Ride on/zero turn mower buying advice

[rar110]

The family has a block with about 10 acres to mow. Up till now we've been letting it over grow or paying someone to do it. But the cost is adding up so I'm looking for a reliable & time efficient solution. I don't have time to spend my weekend on this job.

My original idea was an old slasher. A tractor in my price range is about 20 years old. I like the idea of a MF 135, but my name would mud if I picked a money pit. A big ride on might be better with at least a 48" cut.

Any advice would be appreciated about what to look for in a mower for something about this size.

Thanks

[isuzurover]

Set up reliable fencing and water and get a few goats. On 10 Ac you could even run 2-3 steers.

It will take some effort at the start but after that will be cost neutral. If you are near a farming area you could even lease to a stud farmer.

[p38arover]

See also http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/212091-ride-mowers-i-want-buy-one.html

[Slunnie]

Mowing 10 acres! I have a 52" cutting deck and have better things to do in life than mow 10 acres.

Next door have about 4 acres in their house paddock and they run 2 mowers at once when mowing. The other neighbor used to mow his house and adjacent paddock (about 5 acres) and spent forever doing it. My house paddock is about 1 acre and takes about 1 hour on the ride on.

I'd be looking at something bigger than a ride on, 48" isn't a big ride on mower in my books. I would also look to put stock on it. Good luck adjisting it out, but it would probably be pretty easy to find someone to put stock on it and keep it down.

[isuzurover]

... Good luck adjisting it out, but it would probably be pretty easy to find someone to put stock on it and keep it down.

Land is a bit better up north... I know a bloke who owns 10 acres and leases 37 on the sunshine coast. He runs about 40 breeders on that.

[33chinacars]

Run a few steers . Then you also have a meat for the freezer.

[rar110]

Thanks for the replies. Stock is not an option as I live about an hour away. It would just end up is someone else's freezer.

We've been through the adjustment ordeal. Too much hassle especially with horses, and coming into winter.

[isuzurover]

Thanks for the replies. Stock is not an option as I live about an hour away. It would just end up is someone else's freezer.

We've been through the adjustment ordeal. Too much hassle especially with horses, and coming into winter.

Horse people are crazy and I can understand why it wouldn't have worked.

Cow cockies are a bit more easy going. I am sure there will be someone around who wants 10Ac of free grass for their cows.

If you end up having to mow it, you will be looking for a small tractor and a slasher, not a mower.

[DeanoH]

Ten acres is too big for a ride on it'll take you a couple of days to get around it even when the grass/scrub/lantana etc is short.

A small tractor and slasher is the go. As you suggested a MF 135 is a good option coupled with a 6' slasher (offset) would do the job. I'd go for a good new slasher as old ones IMO are just not worth the trouble.
If you're only looking to use the tractor several times a year you could save money by buying a petrol tractor and putting up with the increased running costs, eg Ford 2000, Fiat 411RB (if you can figure out the gear change) but once you've got the tractor you'll find extra work for it so best probably to go for a good diesel.
Try and avoid the real antiques Grey Fergys, Nuffields, Ancient Inters etc and getting something with a two stage clutch will make life easier and safer.


Deano :)

[rar110]

Horse people are crazy and I can understand why it wouldn't have worked. Cow cockies are a bit more easy going. I am sure there will be someone around who wants 10Ac of free grass for their cows. If you end up having to mow it, you will be looking for a small tractor and a slasher, not a mower.

Too small, and no water makes it unattractive for grazing.

[Saitch]

I'd be checking local contractors for someone with a 7' slasher.
$20,000 will get a lot of work. Our local bloke charges around
$220-240 for 5-6 acres.
Steve

[isuzurover]

Too small, and no water makes it unattractive for grazing.

OK then. Options are:

Cheap Tractor and Slasher (e.g.)
Hinomoto Tractor 24HP With 4' Slasher in Maryborough, QLD | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hinomoto-Tractor-24HP-with-4-Slasher-/121571864643)

Pay a contractor to slash.

Pay a a contractor to spray the block with roundup.

Install a tank a trough system so you can put stock on it... (Could use the 110 back into a ute and use it to cart water... ;)

[rar110]

Ten acres is too big for a ride on it'll take you a couple of days to get around it even when the grass/scrub/lantana etc is short. A small tractor and slasher is the go. As you suggested a MF 135 is a good option coupled with a 6' slasher (offset) would do the job. I'd go for a good new slasher as old ones IMO are just not worth the trouble. If you're only looking to use the tractor several times a year you could save money by buying a petrol tractor and putting up with the increased running costs, eg Ford 2000, Fiat 411RB (if you can figure out the gear change) but once you've got the tractor you'll find extra work for it so best probably to go for a good diesel. Try and avoid the real antiques Grey Fergys, Nuffields, Ancient Inters etc and getting something with a two stage clutch will make life easier and safer. Deano :)

I agree, a MF 135 & 6 ft slasher would be perfect, much more durable & lower running costs. But I think we need to go through the exercise of using the biggest mower within the budget. I suspect we will be back to paying someone to do it.

[rar110]

I'd be checking local contractors for someone with a 7' slasher. $20,000 will get a lot of work. Our local bloke charges around $220-240 for 5-6 acres. Steve

Last bill was $800. I'm getting another quote. It's every 3 - 4 weeks ATM.

[Slunnie]

Last bill was $800. I'm getting another quote. It's every 3 - 4 weeks ATM.
Ouch! Slashing small acres here is similar in cost to what Saitch is paying.

[p38arover]

See also http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/159026-zero-turn-mowers.html