B3200 vs B3300SU and mowing

[tduncan53]

If I go with the 3300SU I'd have to use a rear mount finish mower correct?

For those with experience how do the MMM and rear mount mowers compare?

The tractors are close in price at my local dealer.

Just bought 10ac outside of Portland and need to mow about 5ac, half of which is pasture. The grass to mow does have a sig number of large trees. In addition to mowing clearing trees, garden prep, grading all need to be done.

Any other sig differences in the tractors I'm missing?

Thanks Tim

 

[Tompet]

Correct on the rear mount finish on the B3300SU...no mid pto. The r4 tires on the 3300SU are a larger standard size but if r1 ags or turf tires they will be the same size on either model. Cruise control is an option on the 3300SU. FEL is standard on the 3300SU and I assume you are getting an FEL if you go with the B3200. A little more pto hp is rated on the 3300.

Kubota just came out with a new B3350SU with a few changes and tier iv engine.

5 acres of finish mowing with a lot of trees is similar to what I do, but I went with a zero turn for that part. I'm sure you will get feedback on the 3pt finish mower vs MMM that will help you in your decision.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Have owned MMMs and RFMs before buying Kubota Fs for mowing.
I really like/prefer the RFMs for B and above size tractors. The attach/detach quick and easy and easy to service.
My first RFM was a cheap ($1250) 6' Jolle? lightweight with perfect welds which kept breaking on my less than fairway condition yard. Barlows gave me the $1250 back toward the 6' Landpride $1750 very visible welds RFM built like a tank that never broke. RFMs are usually less than MMMs and can transfer to any tractor with a rear PTO and fairly easy to resale if needed. :2cents:

 

[charleyfarmall]

RFM's are better for more open spaces without a lot of obstacles. The MMM is better to get around trees and rocks. I use both regularly for different spaces on the property. Removing the MMM from my Deere is just as easy as removing a rear mounted implement so I take mine on and off all the time.

 

[chim]

My first tractor had a MMM. All three since that have been equipped with RFM's because they work well for me. I discovered with the last purchase I prefer a rear discharge. I can trim within inches of trees, posts and solar driveway lights on either side of the deck. I place mulch around some things and can avoid the string trimmer.

This is one of those things where personal preference has much to do with it. We all tend to recommend what we have, and some people advise against things that they never had any first hand experience with.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

My first tractor had a MMM. All three since that have been equipped with RFM's because they work well for me. I discovered with the last purchase I prefer a rear discharge. I can trim within inches of trees, posts and solar driveway lights on either side of the deck. I place mulch around some things and can avoid the string trimmer.

This is one of those things where personal preference has much to do with it. We all tend to recommend what we have, and some people advise against things that they never had any first hand experience with.

Have had and currently have both rear and side discharge and much prefer rear discharge decks.

 

[jim_wilson]

I did a lot of back and forth with myself between the B3300SU and the B3200 a couple of years ago when I was looking to get into a B series. I ended up going with the B3200 because I wanted the mid-PTO, just in case I ever needed it. Last year I picked up a 60" Landpride RFM and it's worked well for me on my small property - little bit of a pain getting around some obstacles - but it works good. Plus I only paid $650 for it in very good used condition. They normally go for like $2000 new.

Good luck finding a used mid-mount mower deck for a B3200 - they are very few and far between. Used Landpride RFM's are relatively easy to find on Craigslist. So if it was me I would add another decision factor into the mix: how easy will it be for me to find a used RFM for the tractor and save myself some more money.

The only other thing I can think of that I might add to the tractor that would use the mid PTO - would be a snowblower, but I've pretty much decided to go with a rear mount on that too, so in my case I actually probably should have gone with the B3300SU in the end. I'm still happy with the tractor though. I just wish I could figure out how to bump it up a little to the B3300SU specs.

 

[whistlepig]

A friend let me try his Kubota with a MMM and loader on it. While doing loader work the lack of ground clearance on the MMM caused the deck to get scrunched easily. I didn't like that part of a MMM. With a RFM I can put the QA loader on when needed, raise the RFM, and do some quick loader work. And the RFM adds some ballast to the rear when doing loader work.