Mid-Mount Mower FEL with a mid-mount mower???

[Knight9]

Hi all,

Anybody have any comments on the use of a FEL with a mid-mount mower still attached? Is there enough clearance still to do the regular stuff? What about using a tiller? Mower in the way?? I've been told that the mid-mounts are much better "finish" mowers and easier to manouver...but isn't a rear mower easier to attach/detach?

Comments? Thanks.

Kevin
Still working on signature file!

 

[Bird]

Kevin, you can use the FEL and/or tiller with the mid-mount mower still attached, but I think the simply answer to your questions is "Yes, you can do it, but you probably ain't gonna like it." The deck'll probably be sticking out on the side and in the way sometimes and the ground clearance will be less; not insurmountable obstacles, but inconvenient. Personally, I don't think a mid-mount mower mows any better than the rear mower, but depending on your terrain, obstacles to mow around, being able to look down to see what you're doing instead of looking back can be advantages to the mid-mount. Disadvantages include being more trouble to hook up and/or remove, higher cost, and limited to that particular tractor model.

Bird

 

[RBrown]

Kevin,
I've got a 2710 with FEL and 72" midmount mower and until I had a chance to first use the tractor without the mower I thought it worked pretty well. However, once I removed the mower for winter, WOW what a difference it made. With the 72" mower I didn't realize how much weight was added to the tractor and how often I had to check both sides to made sure I had clearance. I chose the 72" midmount because I use the tractor to mow right up to the house and around every obstacle in the yard, and I didn't want to have a sore neck after each mowing. Bird is right, the cost is quite a bit higher and I don't really think the cut is any better. The deck is basically a rear finish mower setup to mount to the undercarriage of the tractor. One other conflict that I have with using the loader and mower combo is that getting the lock pins in can be a little bit of a trick to do. The frame that the loader is mounted to is very tight to the top of the deck and getting a small pin in on each side is a pain. However, it is a lot easier on the tractor and is worth the pain. Detaching the deck really wasn't that big of a deal using the loader to lift the front end of the tractor. I think it really depends on what you are going to be doing. If you are starting a major landscaping project I would remove the deck, but if you are moving a pile of dirt or gravel I would leave the deck on. Either way I would still have bought the midmount deck and loader combo.

 

[ronjhall]

Kevin: I will have to agree with Bird and Rob. I have a 2910 with the same setup. I tired to remove the mower by the manual. I don't think it can be done. However, lifting up the front end with the loader is no problem. May be easier than trying to put an attachment on the 3 pt.

ronh/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[bpence]

I've used both mid and rear mounted finish mowers and prefer the mid-mount for manuverability reasons. I think they cut about the same. As far as hook-up goes, it takes 5-7 minutes to attach/unattach the mid-mount to my B7100. It takes about 5 minutes to hook-up and adjust the bush hog....probably about like a rear finish mower. I don't think one's really any harder than the other, just different. A mid-mount will cost you a bit more and can be used with the FEL, but for any serious FEL work I'd take the deck off. I don't really know about the mid-mount and a rear tiller.....never tried that.

Bob Pence

 

[Thomas]

Bob,
Wonder how its was going for a FEL for your B7100,or are you just going to purchase a Kubota B1630C FEL at Kubota dealer.

When you do purchase your FEL are you going to change your muffler exhaust system vertical w/ a longer pipe.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Dale Binkley]

All the advice above is good, better to take mower off when using the FEL. I have found that even the simplest loader job of moving a pile of mulch is easier without the mower deck in the way. Invariably you will find mulch building up under the mower deck. Tilling the garden will give the same result - dirt building up under the mower deck.

 

[DDT]

This might be of some interest to mid mount mower guys. I had a JD 755. I sure got tired of wresling that 350LB hog all the time. I built a set of ramps that fit between the front and back tires, angled legs and the ramp just cleared the top of the mower, lock the font axle in gear and drive on and back off. worked slick!
DDT

 

[Knight9]

Dana,

Can you post a photo of those ramps. With the tractor on would be great if possible. I'm having trouble visualizing.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[jyoutz]

DDT That sounds like it would be handy, but I can't visualize how they're constructed. Could explain futher or post a photo?

 

[markcg2000]

I agree; need a picture or drawing /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I've tried to come up with something like that but couldn't think how to drive on, disconnect the mower, the drive off.

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[DDT]

OK, I have traded the 855 on on a 4300, still have the ramps so I'll need your help to visulize the mower deck.

 

[DDT]

my ramp is 6" wide, the width as the front tire. ramp frame made out of 1"sq steel and cross bars are 1/2" rebar every 4".
I made this to fit a 755 with a 60" deck, it just fits over the deck, height and lenth. ramps are tight getting in and out but it works with practic. the angled legs can only go as far as your tires are apart. the 855 is 6" longer frame so it work real nice, enough room to get it in place.
direction's to unhook-
put mower on the ground
unhook PTO & all linkage
place ramps in place
you will need 4x4 lock in
back off
your free & gone
I hope this makes sence
DDT

 

[Knight9]

DDT,

Let me paraphrase to ensure I understand...You are lowering and unhooking your mower so it is laying free on the ground. You are then placing your ramps over top of the mower, then backing up onto the ramp (basically on top of the mower) and then off the back of the ramp leaving your mower sitting on the ground with the ramps over it.

Is that correct??

Kevin

 

[bpence]

Unfortunately, my financial advisor has indicated budget constraits will force reconsideration of the FEL acquisition at this time (my wife said: "you want to buy what for how much?").

A couple of things have changed my focus at the moment. We just had to have the well/pump pulled and a new submersible pump installed. It was interesting not having running water for 24 hrs. Anyway, almost $2,000 later, we have water again, new well pipe, and a new pump at the bottom of our 250' well. And with two kids in college and another due to head that way in a year and a half, I understand her concern over finances and didn't feel the time was right to push the issue , although there just has to be a way. Some how, some where.

I was ready to get a Woods quick attach loader for the B7100. Kubota dealer had one in stock and could do the install in 2 days. $2,615 installed, taxes, pick up and return. He said they would do the exhaust stack for me either way. I don't mind the horizontal exhaust, so I was going to leave it that way.

Anyway, thanks for asking. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Bob Pence

 

[DDT]

Kevin
You are right!
I did find out that R-4's work better than turf's for crawling the ramp.
DDT

 

[MReeter]

RBrown,ronihall, We also have B2710 with 72" mid-mount,and loader. Our mower deck is the same one we used on our B2150.I have always driven over this deck to hook/unhook.MUCH easier and quicker than raising the tractor up with the loader.You want to raise all the gauge wheels all the up,this lets the deck lower to the ground[always do this on turf or gravel] unhook the pins,raise your lift up out of the way,back front tires up on top deck[I use some 2by6 blocks to help tires up onto deck] when the tractor is on top of the deck,I then unhook driveshaft,then finish backing off the deck.After doing this a few times,it's a very easy task.I don't like to climb over the deck with the FEL on the tractor,that puts a lot weight on the deck,but the deck is designed to easily handle the weight of the front end of the tractor.This is an easier process for ME,can't say it would be for anyone else,until they try it.