Science! Why you should remove your loader when you mow.

It is widely debated if you should take your loader off when mowing your lawn. Neil puts this to the test by pulling out the scales in an attempt to see the impacts of removing the loader.
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[@thepredatorhunter50]

I keep it on due to some swampy areas that might catch me-the bucket helps self rescue

[@michaelcorbeil81]

I usually just remove the bucket for mowing. Super glad the dealer talked me into ordering the loader with the SSQA instead of the pin on bucket.

[@andrewbartelheimer6127]

After watching my boss take out his wife's favorite plant pot, I'd say it is definitely worth removing the loader with a mid-mount mower

[@acdii]

This is 100% true running a MMM, but if you have a 3 point finish mower, there are times where the weight in the rear can bring the front wheels off the ground if you don't have a loader. I have a 72" FM on a B2410 and there were times I did wheelies in transport mode! :)

[@CorkeryCoop]

Good info! You should also have weighed the rears; as you put load up in front of the front axle, you take weight off the rear axle. So I expect that the weight on the rear axle has increased. I realize that the rear tires are large, so you spread that increased weight over a larger area. But weighing the rears would have made the test complete.

[@davidferris4563]

When I got my LX back in December I got out my scales for the race car. It surprised me how much the weight shifts between the front and rear axle just lifting the bucket up to 4'-5' off the ground.

[@bobvogel9916]

Reducing the weight 300 lbs by removing a 150 lb bucket.. just added the other 150 lbs to the rear. Similar for frame.

[@hartsfire5706]

you really need a 4 pad scale so you can see the weigh on all 4 corners.

[@markpontes4457]

You should have shown the effect of weight on the rear axle as well. 👍

[@peteodonnell3765]

Great video, mine comes off every time because of hills, fences, small trees, landscaping. Sticks out too far, much more of an impediment than the 30 seconds to take it off.

[@paullambert2668]

Yes, this for me. Anything the tractor touches will break. Landscaping, trees, the house. I don't like fixing things, I take my loader off. Also, it rides a lot better with the loader off - that balance of weight on the front axle also makes the tractor pitch much more over bumps.

[@BradMyers]

I leave my loader on because I use my grapple while I'm mowing (rotary mowing) picking up down limbs and such as we mow around the farm. Plus, it helps find hidden objects. The yard gets mowed with a zero turn.

[@that.schamp]

I think this is intended to be specific to mowing with a mid mount mower deck. I've only used the MMM a few times - mine is a backup to the dedicated lawn mower - but find it utterly mind boggling that people use the MMM with other implements still attached. Besides the points Neil mentions here, mowing around the house with a loader or rear implement attached is a great way to smash things up and makes it harder to maneuver and mow in a time efficient pattern. If you are using a rear implement on a subcompact, you will normally want some sort of front ballast and the loader is usually the easiest, because it's already attached. When I use a rotary cutter / brush hog, I put a belly plate in place of the MMM to avoid damage to the deck and protect the hydraulics, and use the bucket to push over small trees and brush. One day, I will have all the thick stuff cleared and just use some front weights, but that day is not this year.

[@scottrowland9788]

@@that.schamp I’m o

[@realmoronosity5956]

I’ve considered taking off my loader to mow our fields and trails, but leave it on because I have had issues with getting it on and off, and I like to have it in case I get stuck with it being 2wd I can push myself out.

[@BD-dr1hw]

Since you're moving the center of balance of the tractor along with removing weight, it would be interesting to weigh the rear wheels too. I'll bet you actually increase the weight a little back there. Anyway, worth pointing out that this advice might not hold when using a 3 pt mower; in which case, the loader counter-balances the mower.

[@ThatBeeMan]

You're exactly correct. In fact, every lb of weight that Neil was talking about, above the weight of the equipment, comes OFF the rear. Weight doesn't come out of thin air, it always has to come from the addition, subtraction of weight somewhere else. He cited that the removal of the bucket reduced the front tire load by about 150 lbs more than the bucket itself weighed so that means the additional 150 lbs was shifted back onto the rear axle. The same happens when removing the loader. I do a lot of material handling with my BX therefore I run a ballast box in the rear. If I choose to remove the loader to mow, the tractor becomes so light on the front that it's hard to steer at times. I can actually lift the front of the tractor by hand in that configuration. I'd submit that tire wear on grass is theoretical and not practically measurable at all between 4WD or 2WD modes. If a person is at all concerned about the health of the front tires on a BX, they would be well advised to toss those OEM tires in the garbage where they belong and replace them with BKT tires. OEM BX tires, especially fronts, are just garbage.

