Advantages over a MMM or a rear finish mower?

[General Lee]

I am in the market for a rear finishing mower. I have a Kubota B3200 and was wondering what are the advantages or disadvantages of having a MMM over a rear finishing mower and vise versa. I want to mow with my tractor, however, I don't really need it for my own yard.

I was thinking if I got a 72 inch MMM I could have a more wider cut than say......a 60 inch RFM. Can I mow thicker grass with one or the other? Does one produce a better cut? I was bush hogging with my 3200 for the first time today using my neighbor's 72'' bush hog. Tractor handled it fine IMO but it is a big implement to be swinging around and I really won't be doing much bush hogging.

 

[whistlepig]

I am in the market for a rear finishing mower. I have a Kubota B3200 and was wondering what are the advantages or disadvantages of having a MMM over a rear finishing mower and vise versa. I want to mow with my tractor, however, I don't really need it for my own yard.

I was thinking if I got a 72 inch MMM I could have a more wider cut than say......a 60 inch RFM. Can I mow thicker grass with one or the other? Does one produce a better cut? I was bush hogging with my 3200 for the first time today using my neighbor's 72'' bush hog. Tractor handled it fine IMO but it is a big implement to be swinging around and I really won't be doing much bush hogging.

The advantage of a MMM mower is that it is easier to see and easier to mow close with. The advantage of a RFM is that is much easier to maintain. It's out in the open and not underneath a tractor. A RFM is much quicker to mount and dismount if one has a need to switch attachments frequently. If the mower is the only attachment you are going to use during the mowing season the MMM would be the best choice. If you are switching from rotary cutter to brush hog to loader several times a season the RFM may be a consideration. As far as quality of cut I will match my Woods PRD7200 RFM against anything out there.

 

[niemeyjt]

Dont forget the front mounted option!

Mowing under trees with my rear mower (flail) can be a problem having to reverse up to the tree and manoever around it. A friend with a Husqvarna front mounted mower has a much easier time - and I guess a mid-mount would be easier too.

I also find the wheels push the grass down before the mower reaches it - leaving an uneven cut when it is damp. A mid mount lessens the problem (only fronts to push grass down) and a front mounted mower eliminates it.

However, unless the mower is side discharge, mid and front mount mowers are going coat parts of your tractor in grass clippings.

J

 

[KennK]

Being a MMM user, one of the biggest issues that faces me is the danger of dropping wheels into deep-ish mud. It doesn't take all that much for the MMM to bottom out and become a nasty anchor.

 

[yankeerider]

I have never owned a RFM, but would sure like to have one in addition to my MMM. My 755 feels much more stable with the rear wheels set to their widest position, and that's a big help on rough and hilly terrain. But my MMM can only be installed with the rear wheels in the narrow configuration.

In addition to not needing to watch for "over-swing" of a RFM when turning tight close to fixed obstacles, a big advantage of the MMM is it allows me to tow my vacuum system behind for pickup of leaves or heavy grass clippings when I have haven't been able to mow frequently enough. No good way to collect stuff with a RFM except by forming a long "train", which is inconvenient in tight spots.

 

[TripleR]

Lots to think about and very good advice given by others.

I own and use MMM, RFM and rotary cutters and for what you describe, I would probably go with a RFM and don't see why you can't go with a 72" RFM instead of a 60". I run a 7' on a Ford NAA and it does well. A RFM is shorter than a bush hog, so you have less leverage per weight and the full weight is supported by the RFM wheels while in use, so there isn't that much effect on handling/ride etc.

For mowing lawns, my preference is MMM and I haven't taken mine off my BX2660 in about a year and a half as it has good ground clearance. My John Deere 2305 has poor clearance and has to be removed to do anything but mow.

 

[2YD]

You didn't say how much you had to mow, but I'll throw my $.02 in favor of a RFM larger than 72"! I went through the same thoughts last year and from the expert opinions here I went for an 84" RFM. Once you've made the determination to go wider than your wheels it comes down to what your PTO can turn, your barn can store and your wallet can afford.

RFM are cheaper than MMM. They come in a variety of widths and are always for sale on CL. You could pick one up dirt cheap, try it for awhile and if you didn't like it probably sell it for the same you paid as used pricing is pretty consistent. As for using a RFM, the extra width allows me to get right up to edging without the tractor getting in the way and the extra width in the wide open spaces just plain eats up the turf. I don't mind backing up to get under and around trees (hydro tranny) and IMO the swing on the RFM is not as great as the swing on a bush-hog if that worries you. What swing there is you eventually get a feel for like everything else. Even with my yard being nothing more than a horse pasture in places, the RFM really makes it look good.

 

[General Lee]

You didn't say how much you had to mow

Well, I probably won't use the Kubota to mow my own lot simply because I have a lawn tractor that can do it in 30 min. My lot is wooded. I would use the Kubota with whatever mowing option I go with to mow on my neighbor's farm, several acres and another family lot which is 3-4 acres. Fairly wide open mowing for both places. At my grandmother's place there is an additional field probably an acre or so that needs to be bush hogged, but I don't think my B3200 would handle it. Grass is 3-4 feet tall at the moment.

I appreciate all the advice so far. BTW, I have noticed the price of MMM, and that may put them out of my decision process..LOL Also these flail mowers have caught my eye???

EDIT to Add: Triple R, you really think my B3200 could handle a 84'' RFM?

 

[TripleR]

Well, I probably won't use the Kubota to mow my own lot simply because I have a lawn tractor that can do it in 30 min. My lot is wooded. I would use the Kubota with whatever mowing option I go with to mow on my neighbor's farm, several acres and another family lot which is 3-4 acres. Fairly wide open mowing for both places. At my grandmother's place there is an additional field probably an acre or so that needs to be bush hogged, but I don't think my B3200 would handle it. Grass is 3-4 feet tall at the moment.

