Thoughts while mowing....turning radius

[Jrblanke 918]

I enjoy mowing the grass. I don't like mowing all day long, but getting outside and running the equipment for an hour is pretty therapeutic after coming home from the workplace. I confess that I enjoy thinking about my tractor, how the tractor works, and what jobs I can do around the house that involve the tractor.

 

I got my first wheel horse this past summer (314-8) and since that time I have been mowing my mostly wooded, less than an acher, mainly moss, yard with a 314-8. I love the tractor and plan to keep it, but I can't help but to wonder if the shorted frame tractors would be easier to maneuver around tight areas. 

 

How does the turning radius of the B-series size tractors compare to the C-series size tractors? Which wheel horse has the best turning radius?

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,158]

The "B" series turn about the same as the "C" series machines but.....get a late 60's short frame and you'll turn on a dime.

Mike..........

[953 nut 60,069]

   The 855 0r 1055 are short frames and do turn in tight places, however you are limited to the gear drive 32" and 36" mowers.  They work well and are not too hard to find.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

[47JDG 65]

My Commando 800 turns very sharply. For me it fits that nitch for being a short frame, but has the attachamatic that the later tractors all share which is a big plus to me. It also looks like a little C series tractor which I like. It is only an 8 horse though so depending on what deck you use, it can be limiting in that regard, but it does sip fuel as another plus. If you are mowing less than an acre, a 36" deck on a Commando might work out quite well for you.

Edited December 1, 2013 by 47JDG

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

The 5xi series have a 20" turning radius. I know my two turn better than my other tractors, especially the 520-H.

[Jrblanke 918]

The smaller deck does not bother me since I have a smaller yard. So the 855 and 1055 are similar in turning radius to the Commando 8?

 

I would like a hydro (for lazyness reasons). I wonder if I could do some custom work and make a hydro fit. I do not have any experiences with hydros. 

[953 nut 60,069]

  If you want a hydro look for an 875 or 1075, same thing, just a hydro.

[47JDG 65]

I believe they have the same turning radius. The Commando 800 is the newer version of the Commando 8, that and the other tractors mentioned are older 60's tractors as well and not attachamatic models like mine, though you could adapt one of the others I imagine fairly easily if you wanted to do so. If you wanted a hydro though, I would just find a nice hydro tractor, though anything is possible if you wanted to retro fit something.

[leeave96 490]

One thing you can do with your present tractor is look for a swept forward front axle/steering assy from a 520H and swap it in. This will tighten the radius down to 26 or 28 inches.

[Jrblanke 918]

One thing you can do with your present tractor is look for a swept forward front axle/steering assy from a 520H and swap it in. This will tighten the radius down to 26 or 28 inches.

 

I didn't know about that. Thanks for the info!

 

I do think I am going to keep an eye out for Commando 8 all though I do like the look of the mid 60's tractors. I think it will just come down to whatever pops up in my price range.