[@BiffsEquipment]

I always remove mine also when I mow.. just makes more sense, not only keeps my tractor lighter to not rut things up but also allows me to get a lot closer to trees, fences, and other objects

[@joes610]

Great video! I have an 1880, but I expect the weights are pretty similar. Sometimes I pull the whole loader, sometimes just the bucket. The SSQA bucket can go off and back on in seconds, where getting the loader back on can either be a smooth 2 minutes or a frustrating 15. I knew the bucket made a big difference, but I'm surprised the loader still had so much weight!

[@MrSparks701]

Great informative video Neil. Thanks for the efforts!

[@martyb3783]

Very informative. That's why I love this channel. Great job.

[@rustylingenfelter5756]

Your videos are great. Thanks for taking the time

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Excellent demonstration! I love science like this.

[@wileymarm0t]

Wow! Very interesting video. Very helpful. Mine comes off every time. Glad it is worth the time.

[@DJC995]

Nice Video Neil Thanks again

[@ericritchey9331]

That's actually amazing there was that much difference. Great video as usual.

[@davidkettell5726]

Great video Neil good information.

[@mcd5082]

Great info Neil

[@stephengmeiner3264]

Interesting results

[@andybonneau9209]

Very interesting! I've never considered removing the loader during the season, just put it on and forget it.

[@frijoli9579]

Great video!

[@tacticalchef3369]

I leave the loader with pallet forks on while mowing. The pallet forks allow me to lift and move palletized junk that I would otherwise have to weed trim around on foot. I’ll deal with the trade off.

[@YMF1891]

Good video.

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video

[@trail70brent]

Great video great information

[@tsafa]

Great video

[@JamesMcLaren1000]

You mentioned using 4 wheel drive - without the loader there’s so much more weight on the back wheels you probably wouldn’t need the 4wd.

[@jifi-0178]

Great points, Neil. I "mooo" my grass with a 2650 with a cab (yes,a lot of weight, I know). I generally try to "mooo" without the FEL attached and noticed my tractor becomes more nimble in its ability to navigate on turns. This is another bonus factor to the points mentioned in the vid. All that weight removed and Ol' Stubby performs a little "moo" betterer. 😛 I wonder about the trade-off of rear tire ballast as well. I have beet squeezings inside the rear R4 tires and wonder how that all adds up. I've been pondering switching to turfs w/o the squeezings. I have the 3-point as an option for weight, but I don't have any attachments (yet) for back there.

[@jimg8218]

Good info

[@Bill-NBfarming]

Not to mention the best part. Your tractor handles sooo much better! It’s like a sports car without the loader on. I farm and have two big tractors with loaders. I never do field work with the loaders on.

[@alexli14_]

I have a particularly hilly property so for me its more a question of stability for loader with bucket or even forks would love to see a video look ing at how a loader would change center of mass for stability especially on cab vs open station tractors

[@prestonfaust4267]

Interesting video I have to say. I have a homemade weight bracket and cut up rail road tracks as the weight itself, I would guess that it weighs a good 100-150 lbs, cool to see that the loader has a somewhat significant impact on how much weight there is on the front tires, but anyways thanks for all your effort put into these videos, I find them very informative. Thanks Neil

[@Ariesdrone603]

Need to check the added weight result on the rear tire too. Front tires worked as a fulcrum with the weight out front.

[@johnossendorf9979]

Thanks, I'v always been a proponent of removing any attachments not involved in mowing. That being said, I do believe in adding low-slung weight when necessary for mowing on steep terrain.

[@MJADoingStuff]

I would love to take my loader off and on but last time I started to get a leak at the coupler so I got it fixed and now I will just drop the bucket only. Rides better with the loader on anyway. Thanks or the information Neil 😁👍

[@MarkJChest]

Neil Spelled original wrong. Do I get the prize for the week? LOL, great job both you and nutty Nate are great.

[@chrisreddick36]

Never would have guessed that either that’s interesting.

[@JerseyTom]

Interesting vid. I've got a TKV20 hanging off the back of my tractor and have been rutting up the lawn a bit where the grass cover isn't good with the rear wheels. Was experimenting with adding more counterweight up front to even things out, might have to get a set of something like those scales and really see how things change with the different weight amounts and brackets.

[@MessicksEquip]

Front weight would help for sure

[@PencilProper]

Nice video. You should weigh the front axle when the bucket is lifting a load and see the difference between having ballast at the rear and not.

