Cub tractor with belly mower opinions

Southtowns27 · #1 04-07-2021, 11:46 PM

I recently moved to a new place that has a MUCH larger yard than my old place. I currently have a 149 with 48" deck. I'm seriously considering upgrading to a Cub tractor with a belly mount 60" mower. I've seen machines with both the 60" IH mower or the Woods 59". Is one way better than the other? As far as the tractor itself goes, there seems to be a real mishmosh of colors and sheetmetal styling for these things. Are some years better than others? Any to stay away from? Is this generally just a terrible idea? The tractor wouldn't be used for anything but mowing, I have a Massey Ferguson 165 with front end loader that would handle everything else..

Riley Henderson · #2 04-08-2021, 12:47 AM

Just a thought, some years ago my uncle had an early model Farmall cub with just a 42" woods belly mower. Although it was easy to get around with, mowing was painfully slow even in lighter grass I think the engine is only rated at 10 or 11 horse. My grandpa has the newer version (IH 184) with a 60" mower and it has slightly more power but still a slow go. Both are gear driven not so easy to maneuver around obstacle's.

It might be worth looking into a super GT they are heavy built machines many were designed to run 60" mowers, most have power steering, most all have hydraulic lift. Supers also have hydrostatics which I personally like for mowing.

Just my 0.02 cents best of luck on your search

ol'George · #3 04-08-2021, 09:17 AM

As much as I like old Farmalls (2 cyl. Deers also) the Farmall cubs with belly mowers are not what you want.
Slow/ low power is one of the bigger draw backs and not easy to steer.
Even the later low-boys although better styled, still didn't "cut it" as a mower.

Just my .$02

Sam Mac · #4 04-08-2021, 10:36 AM

Consider one of those tow behind mowers like a Swisher.

Cubcadet_107 · #5 04-08-2021, 11:50 AM

Okay, I'll throw in my 2 cents. My neighbor has a (1948?) Farmall A with a Woods belly mower. I've personally never used it but I've seen it used and heard about how you have to use it.

Essentially, it does not work too well, for the same reasons mentioned above. The little 4-cylinder just doesn't have the power to mow taller grass. My neighbor only uses it to mow the back hill on which his Christmas tree farm sits, and despite being a relatively small area it takes a really long time. Engine bogs down frequently and you have to stop to let it get back up to speed.

So, my idea is, rather than get a Farmall Cub, get a Super with a Haban 60". Same size deck, smaller machine that takes up less space, and still more power than the Cub.
Or, perhaps get the Farmall Cub, and buy a tow-behind mower with its own engine, like Sam suggested. Lots of options but IMHO the mid-mount deck for a Farmall Cub isn't the best way to go.

Again, just my 2 cents.

Leadslingingdaddy · #6 04-09-2021, 08:48 AM

If just for mowing and a large yard.... Zero Turn hands down... Use the Cub for yard work...

MSS7120 · #7 04-10-2021, 01:01 AM

Guess I don't know what a big lawn is to you. When I was a kid I mowed for about 8 hours a week on a 682 with 42 inch deck. I would typically split it up over 2 days. When the 682 was replaced by the 2185 with a 48 inch deck it cut the time to 6 hours. It was a huge reduction in time. It had a few more inches and a few more HP. It made a big difference. A new XT3 has 25 hp and 60inch decks. And it will do snow blower and similar. The size should make an even larger difference.

If all you want to do is mow lawn a Zero Turn is probably the way to go. It all depends on how much time you want to spend and how much money you want to spend. If you like your seat time running the tractor stick with what you have. If you want to get the job finished as fast as possible then big zero turn..

Some where in that range you will find what fits your needs. Me personally I like tractors over zero turns. Hope that helps. Maybe try to mow your lawn with what you have and see how long it takes. Then figure out how much faster you would like to go.

Edit; The foot hydro makes a large difference. With the dash hydro I would set a speed and roll with it for most of the lawn. With the foot hydro if the grass was light I would speed up in the thin areas. Makes a big difference if you have variation in the thickness of the grass.