Once you get into the original X4,5 & 700 series and larger they will rut the yard do to their weight unless you mow in a different direction each week. If you mow in the same path every time you mow makes no difference if you have a wet or dry yard it will rut. I currently use a 2305 with a 54" deck and it leaves a very nice finish cut. The 7-Iron would do even better. I run the R4's and HDAP tires which aren't filled. I've got no regrets with the 2305 for it's all around uses. slkpk

 

I ended up with my new scut too late in the season to cut any grass. I did however mow with a heavy lawn tractor every week. I copied this over from a rimguard debate:

My rears are loaded with rimguard, as was my previous lawn tractor. I would highly recommend it for stability on slopes, especially if you get on a wet sloping area while mowing in 2wd. The added weight down low definitely gives the tractor a more planted feel, and less bouncy when hauling *** across the lawn. I mowed all last year in the same "grooves" striping my lawn. Yes there was compaction that you couldn't see, but could feel by driving "across the grain". For what it's worth, in Michigan rimguard in a 26/12/12 tire is $25 each plus 6% sales tax. Shop around, I wouldn't even consider that concoction your dealer is peddling. They're small tires and you want the "heaviest" liquid you can get.

 

If doing light loader work, glorified home owner stuff, how much weight do you really need? Would a ballast box of concrete be enough? That way it easy to put the weight down when mowing?

Last year, being the wettest I can remember, especially Aug-Sept, the ground was real soft for a long time. Almost afraid that if I upgraded to a SCUT, I would either rut the lawn so badly that I'd end up sleeping int eh shed with the tractor, or I wouldn;t be able to mow the lawn at all...

 

I mow mine with a JD2320 and a 62" deck it works great. The wider deck helps because you can get right next to things without the tractor being too close.

 

I've mowed my lawn with just about every combination (L&G, SCUT, CUT) and don't notice a big difference in impact and certainly no difference in cut quality:



You'll notice in the above pic (clickable) that we've incorporated generous mulch beds into our landscaping. Even though my current tractor leaves an uncut circle of 36" it is best for your lawn to not be turning that sharply.

 

Remember bigger decks actually cut tighter circles than smaller ones due to the fact they extend out further.

Second, the only big deal with mowing with the SCUT is the rollbar on the 2305 does not fold down, so it will grab limbs on trees, pull them forward as you pass and hit you in the back of the head if you aren't careful.:banghead3
However that only happens once and I have an arsenal of chainsaws to deal with that.:trink40:

 

I really dont think the SCUTs have as bad of turning as everyone thinks. But as mentioned above you can tear some stuff turning. I have to make a wider turn than the tractor will turn to keep from tearing stuff up.

Its not bad, but something I think about. As Bob said you need to change your pattern !

 

Thanks for all the responses. I guess my suspicions were spot on. I would also assume something like an X7xx would be a little more gentle than a true SCUT when mowing, but of course the SCUT would be more capable when working with a FEL or 3pt implement.

Another question. How much PTO HP do you need for a decent chipper, something with a 4" capacity.

 

It's not all just the hp but also the unit weight. I just purchased a Wallenstein BX 32 which they rate at 3" although if the branch is pretty straight I think it's closer to 4". My dealer recommended the BX 42 which is rated at 4" but I decided on the smaller unit for its lesser weight. I do know even with the smaller unit you want the loader on front to counterbalance it.

 

I have a JD 4200; which is probably larger than the SCUT category, however, I do mow with it often using a rotary cutter. It's pretty easy to tear things up, but turf tires would help. Also, I can't get as close with it.

 

I went from a 42" to 60" to now a 72" deck.

I love the big deck, I can trim closer than ever, these tires and steering brakes reduce lawn damage compared to my previous smaller machines.

My daughter did snap off BOTH clothes line poles with the roll bar!! She must have hit the lines dead center!!

I would have a JD today if they offered a GT type machine with a 72" cut.

raying:

 

That's one mistake I made. I didn't think about a folding roll bar; and now wish I had. It won't fit under a standard garage door. I thought about taking it off and exchanging it; but it's not an easy job - way more involved than I thought it would be.

 

I would like to know what category my John Deere 655 falls under? One place classifies it as a CUT and from reading forums under CUT I think its too small.

Bob

 

I have a 2305 TLB w/ 62" mulching deck and R4s and it cuts well. I have some very soggy areas in the lawn and it has done no real damage, Just be careful in 4x4. I do cut at different angle/pattern every time. For my purposes (1 1/2 acres in subdivision w/ some woods) this has been a good investment. I have a good bit of lawn and making more in the wooded area along with endless landscaping projects.