[@BG-vq9fd]

Very interesting

[@bhall7997]

Great video I run a B2601 with 60" MMM loaded turf tires. I never mow with the loader on. Interested to see what the rear tire weight foot print is.

[@Jasonrcsd]

what an eye opener test! I'm jealous how easy can removed that loader!! I've got a Boomer 40 and I use a 3-point 6' finish mower that I mow 5 acre lot and 2 acres that our house sits on. All flat land. That 5 acres is rougher than heck and I always mow with the bucket off but never the loader because my only place to remove the loader is on grass or hard packed gravel driveway. Neil you're spot on with ruts in the yard! As much as I enjoy my cab when its sprinkling I hate the tracks/ruts my Boomer puts in the yard. Think I'm going to give it a shot and remove the loader this year though. thanks for the video!

[@onebigbobo]

I don’t mow my lawn with a tractor, but I mow hay. Bucket in the air can flip a tractor faster than you can blink. How many tractors you have seen flipped that had a bucket raised?

[@SOJ51.]

After watching this video, I tried this for the first time this week. With the flail mower FM2572 on my L4701, the front end is very light and I found if difficult to steer at times, but the mowing experience was much more enjoyable with the loader off..

[@MessicksEquip]

Yea, video was gears towards a mid mower, for rear you'll want some weight out front.

[@johanneslaxell6641]

Well, to each one his/hers own. I bought my Husqvarna Rider slightly used for about 3500$. It "turns on a dime", the cutter is in the front (I get really close) 125cm (~four feet?) wide.

[@2naturesownplace]

@Neal test is fuel usage. I know on the John Deere 4010, 4100 which I have two of. That if I ran with the loader. I would use a quarter tank more fuel when mowing with a 5-ft rhino finish mower on the three-point hitch.

[@roadglide1142]

I just removed my FEL for mowing season!

[@chuckquinn8026]

I just removed the bucket last year…looks like it’s time to remove the entire FEL…Thanks Neil!

[@pctatc66]

wow. great advice! Here's a thought though. I keep my loader on (bucket off for maneuverability) for extra weight that I can keep lower to the ground since I mow part of a steep hill sideways with a 35hp tractor and a 72" landpride finish mower. My rear tires are loaded again helping me "stick" to the ground with a lower center of gravity. How would removing my loader affect the center of gravity if any?

[@court2379]

I figure if you need to remove the loader to mow, then you bought the wrong machine. Finish mowing conflicts with the needs of pretty much every other use of the tractor. Just buy a dedicated mower that weighs less and works better.

[@fondy44]

Agreed. Aside from enjoying the extra seat time, I don't see how folks rationalize the price of a mid-mount deck when a little more money will buy a ZT that will mow circles around any tractor. If the 'lawn' is too rough for a ZT, then I want either a rotary cutter or a cheap RFM.

[@wildbill23c]

Some people buy 1 piece of equipment that can do multiple tasks, that's why people have a compact or sub-compact tractor with a mid-mount mower. I have a lawn tractor, but, if I'm getting ready to do a mowing job for someone, I throw the mid-mount mower on my BX2680 and go do the job, and mow my lawn with it as well...however, do I need a mid-mount mower, no, does my lawn tractor handle my lawn, yes, but the mower/tractor will tackle heavier jobs that my lawn tractor couldn't...my BX2680 has 4WD, my lawn tractor will get stuck in every little rut, so will a ZTR...I mowed a lady's 1/2 acre pasture last week with my BX2680....lots of gopher holes, if I were to have tried that with my lawn tractor I would have spent more time trying to get the thing un-stuck than mowing. A zero turn, or a lawn tractor has some severe limitations in heavy mowing tasks...it was a pasture, it was clean, it was grass and weeds, no need for a rotary cutter (brush hog), it was just overgrown because she couldn't find anyone to mow it for her. My BX handled the task just fine because of the larger tires and 4WD....I needed the 4WD in a couple of spots because of the off-camber situation and gopher holes, my lawn tractor would have been getting stuck on just about every pass where I had absolutely no problems with my tractor & mower. Plus the tractor sits higher, making it a bit easier to see in that tall grass/weeds, also keeps me up out of some of the dust too.

[@court2379]

@@wildbill23c Interesting use case, though most people use a finish mower for regular cuttings on smooth ground and 4wd is a negative because it chews up the grass. So I still say most cases a separate mower is a better choice. Faster, more maneuverable, does a better finish, and compacts the soil less. The right zero turns will go everywhere you just described though. Stanley Dirt Monkey demos several of them on his channel driving through high brush. They might not be the ones that would be economical to buy both mower and tractor vs tractor and deck though. Stan's machines are definitely high end. The really old zero turn I have would get stuck on steeper or brushy terrain.

