

Hugh,
Basic mowing would be lawn type on slightly hilly
ground and would like to use a belly mower
harry

Hugh MacKay · Jan 19, 2009

Harry: I have a 5' Woods belly mower on my Super A, lots of power. In fact I have to be careful as the blades start to loose their edge. I have the belt tight as a fiddle string but it will slip if the blades get dull. If I suspect my blades are dull, all I have to do is put my hand on drive pulley when stopped. If it's hot those blades are dull. All this and I wont notice it on rpm's.

I think if you had a 72" mower it would allow you to set the wheels out to 60" centers. At 60" centers a Farmall 100 or 130 are very stable on hills. Make sure you have the cast wheel on the right and stick on a set of rear wheel weights. Those wheel weights coupled with 60" wheel tread turn these offsets into just about as stable a tractor as anything on the market.

I like my set up, I notice when mowing parallel to my nieghbors little 20 hp Deere with 48' mower, I'm making about twice the speed he is.

old · Jan 19, 2009

Cub, 140, Super A or an A. All would be about the same size and would do the job just fine
Hobby farm

dhermesc · Jan 19, 2009

A cub (especially a 154/184/185) would be a good little mowing tractor especially with lawn type grass. I don't know how they are in the east but they run about $1500-$2800 depending on the day and who is selling them. The 185 has quite a bit more power than the other models.

They are light enough they don't tear up the ground but heavy enough to be a lot more than a glorified lawn mower.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/998737475.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/997287074.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/992374315.html

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/grd/984287150.html

mattofvinings · Jan 19, 2009

I also gotta vote Super A...had a Cub before which might not have been in the peak of power-tune, but never had any power problems with the SA and it smokes a good bit so I know it is not 100%.

Unless I was dilligently on top of my mowing with the Cub I'd be constantly raising the deck to get through thick spots.

This said, I had the Woods 59" triple blade on the Cub, the 42" woods might have been a better choice.

BOBM25 · Jan 19, 2009

A Cub is a good candidate for finish mowing. We have a L59 woods mower on an A, and it will run out of power in tall grass. By tall I mean calf high, if its knee high, forget it. A Super A does have more power, so I would think that would be better. One thing to watch about a Cub, an older one anyway, would be that they have unsleeved engines, so an overhaul would take machine shop work on the block, if it even could be bored over. I'm a flat lander and alot of folks have belly mowers on B's and BN's. They can turn on dime, but the narrow front configuration could get a little harry on hills.

Hugh MacKay · Jan 19, 2009

One other item Harry, a lot of folks run dull mowers.

Chris NW Ind · Jan 19, 2009

I mow with a B and it would take one heck of a hill to flip that thing over. I'd bet that my W9 would roll first.

Chris B.

Too Far Gone · Jan 20, 2009

I love Farmalls,but I have been really impressed with my VAC Case,live hydraulics,wide front and eagle hitch,and great power for its size.I never thought so,but I use it nearly as much as my big tractors at times,plus You can get a really good one for under $1000 around here,and there is a world of used parts available

Farmall Freak #1 · Jan 20, 2009

Hate to cuss, but I have had great luck with a 1983 John Deere 314 with a 48 inch hydrulic lift deck hydrostatic drive. It always mows great and is a good candidate for what you are looking for.
The old cubs ans A's are great tractors but they are real slow when you are mowing with them.

Hugh MacKay · Jan 20, 2009

Freak: What do you mean slow, my Super A with a woods 59 will make twice the speed of a 314 with a 42" deck. Now I realize he can turn quicker, but what good does that do him if he's still only half way down the cut. I'm cutting 18" wider and he's still on the other side.

Opinions needed

PRTZMAN55

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Hugh MacKay

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PRTZMAN55

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PRTZMAN55

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Hugh MacKay

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old

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dhermesc

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mattofvinings

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BOBM25

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Hugh MacKay

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Chris NW Ind

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Too Far Gone

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Farmall Freak #1

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Hugh MacKay

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