R4's or turf tires for mowing and plowing?

How long does it take to remove and install the autoconnect deck? I'm not talking about how they do it in the YouTube videos. I'm talking about if you just got done mowing and took it off, the full procedure. Then for the reinstall how long does it take to have it in ready to mow condition?

 

Lol!



I'm sure the others are just as quick, right?

 

For mowing you want turf tires. R4's will do some damage to the ground. I have a compact tractor with filled tires so it's much heavier and more damaging that a standard subcompact. But the sub will still press into the grass and leave tread marks.

For plowing a driveway, R4's can work but I found it necessary to use a tire groover to add some siping across the big fat R4 tread blocks and that really helped when the driveway was icy.

David

 

I didn't see you release the anti scalp wheels before you removed it and I didn't see you latch them after it was back on the tractor. I can have the deck off the BX in under 40 sec and back on in 45 sec.

 

I'm also concerned with the weight difference and keeping with a tractor that's it too

This is the reason I am still considering going with the 1 series over a 2320. The 2320 is more tractor but I don't want to go too big where it becomes a problem to do the everyday things I need it for. I'm not sure what the weight difference is between the two so I will have to check more into that. The 1 series can turn around and under trees better than the 2320 can which would help a lot. I still have some time so I am definitely looking into all of these concerns still

 

The AC deck is very appealing but I'm sure it can also be very frustrating. A drive over deck would be a huge improvement over my current setup and probably much less maintenance than an AC deck. Def something for me to consider

 

My theory is that if you spend any significant time mowing or using it as a tractor, then buy both a mower and a tractor. Using a tractor for mowing is really quite poor. My commercial mower RIPS through mowing compared to any other kind of machine and gets me back to other more important things. Buying one machine that compromises between the two is a compromise to be considered carefully.

 

That is a very good point and something I am also seriously considering. I mow 1.5 flat acres with several big pine trees and a decent sized ditch in the front off the road. Overall it's an easy mow and zero turn or tractor can do it in close to the same time and ease for the most part. What pushes me to the tractor is the ditch. Anyone who mows with a zero turn on my street either doesn't now there ditch until it's completly dry or they get stuck every time. My neighbor had a zero turn and push mowed his ditch so he wouldn't get stuck. He also told me the guy who lived in my house before use to get his zero turn stuck in my ditch all the time. I know a zero turn is a better mower but I'm not sure it would be best for me.

 

Another question comes to mind, if I end up getting a tractor and it has R4's I would probably consider then getting tire chains. Will tire chains hurt a concrete driveway at all?

 

Yes chains can damage concrete or asphalt. With wheel weights and or filled tires you won't need chains. Worst case scenario put a few weights on the 3point. I made a receiver for the 3pt that holds suitcase weights for front end loader work without having a big blade on the back.

I see it this way. I had a garden tractor (diesel kubota g1900 lawn mower). I only have 1.5 acres. It mowed, and sucked at plowing with a manual blade. I got stuck mowing the ditch almost every week.

I then did some horse trading and got a small mitsubishi tractor. 4wd, diesel. I got it for doing grading work and mowing the ditch. The tight confines of the house, granges, fence lines power pole, etc made mowing with a. 3point finish mower and a real manual trans with a clutch about useless. I sold it after doing my grading work. I have no desire to have a tractor, push mower, zero turn, snow blower, etc. one universal machine.

I got the bx used with a hurt motor for dirt cheap. 60" mid mount mower, front end loaded that comes off, front hyd snow and dozer blade.. I had pallet forks that I made for my old tractor. It mows as fast as a zero turn, I move my firewood with the forks, I put in a couple loads of gravel, it works well for me. I love it. No regrets with the detachable loader, mid mount mower, and front plow setup. The mower comes off in 60 seconds once a year. I don't need drive over automatic deck. I dont take it off enough to justify having a quick detach.attach. The loader pops off (on level ground) fast and reattaches just as fast. The front blade take 10 seconds to snap on the front quick attach.

A lot of guys make fun of them because they aren't real tractors. Yes you can buy a compact tractor that is bigger and more useable as far as the tractor aspect goes for just a little more money. The SCUTs are so popular because they allow people that don't need a full on tractor, to still do tractor type things. With bigger tractors, mowing becomes more difficult around obstacles. My mitsubishi was a good tractor, but I only used it for a forklift. It was a tractor that didn't get much use

If you think about SCUTs as large garden tractors that do many other things, you'll be fine and love its versatility. If you need a full on tractor , get a tractor and separate mower. For me, 80% mowing and 10% forklift 10% bucket, it works phenomenal. The only time I've wished I had a bigger tractor, was trying to pick up something I shouldn't have anyways. I looked at larger tractors and it wasn't for me. Everyone's needs will vary. If I had 10 acres, I'd get a bigger tractor with a loader and brushhog for field mowing and a zero turn for the lawn.

 

You described my situation perfectly! That is exactly why I started looking at the scuts in the first place. My 445 with the 40 series loader does everything I ask it to and more, I'd just like a little more tractor and 4x4. The 1 series fits what I want and need perfectly.
With the 445 I have a 450lb weight box on the back and now that I think of it I've never been stuck plowing, nor have I ever been stuck mowing my ditch. My neighbor still mows with a zero turn and it takes us the same amount of time to mow our yards.
I would also prefer one machine to take care of rather than two. I still like the idea of using one machine all year around and getting full use of it rather than one sitting all summer then the other sitting all winter. I know thats more preference than anything but it makes sense to me .
Thanks for the reassurance Stang! Im going to revisit all options again but I remember now what lead me to what I had arrived at to begin with.
Oh and to stay on topic, I def feel much better about the R4's and think they will work for my situation.

 

Yes chains do damage. There are much less harsh options: http://www.rubbertirechains.com/

Zero turns definitely get stuck easily on wet ground. They also don't do steep hills or slopes safely. And for 1.5 acres, they are not going to save you hours each week.

 

Yea it really is! I've been able to do a lot with the 445 and it has made a lot of jobs much easier.

It does everything I've asked it to, but a cat 1 hitch, 4wd and double the lift capacity would be a huge upgrade for me.
I've not had any issues with my turfs on it either, but if R4's don't tear the yard up or slide around too much plowing I would like to go that route with the next tractor.

 

Love that farmers porch!

 

Why not keep the 445 for mowing and get a larger 4wd tractor for tractor work?

 

Thanks Cnice! It's part of what sold us on this house. It also makes for a great wood storage area in the winter!

 

I've considered that also. The 445 with 60" deck does a great job at mowing the yard, but from what I hear the 1 series is very comparible to it. I just don't want two machines to store or take care of. Besides, by selling the 445 with the 60" deck, loader, weight box and front QH with plow I could damm near pay for half of the next tractor.

 

You know the 1 series is a limited cat 1 3PH? That means it basically lifts as high as a cat 0 but it accepts cat 1 implements. You may not be able to lift all cat 1 stuff high enough to use it.