[@ericsherlin1]

Could you so that on all 4 corners? I'm interested in seeing how much of that weight moves to the rear axle.

[@mittenequipment2443]

I always remove the loader because it saves me time and headache maneuvering the tractor 😀

[@rond9274]

I remove the loader on my BX2680 every time I mow. Too many obstacles to watch with the loader swinging around out front. It lakes less than 60 seconds, so it's well worth the time.

[@metalhead4700]

Only need to take out a fence post or two to realize, yup, you do.

[@fmixthings]

Interesting to see the bucket was a 300lbs decrease. It makes sense and everything. I would be curious to see the scales on the rear tires and if removing the bucket and/or loader adds a lot of weight back to the rear tires.

[@jekjr1957]

On soft ground the weight of the loader will get you stuck quick. Learned the hard way.

[@bill45colt]

where i mow, i sometimes find surprises in the fields or woods. A loader bucket running 6" high has sometimes saved my skin as it catches hidden concrete blocks, stumps, engine blocks, fawn deer hiding in the weeds, snakes at times, fire ant beds, errant tires and wheels that have come off of passing vehicles, and in the case that im mowing small trees 17 ft tall, its handy in that it pushes over trees making them easier to cut and keeps them from knocking hoses or breaking them underneath my tractor,,,,,just my experience,,,,regards

[@MichaelPMc]

I have a 60" rear mounted finish mower on my B2601, The loader sticks out far enough that it made a few spots hard to mow, I found with loader off I couldn't come up the rough trail over my hill because the front wheels would lift until the mower drug. I made a front mounted weight to enable me to climb the hill but in the long run I found removing the bucket shortened the front enough to help but still keep weight enough forward to keep the front wheels on the ground. I grew up on a farm where a lot of implements were heavy enough to float the front wheels either with weight or the hard pull and required brakes to steer so steering wasn't a concern but catching the mower wheels on roots was.

[@johnnsmith7932]

I have a B2601 with a 60" mid-mount mower and I always leave the loader and bucket on because of my particular situation. I mostly use this setup to mow the ditches on the highway right-of-way in front of my land. There are steep ditches along the highway and they are much too steep to mow parallel to the ditches. The loader and bucket provide weight on the front end when driving out of the ditches to keep the front end of the tractor on the ground and provide good traction. Although this doesn't often happen when I am going down into the ditches I can always drop the bucket down flat on the ground if the rear end of the tractor becomes too light. If the ditches become too soft I use the loader bucket to push the tractor backwards if the front wheels sink . I can also use the bucket to pull the tractor across if it gets stuck. This saves me the trouble of using my 4WD truck to pull the tractor out. The only other time I use the tractor for mowing is in some flat fields and I leave the bucket a couple of inches off the ground so if there is a stump or other object I can't see, the bucket will stop the tractor instead of damaging the mower deck. The bucket also makes it easy when installing or removing the mower as I use the bucket to lift the front end of the tractor and then roll the mower deck beneath the tractor.

[@MichaelPMc]

@@johnnsmith7932 in your situation I would do the same, Where my finishing mower is on the rear it adds 5 feet to the length making it hard to maneuver with the extended length of the bucket on the front.. When I am using the brushhog I leave the bucket on and use as you describe. When the brushhog is on I'm going right over those obstacles instead of around them like the the ones my wife seems to get upset about when I mow them over :)

[@chrisreibold1634]

I suspect that taking the loader off saves alot of wear and tear on the front wheel bearings, axle knuckles and loader cylinder seals too maybe?

[@arthurjennings5202]

Removing the loader also drops the center of gravity, a definite plus on hill sides.

[@rodneycarpenter3253]

I usually remove the bucket before mowing but never take off the loader on the l3901.

[@bobjameson2531]

Neil, A visual way of showing your point is drive on to two scaffold boards over a scaffold pole showing the centre of gravity,

[@kenito1967]

Very, very interesting take on the subject. If you do make another video with scales on the back wheels, could you do it with a BX23S and show the same weights with the backhoe on and off ? OK I'll admit, I really just want to know what my machine weighs because the Kubota pamphlets don't clearly show the weight of the tractor with the backhoe on and off...lol

[@MarkWilliams-vp7xw]

I have a rear finish mower my sub compact does wheelies when the mower is up without the loader on lol

[@dalestan1565]

How do you compensate for the catch and dig slop in a skidsteer attachment on a loader when moving forward? Set the angle, catch something and now you gouge the area you are working in.

