2360 mmm or rfm?

TerryS. · Sep 6, 2009

Hey all ,I am planing on taking advantage of the zero % and upgrading from our Cub 2518 to the 2360 with the fel. looking for some input on which way to go on the mower. I like the Woods 54'' rfm. were cutting 1.5 ac horse pasture and about 1 ac of grass. Can the 2360 lift the (400#) rfm and still handle working the fel or do you need to drop the rfm to use the fel? I am talking mulch and manure not heavy soil. Thanks

radioman · Sep 6, 2009

The 2360 can handle the RFM, the 3 pt can lift over 1200lbs. Its better to use RFM if you plan on swapping alot of implements but then with MMM you can leave it on and still use rear 3 pt. IF you are using it on a farm having 250lbs of MMM acts like wieght to give you a better traction and lower COG. With a RFM, you have to constantly worry about the swingin arc and not hit anything. Plus the MMM will act like a partail skid plate to protect the HST fan. However - having wieght hanging on the back like RFM will make a very nice counter balance with stuff in the FEL.

So no matter how you look at it either way of having a mower has it own equal pros and cons.

thavil · Sep 6, 2009

Fully agree with radioman's assessment on the two different mowers. I personally use the 60' MMM on my 7 acre horse farm and cut 4.5 acres of pasture with it. During cutting season, I usually leave the MMM on and use my FEL with loaded tires and a box blade as ballast.

Either way you go, highly recommend skid plates to protect your undercarriage since you will be working out in your pastures. Even the smallest stick may damage your HST fan and filter. Check out this website for some great skid plates Bro-Tek Skid Plates.

89cummins174 · Sep 7, 2009

I have the woods rfm and if you have to get in tight spaces with it (around trees and buildings) you cant get as close as you would want to for edging. I have a rear discharge and have to say that I like how i can cut tall grass without clumping b/c it disperses it over a wider area out the back rather then a side discharge clumping next to the uncut grass. One more thing i like about the rfm is how well it can articulate independently from the tractor, dont get me wrong I have scalped a couple of really high spots, I have used MMM but just not on the BX so if I would have to do it all over again I would get the rfm the cont. of the mower is good. One more note about the pto just dont same the lever over like a on off switch, move the lever slowly till it engages the implement.

harpoonalt · Sep 7, 2009

I have a BX 2350 with a 60" mmm. It cuts very well but is a pain to take on and off. I use the FEL with it on but have to be careful about running over dirt piles and it limits how close to things you can get. My major FEL work is done so it's not so much an issue for me. If you use the tractor for a lot of FEL stuff, I'd go with a RFM because you can drop it easier. I would consider a 60" though for more coverage . The tractor would have no problem with it.
If I could go back in time, I'd buy a tractor for tractor work and a ZTR for mowing. Tractors can mow very well and in rough areas can't be beat, but a ZTR will cut your time in half , if not more, do a better job, and be ready all the time without swapping implements. I find that I leave the small FEL jobs till fall when I drop the MMM for the back blade and get ready for snow. The MMM is just a pain to fit in places and is easy to hang up in rough ground. Maybe it's me getting older, but I like more and more to make my life easier.

TerryS. · Sep 7, 2009

Great info guys keep it coming,? Looks like I will add that skidplate! We only have a few trees to deal with. So I am leaning to the RFM. Because we have a sandy type soil pasture, when its dry the horses just tear it up and beats the crap out of MMM on our Cub. I did not think the 2360 could handle a 60 RFM. I just want get r done(Sorry guy's I rather drive my boat then my tractor) so a 60" sounds good to me! and thats what I would get if I end up getting the MMM would be the 60". 89Cummins what size RFM you pulling and hows it holding up?

dodge man · Sep 7, 2009

If you are mowing more of an open area, I would go with the RFM. If you are mowing more of a yard type area, I would go with the MMM. I'm not really sure its that time consuming to remove the MMM, it just akward sometimes. It takes me about 5- 8 minutes to take mine off and about the same to put it back on.

whistlepig · Sep 7, 2009

TerryS. said:
Great info guys keep it coming,? Looks like I will add that skidplate! We only have a few trees to deal with. So I am leaning to the RFM. Because we have a sandy type soil pasture, when its dry the horses just tear it up and beats the crap out of MMM on our Cub. I did not think the 2360 could handle a 60 RFM. I just want get r done(Sorry guy's I rather drive my boat then my tractor) so a 60" sounds good to me! and thats what I would get if I end up getting the MMM would be the 60". 89Cummins what size RFM you pulling and hows it holding up?

Watch the weight on the three point. What a three point will lift and what RFM weight mower is recommended is a totally different beast. My B7800 is recommended for a RFM maximum weight of 500#. My Woods PRD7200 weighs 720#. I have always used a RFM. They are easier to service. Easier to take on and off. And the dirt and dust is behind you and not underneath you. There are advantages to mid mount mowers. If you are going RFM go Woods. I have mowed about 4,000 hours with a RFM both commercial and at home. I wouldn't even think of buying anything other than Woods.

ChuckinNH · Sep 7, 2009

I think a BX will turn a 60" mower just fine, but I am concerned about the weight. The maximum size that I have seen in the "Estate" or BX sized implements is 54", and I know the owner uses front weights with the one I have seen in use. I have a 48" rotary cutter which is probably lighter than a 60" RFM, and I wouldn't want more weight, or size behind my B2620........ just one opinion, and not worth much..