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New to purchasing: UTV/Side-by-Side & Pull-Behind Mower

3,819 Views | 7 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Bald Eagle
Grown Pear
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The wife and I are purchasing some property. It's 6 acres in total, of which about half is what will need to be mowed.

What I'd like is some versatility, I was initially leaning towards the traditional lawn tractor/riding lawnmower style because it's easier for her and I to hop in and steer... and to have a small trailer to pull behind it for doing work around the property (hauling wood, tools, yardwork, dirt, etc). That would be over the Zero Turn style mowers which I feel like would be a better dedicated mower but harder to use for these other purposes.

My thoughts then led to getting a UTV to be able drive around and haul stuff in and then have a finish cut pull-behind mower to attach when we need to mow. Going this route, I'd have my fun toy to mess around with, more storage and capability to haul stuff around, and I think it would be easier to just get in and go instead of dealing with a mini-trailer. Plus ability to tow it to other people's property for hunting, fun, etc.

While looking online at options, a friend turned me onto the Kawasaki Mule Pro-FXT, which has a convertible rear that can change from your traditional 6-passenger small bed set up to a 3-passenger with extended bed set up. That's extremely attractive to me because 90% of the time I'd want the longer bed space and 10% of the time could drive some friends/kids around.

My questions for the outdoor board would be:
  • Is the UTV & Pull-Behind Mower a practical solution for me?
  • Is mowing call it 3 acres with this set up a headache, easy, or somewhere in between?
  • I've purchased cars, trucks, rv, etc. and am used to negotiating below their asking price... I assume these UTV's at dealers are negotiable as well? If so, what's a typical 'discount' I should expect?
  • I found WRI Outdoors in Bryan through Kawasaki's dealer locator search. Any experience with them? Or other dealers that are good or bad?
  • Recommendations on what to look out for or avoid in regards to a finish cut pull behind mower? Are these negotiable too or price expected as marked?
Grown Pear
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Here's examples of the rear seat folded up to provide extra bed space, and pull behind mower...



River Bass
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Depending on where your property is you may consider a tractor and bush hog / shredder. I think 3 acres is doable with a zero turn, but if you ever want to mow more of the overall 6 acres then the tractor may come in handy.

The ATV pull behinds are more for deer lease work and mowing trails, maintaining roads. The turning radius won't be great.

Maybe consider a zero turn for mowing AND a cheap used four wheeler for chores. You don't need a big displacement four wheeler for simple chores and you can find smaller used four wheelers pretty inexpensively.
Mowdy Ag
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Something else to consider...

I moved to a six acre tract with over 100 trees in Burnet County - seriously considered a zero turn and ATV/UTV tow-behinds but ultimately went with this:

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/lawn-tractors/x500-series/x584-lawn-tractor-48-in/

I have the 54" deck - NOT the 48". With the four-wheel steer it turns on a dime - not quite a zero turn but damn close - the uncut area with steering locked left or right is about 12" diameter - perfect for mowing around my live oaks. I also installed a Johnny Bucket Jr.:

http://www.johnnyproducts.com/J_Bucket_HTMs/JBpage_Jr_Simplicity.htm

and Johnnyproducts sleeve hitch:

http://www.johnnyproducts.com/J_Bucket_HTMs/UNI_Sleeve_Hitch.htm

That combo works its little ass off and does everything I've needed it to. ...wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Your mileage may vary depending on terrain and your property's unique needs.

Good luck!

MA
Grown Pear
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River Bass said:

Depending on where your property is you may consider a tractor and bush hog / shredder. I think 3 acres is doable with a zero turn, but if you ever want to mow more of the overall 6 acres then the tractor may come in handy.

The ATV pull behinds are more for deer lease work and mowing trails, maintaining roads. The turning radius won't be great.

Maybe consider a zero turn for mowing AND a cheap used four wheeler for chores. You don't need a big displacement four wheeler for simple chores and you can find smaller used four wheelers pretty inexpensively.
Thanks River Bass, not a bad thought on getting something cheap/used for the chores.
Grown Pear
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Thanks MA, the JD lawn tractors were my first 'go-to' thought - I like those other products, I'll look more into.
Bald Eagle
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We live on 7 acres and a 1+ acre pond and a lot of trees. I used to mow it with a traditional john deere lawn tractor but switched to zero turns because it was much faster and gave a smoother cut, Much tighter turns for tight corners and around trees means less time to mow the property and zero turns usually have more cutting power for taller grass. Get a commercial grade mower for longer life and less problems. I have used a JD gator for the past 18 years for my hauling and errand runs etc. no problems with it and I have over 2000 hrs on it . My advice is get a mower to do the mowing with and a Gator type of machine for your hauling and other work. Don't try to do both with one machine. in the long run you will regret it and spend more money. I have a kubota 48" zero and a John Deere 54" zero. I am going to sell the 54" JD because a close friend of mine gave me his JD golf course diesel mower when he moved to Dubai. If you live near Tomball come by and see our place and how these mowers work for us. Any other questions feel free to contact me.
CowtownAg06
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I may have interest in the 54" when you got to sell.
Bald Eagle
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It is ready to sell now call me at 713-539-6169
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