[@jefferylebowski7355]

Great idea for a video! I mow far more than I use the loader, maybe I should default to leaving the loader off and just put it on when using it? The problem is I can't predict when I will want to use it, it's so handy and if I have to go put it on I might just decide not to use it. I do take off the bucket when mowing in tight quarters, but based on this video I think I will leave the bucket off nearly all the time now (it's easier to put on when needed)

[@paullambert2668]

I take my loader off whenever I mow. I put it on when I need to do loader work. I have it on and off a couple times a week. Takes me about 2 minutes, maybe less. Practice makes perfect (and quick).

[@berthongo8531]

Moment arm. Don't have to understand the math to see how it affects the load on the front tires. Great video!

[@daveschmidt5713]

I am curious what the weight of the rear tires are. Nice to have a total.

[@justkeepingitreal2024]

That's great if you have a front bucket "quick disconnect" as shown in this video. My L3800 has the old style front loader where the bucket is part of the front mechanism and to disconnect said bucket involves "tri-podding" the drop down arms.

[@MessicksEquip]

My tractor is the same way, only adds about a minute.

[@randyginter9826]

I agree with a mid mount mower but not with rear mount.

[@wojeski1]

I just drop the bucket as I use pallet forks to move stuff ( other attachments, firewood by firepit) to mow under.

[@dougsholly9323]

I think there is some confusion here based on the comments. He is specifically referring to mowing with the MMM. If you are using a rear mounted mower, especially a rotary (brush hog), you need front ballast and the loader is as good as plates. He didn't really make that clear

[@andydsimmons]

Can argue with math man. Good info and great video

[@edp9743]

Interesting, Kubota install this style filter out of the box in my b7100.

[@redneckmini14]

Now is this only for mid mount mowers, or for 3 point finish mowers too? What about brush hogs?

[@davidlang576]

I learned something today!! lol

[@tylerd4522]

Keeping the loader on, using a MMM to mow and nothing on the 3 point also makes these small subcompacts incredibly unstable, which is essentially what you were getting at. With instability comes the obvious safety risk, especially if you're mowing more than just perfectly flat ground. If you don't remove the loader for the sake of the tractor and front axle's health, remove it for the sake of your own.

[@andrewmyers7131]

The psi on the grass/turf is equal to the air pressure in the tire, regardless of the weight. More weight means a larger contact patch at the same pressure.

[@CorkeryCoop]

So what happens when there is 0 psi in the tires?

[@andrewmyers7131]

@@CorkeryCoop then there is no weight distribution by area, the force balance occurs at whatever the point of contact is, likely in line with bottom center of rim, and the pressure transmitted to the ground is dependent on the geometry of the contact point. There’s always a contact patch, it’s just that with a tire it is flexible and changes but with a rim it doesn’t, which is why a rim bends if you drive on a flat but is fine if the tire has air.

[@l3rianC]

I read through the comments looking for this. Thanks.

[@Raymo853inLeDroit]

What about mowing with a 3 point finish mower or brush hogging? I feel like I already know the answer, it is best to remove the loader so you can maneuver better and have less weight to reduce soil compaction.

[@Byron88]

Very interesting, I was definitely a bucket remover person, guess I'll take the whole thing off haha

[@TwoTall1988]

I'd be interested in knowing the impacts of keeping/removing the loader for billy goating hills. I have a 45° or so hill that I mow across on my Cub Cadet LT1050 (hanging off the side over the superior rear wheel) which is not recommended. I'm just interested in the impacts 4wd and a front loader would have to that capability.

[@that.schamp]

A loader will make the tractor tip more easily because the weight suspended out the front will unload the rear tires. You can counter weight the loader with a rear implement, but still have to think about the effects of the attachment / implements on the center of gravity. In the low position, they may make the tractor more stable, but if you have to raise them to traverse on and off the slope, the tractor will be less stable during that transition. Front and rear weights are a probably a better way to give the tractor stability than implements and attachments. For the most part my riding mower (D100 series) does *much* better than my BX23S on slopes because the BX has a much higher center of gravity. The BX is just not very stable side to side. Wheel weights or ballast in the tires would help, but probably would not be enough - and those may be options for the mower, too. What the BX can do better is traverse a ditch or go straight up/down a hill, because it can raise the deck higher, has more ground clearance, and has 4WD with Industrial tires (which are not good for the lawn). It can also run a small ditch bank mower (someday - those things are $$$). For the side of a hill, the best bet is probably a zero turn, as they often have the motor and seat mounted lower and have a much wider wheelbase than traditional riding mowers.

