Regular or Fine Cut MMM? Turf or

[CORamos]

I've got tentative approval from the wife on a new BX25.

Still trying to decide if I should keep my Sears riding mower or get the Kubota MMM with grass catcher.

1-Is there a noticeable difference on the final result between the regular and fine cut MMM?

2- Should I go with turf or R4 tires? I really don't want to tear up my lawn, especially in front of the house.

 

[bp fick]

This is the Swiss Army Knife conundrum for sure.

Since one lays out so much cash for a TLB tractor, we try to rationalize it, a bit, by saying it will also mow the lawn. :laughing:

I would prefer to keep my tractor setup and used only as a tractor. In the real world, a lot of guys have to make it the swiss army knife.

Few guys here have gotten the fine cut. R4s do not mark up a yard, if, if you get the weight of the backhoe and loader off the machine. There in lies the tale. Gotta put those on and off, on and off.

So, does your Sears lawnmower still run pretty good?

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations, the BX25 is a fine little machine.

We are on our second BX with the first having had bar tires and the present one having Industrial; neither caused any significant damage to our lawn. The Bar tires left some impressions if the ground was wet, but they did not last. We do have a high clay content, so that probably makes a difference.

We have been very well pleased with the quality of cut on the regular decks on both mowers. Prior to that we used a John Deere 425 and the Kubotas cut as well as the dedicated mower. I am not familiar with the fine cut deck quality.

 

[leonz]

I've got tentative approval from the wife on a new BX25.

Still trying to decide if I should keep my Sears riding mower or get the Kubota MMM with grass catcher.

1-Is there a noticeable difference on the final result between the regular and fine cut MMM?

2- Should I go with turf or R4 tires? I really don't want to tear up my lawn, especially in front of the house.

The only difference you will see is the greater suction created by the mower as the deck shell is greater in height, the cuts are the same.

Turf tires love to eat turf when its wet;
and if you turn too tight as the tread is
greater in square inches of contact
surface versus an R2-4.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've had a few B's and BX's. I usually get R/I-4's on B's and turfs on BX's but with my current BX25 I got R/I-4's because of the all the time extra weight of the FEL/BH and I no longer mow with the BX's or B's. I mow with the F's which have turf tires. I believe the R/I 4's have stronger side walls for extra weight use and I've never had a flat with the R/I 4's like I have with the one front turf tires on the BX's.
As far as yard damage, I haven't had problems with either tire but I have a yard not a turf show place. My dirt is also some what clay based.

 

[CORamos]

This is the Swiss Army Knife conundrum for sure.

Since one lays out so much cash for a TLB tractor, we try to rationalize it, a bit, by saying it will also mow the lawn. :laughing:

I would prefer to keep my tractor setup and used only as a tractor. In the real world, a lot of guys have to make it the swiss army knife.

Few guys here have gotten the fine cut. R4s do not mark up a yard, if, if you get the weight of the backhoe and loader off the machine. There in lies the tale. Gotta put those on and off, on and off.

So, does your Sears lawnmower still run pretty good?

I think this is exactly what I'm doing, looking for as many reasons as possible to justify the expense.

She's definitely warming up to the idea... she suggested I get rid of the Sears mower, so that I won't have to worry about storing two machines.

 

[bp fick]

I think this is exactly what I'm doing, looking for as many reasons as possible to justify the expense.

She's definitely warming up to the idea... she suggested I get rid of the Sears mower, so that I won't have to worry about storing two machines.

Hey, I know exactly how it goes. :thumbsup:

Well if that's the only way you can "sell it", you're gonna get really good at taking off the deck when you want a TLB, and taking off the FEL and BH to turn it back into a lawn tractor. Lot's of practice.

Being a transformer doesn't quite work as quick as it does in the movies.

 

[TripleR]

Hey, I know exactly how it goes. :thumbsup:

Well if that's the only way you can "sell it", you're gonna get really good at taking off the deck when you want a TLB, and taking off the FEL and BH to turn it back into a lawn tractor. Lot's of practice.

Being a transformer doesn't quite work as quick as it does in the movies.

I don't know about the backhoe, but my son can R/R our deck in under five minutes and the FEL comes off in under two. I usually don't bother taking our decks off and my son in law hasn't had the deck off of his in two years.

Of course they are still young and spry unlike me.

We kept our John Deere 425 for a "backup" and it hasn't been used in two years; probably going to sell it this year.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Sounds like you are in a smiler situation as us. We ended up going with the regular 60" mower, and the R4's. They don;t mark up the grass unless you make a sharp turn or it is very wet. (if your foot will sink, the tires will too ) Getting the BH & FEL off only takes a couple of minutes once you get the hang of it. :thumbsup:

 

[Tom_H]

The grass catcher doesn't attach the same way most 3ph implements do. The top link is fused to the catcher and won't pivot. It is very hard to get on and off. I sold mine to TBN member Junkman.

I put the mulch kit on my 60" deck. It saves time and returns the nutrients to the soil, eliminating the need for me to fertilize. Cutting needs to be done when the grass is dry, however. I have a dolly for my MMM and don't have to rotate the anti-scalp wheels. I can get the deck off in 2 min. and on in 3. An elec. hoist in the rafters helps me lift it. An elec. impact wrench gets the blades off quickly. A vice and angle grinder allow quick sharpening.

Ag tires work just fine and do not damage turf (unless is is waterlogged clay, in which case turf tires will squish/ooze mud from beneath as well). I bought ags and turfs on their own wheels 11 years ago. The turfs have been sitting in the crawlspace for 10 years. I need the ags for ground engagement work and leave them on when mowing as I find no problem with them.

