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Outfront or Compact

Morning. I have a Kubota F3680 that's coming to the end of its life. It works very hard.

I'm considering getting a new(er) one but am in two minds on whether to get another outfront or a compact tractor.

Pros and cons etc.

Outfront is perfect for what I do, but limiting as in, thats all it does, cut grass.

Tractor is not so great for the grass but im thinking hedge cutters, log splitters, chippers, pto sprayer etc.

Also, what would be the widest mower attachment I could put on the back of a ,say, 35hp tractor? 

If I could get wider than the 152" of the ride on, it'd be quicker and wouldn't be so bad using the 48" pedestrian to cut around obstacles.

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  • PRO

    Few things to think about here....

    What trailer do you currently use to transport your outfront mower? We run a 16hp compact on turf tyres with a 5ft three blade finishing mower (Teagle Dynamo 150) - that JUST fits on a 14 ft beavertail trailer.

    Compact for mowing would need to be on turf tyres and (in my opinion) hydrostatic drive is preferable for mowing to a 'manual geared' machine.

    35hp compact is quite substantially big and heavy BUT not really heavy enough to run a side arm hedge cutter safely - plus is you are going into this then you need a full cab with guarded glass etc as it will get broken.

    Linkage mounted sprayers are useful if you have the appropiate qualifications - although many are now 12 volt electric pumps instead of PTO driven as it saves running the tractor at full PTO speed, which can make it hard to find a correct ground speed gear.

    PTO chippers have their uses - we have one which comes out occasionally, same with the rotovator and back hoe excavator - although these go on a different compact with agricultural tread tyres and a full and enhanced front weight pack as they make the tractor very rear heavy.

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  • PRO

    Hi Adie

    I started in business running compact tractors for horse paddock work.  There is a lot more to think about than just how quick you can cut grass.  Transport for a start. fuel, weight on soft ground, repairs are always expensive and time-consuming.  Manoeuvring and unloading, turning the trailer etc.  Choice of tyres - turf or Agri.  Other implements always spend most of their time lying in a shed and not making you money.  How are you going to fuel it - pumping red diesel from a tank??  

    My tractor was 28hp and would happily run 5ft implements, at 35hp you will manage 6ft finishing mower in reasonable conditions and a properly chosen speed - unlikely you will run a 6ft topper or flail comfortably.  MY tractor was 1.3 tonnes dry and you can add 300Kg for an implement  and at least another 600kg for a light car trailer. That puts you close to max towing limit for some pick ups.  A 35hp compact with front weights will be more like 2 tonnes so do you have a trailer and vehicle which can safely and legally tow that weight?  My machine with a topper barely fits on a 14 foot trailer and there is no question of taking a second implement to a job with you.

    I loved my tractor, but I would choose the out-front without any hesitation.  It will cut quicker, be easier to handle and likely cheaper to run. 

     

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