Best lawnmower EVAR?

AlanA · Apr 30, 2014

Saw separate local CL ads for a partially restored B for $800 and a complete cub 5' belly mower rig for $250. Says the deck needs work.

Now condition is everything, but what do y'all think of this as a concept?

Alan

rankrank1 · Apr 30, 2014

From a durability perspective and a cost perspective you might be on to something. I would want the B to be a BN though so as to have the narrower rear wheel tracking instead of that wide B rear tire stance. Narrow front of the B would be quite maneuverable though.

That said, I do not think it would be the best mower ever especially in wet lawns or lawns that do not drain so great just simply due to weight. There is a reason the pros use what they use when time is money. If I had the money then I would have a Ferris ZTR with suspension, but I do not want to spend that kind of money to mow grass so cheapo lightweight riders for me work fine. My lawn does not drain so good so lightweight is a must.

My Field Tractors stay in the field at my place.

LMack · Apr 30, 2014

It all depends on how much you have to cut, how hard the ground is, and how open the area would be. The B will not have live PTO so the blade will stop for you to gear down or to reverse. You will not be able to ride the clutch in heavy grass or around tight spots. The best you will be able to do is to hit the heavy spots in first gear or possibly take a narrower swath. IF you have a wide open area on hard ground that you plan to keep cut on a regular basis then go for it. Otherwise get a zero turn 60" if you plan to use it commercially.

Bryce Frazier · Apr 30, 2014

I personally think that I could out-maneuver a B with one of my Farmall C/SC's... The C/SC's are narrower (in the rear), and with that narrow front end there are VERY few places one won't go! I think that they would be a kick in the a$$ to mow with!! However, I have never driven a B, so they might be just as good too!! Bryce

DeltaRed · Apr 30, 2014

I've mowed lots with narrow front H.Turn on a dime and give 9 cents change!

LMack · Apr 30, 2014

Me too! I have mowed a lot with a MF-40 with the live PTO (not as easy to maneuver but it did have power steering and live PTO) but I was doing my own grass and there was not a homeowner complaining about scuff marks. If you spin an H, C, or B around one wheel it will dig out a 12" to 16" diameter spot which might be fine in your own grass. I could take out a big strip of my grass and I knew it would grow back. That will not work if one is cutting lawns for money. A single 6" scuff mark could cost you a customer and will certainly result in complaints and possibly a demand for a discount or refund.

kub6040 · Apr 30, 2014

340 utility or farmall would give u live pro and
turning radius . My nickel.

mkirsch · May 1, 2014

Your main challenge will be mounting the Cub mower on the B.

None of the brackets will be of any help. Nothing is anywhere near close to fitting. About the only thing that will be useful is the deck itself, and if that's rusted out...

The Cub has an engine speed PTO that rotates opposite of the B's standard 540RPM PTO. You can re-route the belt to deal with the rotation direction issue, but if you use the Cub's 7" pulley on the B (with the proper insert), the mower will not turn fast enough. You need a 21" pulley on the B's PTO to make it turn fast enough.

Normally on an A/B/C type tractor, the Woods mowers are driven off the belt pulley drive instead of the PTO. The belt pulley drive turns much faster, so you can use a reasonably-sized pulley.

AlanA · May 1, 2014

This is for my own yard. The advantage of the smaller tractors is turf tires are available. One could also look for used tires that are still flexible but nearly bald. 8)

AlanA · May 1, 2014

I have a '39 H, but have never mowed w/ it except with drag-type bush-hog. My only real concern is excessive weight. You are right about the manuverability, tho. 8)

longear · May 1, 2014

I have a couple farmall 140s that we mow with, they both have ag tires. They don't seem to mark up the lawn. Ours is not a golf course but ok.

rustyfarmall · May 1, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:14:26 05/01/14) I have a '39 H, but have never mowed w/ it except with drag-type bush-hog. My only real concern is excessive weight. You are right about the manuverability, tho. 8)

I have a 1940 H with a Woods L306 belly mower. Been cuttin' the lawn with it for maybe 14 years now. Occasionally it will leave ruts if the ground is too wet, but my old Snapper rider gets buried in that same patch of ground, so the weight really is not an issue. Occasionally, if I turn on a dime, the 3 rib front tires will leave tracks, but that is easily cured by replacing the 3 rib tires with a straight tread automotive tire.

notjustair · May 1, 2014

I have an A that I use with a woods mower. Not every time, but if it needs done in a hurry I get that out. It does a very nice job and leaves the yard looking as nice as the Cub Cadet we use. My biggest complaint is that I can't get under the trees with the exhaust but if I take it off I am eating fumes. I keep meaning to weld up a down-turned exhaust for it.

Best lawnmower EVAR?

AlanA

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rankrank1

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LMack

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Bryce Frazier

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DeltaRed

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LMack

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kub6040

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mkirsch

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AlanA

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AlanA

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longear

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rustyfarmall

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notjustair

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