I appreciate all the advice so far. BTW, I have noticed the price of MMM, and that may put them out of my decision process..LOL Also these flail mowers have caught my eye???

EDIT to Add: Triple R, you really think my B3200 could handle a 84'' RFM?

I didn't recommend an 84", but rather a 72", sorry if I gave that impression.
I just don't know that much about it other than power wise it looks to "approximate" that of the NAA and there are variations in weight etc between various makes/models of RFM's. Maybe someone with a B3200 can chip in.

 

[LBrown59]

http://www.dyna.co.za/cars/chev-1.jpg

Lots to think about and very good advice given by others.

I own and use MMM, RFM and rotary cutters and for what you describe, I would probably go with a RFM and don't see why you can't go with a 72" RFM instead of a 60". I run a 7' on a Ford NAA and it does well. A RFM is shorter than a bush hog, so you have less leverage per weight and the full weight is supported by the RFM wheels while in use, so there isn't that much effect on handling/ride etc.

For mowing lawns, my preference is MMM and I haven't taken mine off my BX2660 in about a year and a half as it has good ground clearance.
*My John Deere 2305 has poor clearance and has to be removed to do anything but mow.

*I sure woildn't care for that.

 

[RoyJackson]

I didn't recommend an 84", but rather a 72", sorry if I gave that impression.
I just don't know that much about it other than power wise it looks to "approximate" that of the NAA and there are variations in weight etc between various makes/models of RFM's. Maybe someone with a B3200 can chip in.

With 23 PTO HP, a 72" RFM might be a good fit. My only caveat would be the B3200's weight (just under 1800 lbs per the Everything Attachment website). Seems to me, Kubota doesn't include the tires in the weight...but I could be wrong there.
The reason I write there is adequate PTO power is my 790 has 24...and I was running a 60" mower very easily. That machine begged for a bigger RFM. A 6 foot mower (depending on the manufacturer) weighs around 550 lbs...well within the 790's capacity as well as the B3200's lift capacity.
So, powerwise, the Kubota is ready...you'd need front ballast if you want to transport it raised though.

As far as a 7 foot mower..well, I'm running one of those behind a Deere 4400. It's a big sucker (heavy too...about 700 lbs) and I wouldn't want to try it behind a tractor weighing less then 2500 lbs or less then 26-28 PTO HP. I'd actually prefer a 6' mower (due to the width being within a couple inches of my garage door...also, that wide mower spans lower areas of my lumpy lawn). No, it's not for sale or trade...I'm going to make do.

 

[Will_C]

For the uses you describe in your seond post, I'd recommend the RFM. I mow two lawns around houses. I used my BX with a MMM for 10 years, and now have a ZTR. I also maintain a lot where I plan to build a home. I use a 60" RFM that I bought for $500 on that-it'swide open and if I don't get there every week to mow, the rear discharge on the RFM makes short work of 6-8" grass.

Will

PS- I just saw Roy's post-if I mow with the loader off, I use a 100 lbs of weight on the front of my B2620-and would use another 50 lbs if I had it.

 

[NH-Rob]

I use a 60" rfm and it works well on my b3200 I would think it would handle a 72" fine. The one thing I love about the rfm is getting under trees. I can back it right under and not get hit with any branches. The landpride mower I have is built tough too I have hit many things and the only thing that has broke is the stuff that was hit. I do dislike trying to mow close to objects though. I have a hard time keeping it tight to them if the object has any leagth to it. I use a harbor freight quick hitch and take the mower off every week I do the same with the loader.
Rob

 

[General Lee]

I use a 60" rfm and it works well on my b3200 I would think it would handle a 72" fine. The one thing I love about the rfm is getting under trees. I can back it right under and not get hit with any branches. The landpride mower I have is built tough too I have hit many things and the only thing that has broke is the stuff that was hit. I do dislike trying to mow close to objects though. I have a hard time keeping it tight to them if the object has any leagth to it. I use a harbor freight quick hitch and take the mower off every week I do the same with the loader.
Rob

NH, how thick of grass will your RFM handle and how fast can you finish a 2 -3 acre lot with it?

 

[NH-Rob]

I have used mine to mow tall grass like a bush hog (no trees though) and it does well but the finish is not as good. The speed that you can mow will depend on how open the area is. mowing around stuff slows it down a lot. my lot is only 3/4 an acre of lawn so I cant give you a good estiment.
Rob

 

[TGF]

Depending on what you are mowing a 54 inch or greater ZTR can run circles around most tractor mow decks. I have both a 54 ZTR and 60 inch rotary cutter (I know this isn't a finish deck). The ZTR even though it is smaller for cutting grass is about 3 times as fast and can cut within an inch of most stuff. I use the rotary cutter for rougher terrain with lots of weeds in it. I guess what I am saying is if you are looking at 60 to 72 inch finish decks take a look at a ZTR, it might work better for what you want.

 

[General Lee]

TGF - A ZTR is not in the budget fo sure

 

[ModMech]

We have about 1.5 Ac to finnish mow 1 to 2x per week and also want to be able to collect the leaves and grass clippings from time to time. There are numerous obsticles to navigate as well.

For that purspose, our 54" MMM and 3pt mounted 8Bu collector works very well, we can even tow a trailer with the collector attached if needed.

The disadvantage to a RFM is that EVERY time you want/need the 3pt or PTO you must remove the mower first. With the MMM, we leave it on for most of the year and simply pin it up with the provided securement locations when necessary. Yes, for loader (dirt) or field work, you'd better remove it or it will likely hang you up.