Figure 1. Mid-mount rotary mower deck on subcompact tractor

Mowing grass is the most popular way that homeowners use compact utility tractors. You have many choices when it comes to selecting a type of mower.
 
Different types of mowers serve different purposes, and you should choose the correct mower for your needs. Do you want to mow fine turfgrass or a pasture? Do you need to maneuver around many trees and obstacles? Do you plan to leave the mower attached to your tractor or remove it frequently to use other implements?

Mid-mount Rotary Mower Deck
Mid-mount decks are popular on the smaller compact utility tractors and on subcompact tractors (Figure 1). They tend to be more difficult to remove than rear-mount mowers, so they are more popular on the smaller tractors used primarily for mowing.
 
On some current models of tractor, it is now possible to leave a mid-mount mower in place while using a front loader or a rear-mounted implement such as a tiller; nevertheless, operating other implements with a mid-mount mower in place can compromise performance of the other implements and certainly reduces ground clearance.
 
Mid-mount decks generally provide good maneuverability and allow close trimming. Mid-mount mowers on compact tractors are usually ground-carried (they ride on the ground when in use and are merely pulled along by the tractor whereas mid-mount mowers on lawn and garden tractors are usually suspended from the tractor with the cutting height controlled by the suspension linkage). Cutting height adjustment is made by moving the gage wheels up or down. This can be done by moving adjusting pins or collars.

Rear-mount Finishing Mower
Finishing mowers (Figure 2) are also called grooming mowers. Finishing mowers have decks that are virtually the same as the decks on mid-mount mowers. They typically have three blades. Height is controlled by four gage wheels (two wheels on cheap models).
 
These mowers vary greatly in quality with corresponding price differences. This is a case where it is worthwhile to buy a high-quality mower with a heavy deck, heavy gage wheels, heavy frame and heavy power transmission components. The better models use separate belts to drive the outer blades and thus eliminate the need for a back-side idler on the drive belt; this dramatically improves belt life.

Finishing mowers can provide cut quality equal to mid-mount mowers. They work well for mowing open areas but are difficult

Figure 2. Rear-mount finishing mower on compact tractor

to maneuver around trees or other obstacles. They are easily attached and removed. Cutting height is adjusted with pins or collars on the gage wheel shafts.

Rear-mount Rotary Cutter
A rear-mounted rotary cutter (Figure 3) is often referred to as a Bush Hog - equivalent to referring to all soft drinks as Cokes. These mowers have a single blade (in the sizes used on compact tractors) and are designed for heavy, rough cutting. They are not designed to mow grass as short as is common for lawns, and they should not be set to cut lower than about 3 inches.
 
They will cut light brush. They are not highly maneuverable because of their greater length. Cutting height is adjusted by moving both the rear gage wheel and the 3-point hitch. They are easily attached and removed.

Rear-mount Flail Mower
Flail mowers are often used by highway mowing and park maintenance crews because they are somewhat less likely to throw objects. On a flail mower, the blades are free-swinging and rotate around a horizontal axis. The cut from a flail mower is very distinctive and different from rotary mowers. The blades are often Y-shaped (or sometimes, half a "Y"), thus the mown grass has a combed or ridged appearance. Some people like this effect; some do not. Control of cutting height may depend on the tractor 3-point hitch, although some models have an adjustable roller to control height.

Rear- or Side-mount Sicklebar Mower
Sicklebar mowers are no longer common, but they have some advantages. They are very useful for reaching down into ditche

Figure 3. Rear-mount rotary cutter on compact tractor

s or up onto a slope while the tractor remains level. They will cut very tall material without plugging. They require very little power. They do not cut or shred the cut material, so the full-length clippings are left lying on the ground. Although sicklebar mowers usually incorporate a safety break-away, they are very susceptible to damage if you run them into obstacles.

With all of these choices for your compact utility tractor, there is a mower that can handle your particular needs. You need to balance quality of cut, frequency of mower removal, need to use other implements, need to trim around obstacles and ability to handle heavy weed and brush to find the best mower for your use.
 
You can buy a mower of the same brand as your tractor that is made specifically for it or find many choices from short-line implement manufacturers. Quality varies greatly among brands and among model lines within a brand.