We do. We use a Ventrac. Game changer.

 

40 thousand dollar game changer. Wish I can afford one of those.

 

Would have to be a big job to justify hauling a second trailer to the site too...

 

I use a Kioti cs2510. Similar in size to the 1023. Depending on the property(bed location) using bulk mulch isn’t always faster. If it’s slammed with plants, we’ll use bagged mulch and use the tractor to shuttle the bags from the trailer to the bed. The tractor is a back saver and in turn is more productive. I’ve done 10+ yards a day with it by myself.

As far as lawn damage goes, as long as the ground isn’t soaking wet and you alternate your path, we haven’t noticed any damage. Most subcompact tractors are less than 2k lbs.

 

I've used a Toro Dingo, pretty disappointed.

For what it costs and the size of the bucket, we're talking maybe 6 cubic feet in that little bucket? Also I can walk faster with a wheel barrow, especially a 2-wheel 10 cubic foot one, make one trip for every two with the mini trac and in less time since you can't really push those tractors up to much speed because it tears up the yard...

Maybe a motorized wheel barrow, they use them on construction sites to transport cement, bricks, sand and gravel... We are talking mulch here thou, it's not that heavy.

Of course all these fancy toys drive up the cost, which we think we can simply pass on to the consumer at the tune of $100 a cubic yard, why not... Until the guy that's not afraid to work shows up and is willing to do the same job for $75 a cubic yard.

Then you start losing customers, that may not be the reality today but one day it will be.

 

I do undyed mulch for $110/yard, dyed for $120 with zero pushback. Solo guy using a 2 wheel Jackson wheelbarrow.

 

I’m happy to hear others use a tractor also. Since we weren’t able to find workers this year, me and one other guy are moving approximately 200 yards of mulch per year. I’d rather not move that much mulch with wheel barrows. We do have an electric one but it still isn’t easy. We also have a JRCO transporter that we hook up to a Ferris walk behind. We started loading the wheel barrows and Ferris with our Vermeer 925 mini skid steer which helps tremendously.

We borrowed a John Deere from a neighbor of our customer last Saturday and were able to complete a 23yard mulch job in about 8 hours.

We drive 2 setups anyways to transport the equipment mentioned above. Plus I can send my worker to the job site first to redefine or clean up the beds while I pick up the mulch. Instead of paying him to ride with me.

It seems like a John Deere 1023 should work out for us.

 

Not sure if it's available for the 1023e but the MSL (mechanical self leveling) loader option bumps up the capacity significantly, if you ever have the need to move stone or heavier material in the future.

 

More lift would be good. It looks like the 1023e can lift 758lbs.

 

This page can be handy but the comparison tool is kind of crap.

Front End Loaders Compatibility | Loaders | John Deere

Find the right front-end loader for your tractor.

www.deere.com

More detailed background

New MSL (Mechanical Self Leveling) Loaders

Any else see this? Front End Loaders Compatibility | Loaders | John Deere US I want it.

www.greentractortalk.com

 

we lost out on a mulch job once to a guy with a tractor (4 series deere) it was a lot of mulch probably 90yds but sadly he did several 1000 $ damage to the irrigation system we had to fix afterwards so they didn't really save any money. We did it the mulch next time though

 

Can only imagine a 4 series on a residential lawn. Mother of all ruts.

 

120RMSL looks like a winner if I get the 1023e

 

No ruts from Ventrac especially when we run the dual wheel kit (8 wheels). Way faster than wheelbarrow.

I moved 6 yd of stone in under 1 hour while one of my guys spread the stone. No turf damage. Moved stone about 100' on that job. Ventrac is built for turf. Night and day compared to a skid steer.

 

 

I’ll consider a ventrac. Width and price are a concern though.

 

Is she thirsty? Obviously still far more productive than an employee.

 

Is she thirsty? Obviously still far more productive than an employee.

 

Not real thirsty. More than our mowers. Like 1.5 gal per hour is what they claim. Think our mowers are only 1 gal per hour?

Ventrac doesn't need to take multiple bathroom trips to a gas station because of "Hey boss, I'm bubbling bad bro".

 

If I was buying something to help specifically with mulch it'd be the mulchmate and load battery wheelbarrows.