The questions you ask have been asked many scores of times. There's nothing wrong with asking again, however you can search the archives and find enough discussion on these topics to keep you reading for a month if you are so inclined.

 

[ranchonodinero]

The grass catcher doesn't attach the same way most 3ph implements do. The top link is fused to the catcher and won't pivot. It is very hard to get on and off. I sold mine to TBN member Junkman.

I put the mulch kit on my 60" deck. It saves time and returns the nutrients to the soil, eliminating the need for me to fertilize. Cutting needs to be done when the grass is dry, however. I have a dolly for my MMM and don't have to rotate the anti-scalp wheels. I can get the deck off in 2 min. and on in 3. An elec. hoist in the rafters helps me lift it. An elec. impact wrench gets the blades off quickly. A vice and angle grinder allow quick sharpening.

Ag tires work just fine and do not damage turf (unless is is waterlogged clay, in which case turf tires will squish/ooze mud from beneath as well). I bought ags and turfs on their own wheels 11 years ago. The turfs have been sitting in the crawlspace for 10 years. I need the ags for ground engagement work and leave them on when mowing as I find no problem with them.

The questions you ask have been asked many scores of times. There's nothing wrong with asking again, however you can search the archives and find enough discussion on these topics to keep you reading for a month if you are so inclined.

I plan on doing the same thing-I got the BX25 and did so to replace a John Deere riding mower (GT225) and a troy built rear tine tiller. I also knew that I have a lot of work to do around here which includes: many feet of french drains, cactus removal, general clean up and stump removal, and spreading gravel on the barn floor. I am keeping a self propelled push mower with bagger for the area in front of the house. I realize that in order to mow the yard, I am going to need to remove the FEL and BH, but it isn't that hard-the delivery guy did it for me and it is pretty simple given the convenience the implements bring to the table. Where did you get your mulch kit? Was it hard to install? Good luck!

 

[radioman]

I have turfs on my BX and love them in snow and mowing. I have noticed the front wheel flex when FEL is lifting something really heavy, but hasn't popped yet.:laughing:
I have the reg cut deck and its mows just fine. I still have one el cheapo mower I use for my rental property and backup mower but I prefer to use MMM on BX since the fuel use is sooooo much less. I can mow for a week and half on 6 gallons on 2 acre lot where my el cheapo mower uses 1 gallon gas in 4-5 hours!! I'd say thats a big incentive for getting a MMM for your BX!

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

In three years I have only removed the FEL / BH once to mow with the MMM. Couldn't tell any difference with the cut or difference re lawn compaction.

As for removing the MMM to use as TLB - depends on the job - did it once.

Don't find the Turf tires tear up the grass much unless turning sharp while 4WD is engaged. If my lawn was like a putting green maybe I'd be more concerned.

 

[Wacky]

I use R1's on my GC (pretty close to a BX) and have no issues with marking up the lawn (clay), I always use 4 wheel drive. I am pretty meticulous with my lawn. You will notice the build quality of the MMM vs. your lawn tractor's MMM. I was asking similar questions before I bought my MF. You will be impressed with the cut of the regular MMM, my neigbor has one on his BX and it cuts very well. The fine cut one, I believe, is the only one that will accept the mulching kit. The regular one will cut heavier grass too than the fine cut. At least that is how the local Kubota dealer explained it to me when I was debating a BX purchase. Good luck:thumbsup:.

 

[Tom_H]

... Where did you get your mulch kit? Was it hard to install?....

From the dealer. It was simple, mainly extra baffles and sheet metal strips to guide air flow inside the deck.

 

[Tom_H]

In three years I have only removed the FEL / BH once to mow with the MMM. Couldn't tell any difference with the cut or difference re lawn compaction....

If one is mowing open and flat space with no obstacles, mowing with the FEL and BH on is easy. On a complex landscape with many trees, planters, house corners, slopes, etc. you will wind up banging and damaging all kinds of things, as well as find the tractor tipping. Don't ask how I know this!

 

[Tom_H]

...The fine cut one, I believe, is the only one that will accept the mulching kit. The regular one will cut heavier grass too than the fine cut. At least that is how the local Kubota dealer explained it to me...

I have mulch kit on regular cut 60", but bought this in year 2000; things may have changed since then.

 

[tonylumps]

I am having the same thoughts I have a craftsman that I have been using going on 6 years to cut and pick up leaves with a Cyclone Rake I bought the BX1860 in October and only used it for snow and turn over a compost pile I bought everything to hook up the Cyclone Rake to the BX it has the 48"fine cut deck on it But I am not going to sell the craftsman it is 20HP H S I won't get much for it anyway And it still has the MDA and Hitch for the Cyclone Rake on it

 

[CORamos]

I am having the same thoughts I have a craftsman that I have been using going on 6 years to cut and pick up leaves with a Cyclone Rake I bought the BX1860 in October and only used it for snow and turn over a compost pile I bought everything to hook up the Cyclone Rake to the BX it has the 48"fine cut deck on it But I am not going to sell the craftsman it is 20HP H S I won't get much for it anyway And it still has the MDA and Hitch for the Cyclone Rake on it

Yeah, I just poked around Craigslist, and I definitely won't expect to get much for the Craftsman. Hopefully I can get enough for some BXpanded items.

This morning, I took the boss (wife) over to one of the local Kubota dealers to check out the BX25. Got the final OK .

Now it's just a matter of working on the best price!

 

[easygo]

You are going to love that machine and will ask yourself the question:" Why didn't I get this years ago?" I think it makes perfect sense to mow the yard with it. I do the same and my machine is two sizes up from the BX. The only difference I noticed while mowing that if the tire starts slipping the R4's do more damage in a shorter time then the turfs. I used both kind and I like them both.