I have over 100 hours the first summer, cutting grass, moving dirt and using box blade. Moved 5-6 tandem truckloads of dirt, backing down a hill no less, in fairly short order. Have been very impressed with the combination of good mower and a capable tractor. At purchase I was leery of the tractor's size for cutting, don't regret a bit! I almost got the 54" deck, unless you can't fit through a particular area, get the bigger deck. As stated prior, it will have a tighter radius. When I'm cutting around a curved stone edge, the 62" deck does very well, the 54" would not. Last thing, it's more stable on hills than I had thought it would be, just be careful and buckle in!
Steve

 

the "new" as of 2011 I believe X7xx series is individually driven hydraulic, decoupled front wheel drive. The 1023/6 is "mechanically" coupled... so yes - the mech coupling is rougher on the lawn... when engaged.... but 90% of the time it will not be engaged, so not too much to worry about.
cheers!

 

Good point, there is nothing about my yard which would require me to use 4WD when mowing....

 

Fiziksgeek, and I love the name, it sounds like you're considering a move upward. Maybe it's time to ask you dealer to deliver both for a test on your property. That way you can decide what's best for you.

 

Do you have a recommended dealer here in CT? I went through West End Power in Danbury before, and I've been to Midstate in Middletown. They didn't even want to let me ride something in their parking lot....

 

I should admit that I actually already sold my X534. Wasn't happy with it for a couple of reasons.

1. I got the 48" deck because that was the wides that would fit through my shed doors, and I wasn't going to modify the shed because of the brick work on it. However, the 48" deck barely hands over, so I had to get really close to planting beds, and with the AWS, I ended up putting the rear wheels into the beds on a regular basis. So screw it, I'm either going to modify the shed, or put up one of those outdoor shelters for a larger machine.

2. It never cut particularly well. I convinced myself that it was OK, but I really going over most places twice.

Really had my heart set on a machine that could take a loader and 3pt hitch attachments so I could do more with it. Primary wishes are a loader for moving mulch, turning the compost heap, spreading top soil, etc. I would love a 3pt chipper, and a snow blower (though that could wait).

I was thinking of buying a commercial walk behind for mowing, but they aren't cheap either At the same time, I am worried about an even larger machine rutting the lawn in some areas.

 

Sorry to hear the X534 didn't work out. I remembered your threads earlier this year when you were trying to decide what to buy -- your sculpted landscape/yard and the issue with the shed doors.

I think back then you concluded that you did not want to mess with widening the shed doors. So that left you with pretty limited options for deck width. The mowing advantages of AWS work best when coupled with the widest decks offered. With hindsight, it probably would have been best to bight the bullet and modify those doors to 72". Then you could have got an AWS X700 series with 62" deck, which would have been expandable with FEL etc.

You were also considering a BX1860, if I recall correctly. That would be the more "value" oriented way to go, as compared to an X700 series. The BX1860 is the smallest SCUT offered and is pretty much the same size as an X700 series (a little longer but a little narrower, too). Thinking about your sculpted yardscape, I personally would not want to be mowing with anything larger than either of these.

You should be able to get a BX1860 with mower deck and FEL, for $3.5-4.5K less than a comparable X748. You could get that price down maybe $1.5-2K on the X if you opted for 2WD and a gas engine. (Personally, I'd want the 4WD and diesel.)

 

Thanks for reminding me how nice my yard looks in the spring!

I definitely worry about the maneuverability of a SCUT in my yard. There have been a couple changes, lost a few tress in the Oct snow storm, had damage to a couple more which I may end up taking down anyway, unfortunately dog woods and Japanese maples...So some of the tight points are going to be modified weather I like it or not, but it will help with accessibility.

I am drawn to the x728/48 because its a mower first. I drove an x728 when I was originally looking, and was impressed with its turning radius. I believe the cost difference between a x748 with 7 iron deck, FEL, and 3pt hitch and a 1023 with 7 iron and FEL (3pt hitch standard) will be minimal. The BX1860 is certainly attractive from a price point, but I worry about its smaller horsepower. I would like to get a 3pt chipper at some point, so that may rule it out....

One thing for sure, I am going to take my time this go around. I am not going to choose the wrong machine again. My wife will kill me if I do....!

 

.... The BX1860 is certainly attractive from a price point, but I worry about its smaller horsepower. I would like to get a 3pt chipper at some point, so that may rule it out....

I have never seen a published spec by JD for the pto hp on the X700 Series. But, the same engine (Yanmar 3TNM72) that is used in the current X748 gives 15.3 pto hp in the 1023e. The BX1860 has 13.7. (BX2360 bumps up to 17.7)

CHDinCt has used a PTO chipper with his BX1850 and BX1860 (he now has a BX25): http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=67716

Enjoy the shopping!!