[@jimputnam2044]

I would like to see the difference it made on the rear also. Do a follow up Neil, I will not be able to sleep until I know. LOL

[@JoeTheFarmer]

Great video. Make me wonder two things... 1) Is it safer on slopes to have that additional weight on the tractor when mowing (i.e. don't remove the loader and bucket). Lower center of gravity, less of a chance of a rollover. 2) On a modern CRDI engine; does it really save any fuel to remove the weight. Thanks as always Neil! - Joe The Farmer

[@MessicksEquip]

the only fuel savings would be whatever added fuel is needed to move the weight of the implements around. I'd guess its minimal. Would be an interesting test.

[@tomreinhold2037]

I bought 5 ft landscape rake for bx2680 i just wondering if it to heavy

[@theflorentine5047]

Well, If you are running on large 3-5 acres I leave it on . It does not jar as much and it help level ground - large cuts don't turn that much IMO

[@rp1645]

Thank you for great video, advice on removing the LOADER front. I see farmers raising the front Loader up all the way sometimes doing a field. Just asking why that is done.

[@wildbill23c]

Probably either the loader is of the type that isn't easily removed, or the type that is not removable....or they're just too lazy to remove it.

[@paullambert2668]

Raising all the way up is generally not advised, it makes your tractor easy to tip over - I nearly tipped over my (unladen) BX with the loader all the way up, on flat ground, just by turning sharply. I have about 3 reasons I drive with the loader all the way up sometimes. 1. If it's too low it hits things - low fences, decking, shrubs. So I need it higher than the lowest thing I mow around. But I also need it not in my sight line, so I then have to raise high enough to look under it. That also means it sticks out less far, and is way higher than most things it might hit. It's also dangerous, so you need to be experienced and aware of what it's doing to your weight balance. On a larger tractor it's less of an issue of course.

[@joehopkins515]

Neil: One word of caution. I removed the loader from my John Deere 4066R and then proceeded to flail mow my pasture. When I made my first turn I almost skidded into the fence. The absence of weight on the front tires caused the front end to be so light that the tires had a lot less traction, thus the skid.

[@KI4HOK]

That’s great with a mid mount mower, but a rear mount mower changes the whole picture. Slashers (I love the Aussie name for them) make the picture even worse where the loader or front weights be come desirable.

[@InScynerate]

Another excellent video. But there are always more questions. I have a rear-mount finish mower instead of a mid-mount mower. I also have a couple of hills to mow. Would removing my loader make as much of a difference when using a rear-mount mower? Would removing the loader make the tractor more likely to flip over backwards when I'm mowing straight up a steep hill?

[@MessicksEquip]

You would want it with a 3pt mower

[@InScynerate]

@@MessicksEquip Thanks for the response!

[@Hoodyhoo2121]

After I knocked down the small power pole to my barn with the loader while mowing, now I always take it off. Ugh....

[@jim9178]

Should have shown with suitcase weights added to front.

[@McScott76]

Great information. Love your videos and have learned so much about how to make the most of my BX 2380. However, the whole time you're sitting on that mowing deck, I'm like 😳. Maybe I'm neurotic about it, but I always avoid putting any weight at all on the deck. Even yell at my kids for stepping on it. Am I babying it too much?

[@paullambert2668]

Short answer: yes. The decks on these machines are very strong. I treat mine mean, including driving over it to get it on and off (B2601), but also mowing blackberry and gorse with it, and it often mows the ground and gravel when I mow the roadside. Sure, I have to sharpen blades a lot. But it's made for using. They're solid steel.

[@ctskidoo]

I just take the bucket off. No problems so far

[@BitCounter]

I use my loader to unstick me when I sink in soft ground. It sneaks up on you. Once mowed without the loader. got stuck and then unstuck an hour later..

[@Starman.2112]

LX2610 owner here, would you suggest the same when using brush hog?

[@MessicksEquip]

No

[@verns.7575]

Would it also be better to remove loader when using a rotary cutter in a pasture?

[@MessicksEquip]

No. You would want the front weight.

[@brianmartin6303]

Would you still recommend this for a M9000 mowing 30 ac of hilly meadows?

[@MessicksEquip]

No, its for a mid-mower.