 

Mark that Ventrac is sweet... How quick is it to switch to dually mode? OP I've found that for mulch, its faster to buy bags and move the pallets around. The savings in time outweighs the savings in material on bulk, especially if in a tight area/ lots of plants. Moving the pallet will also cause less turf damage than if you're dumping every couple feet.

 

Mark that Ventrac is sweet... How quick is it to switch to dually mode?

Hey Bud! Right now we have the duallys off. Takes 10 minutes or so. Very easy to put on and take off.

 

I use a Kubota BX25 to move mulch as well as a MX5100. The BX does no damage to the yard, if it is dry and I take shallow turns the MX can go through the yard without damage. This year I put out about 400+ yards without any issues. A BX size is light and nimble and with turf tires glide over grass - I'm sure the small Deers/MF/etc would all do the same.

 

I have been doing a lot of research on ventrac and John Deere. I don’t know if I can justify the price tag of ventrac but I am concerned about turf damage with a deere.

Besides mulch, we would be moving rock, tearing out shrubs, transporting trees and shrubs to plant, and doing small sod installs. I bought the Vermeer 925 to do this type of work and it does quite well besides turf damage. We have a few lawn protection mats but that is a hassle to lay them down.

I would sell the Vermeer if I could replace it with something that can do all of the work mentioned above and not cause damage to lawns.

 

Ventrac can do those things. Power bucket doesn't have a high lift height. That's my biggest complaint. They do have a hi-lift bucket attachment though.

 

 

What is this machine?

 

I’m a homeowner with a X590 with HDAP tires, a 3cuft bucket and 18cuft trailer. Anyone who tells you they can mulch with bags as fast as with a bucket is plain wrong or hasn’t dome large jobs. This year I’ve moved 30 yards of mulch and 20 yards of topsoil/sand.

If I had my way again I’d buy a 1025R with the 120R loader, which is around 8-9cuft heaped. I’m considering buying one right now actually, but $37k is a big purchase.

You won’t have issues tearing up lawns mulching, it’s a different matter if I have the 18cuft trailer filled with stone. But mulch is light.

But your considerations as a pro are different - you need to tow the tractor, and weigh that up against the cost of manpower. I can’t answer that part for you.

 

Does anyone do residential mulch jobs with a tractor like a John Deere 1023 or 1025?

I am considering getting one to make larger mulch jobs easier and faster. I am concerned about turf damage. I would get turf tires but I feel it may still cause some damage.
If you use a tractor to spread mulch on residential jobs, what is your experience?

never even considered anything like that.
i have a lot of large properties owned by wealthy people - every spring and sometimes fall - mulch all the flower beds - 3 pallets at this one property - i charge by the man hour....not by the cool machine. i have the mulch delivered - i show up with 4 people....thats $225 an hour. 4 to 5 hours later were done and ive usually talked to the homeowner long enough for them to start putting in more requests. what is that machine for?

 

Machine replaces people. Machine is cheaper than people. Machine doesn't collect workers comp for sprained ankles. Machine makes money. Machine does more than just mulch work. Machine doesn't get caught peeing in bushes, or need to gas station to drop a deuce, or stare at the girls in the pool instead of working, or call in sick, or fart all over my truck seats.

 

I have the Ventrac with the 3pt hitch using the slip scoop with the extensions on it. Very efficient and saves a lot of wear on the body. Wet or dry, it never damages the turf and it never a gets tired. Ventrac actually did a video 2 years ago showing how the Ventrac is more efficient that using a subcompact tractor for mulch.

 

I watched that video. It was great. We don't have the 3 point hitch yet. I'd like to get it installed....kinda need it. Service department here is wayyyyy backed up though.

 

The ventrac looks real cool. I just never thought a Jonny bucket type loader would be worth the cost?
It would be a fast scoop and go in this process though. Thanks for sharing picture.

 

That ASV with landscaper type tracks slick. How about a 3/4 cu. yard bucket for mulch!

 

One of the best ways to manage grass, bushes, and other out-of-control plants on a farm is to use a mulching mower attachment for a tractor. This kind of mower not only efficiently prepares land for growing pasture or crops, but it can also assist maintain and improve the health of the land itself. Mulching is the best way to clear land for any purpose, according to farmers and other agricultural professionals, especially when compared to slashing equipment.