field mowing with MMM

[prosperity]

I have a job to do on a 6 acre field. I've walked the whole field and find no obstructions anywhere and the ground is all even. The grass is about 8"-10" high and was mowed a few times last year with a rotary cutter. I'd like to do this with my MMM (JD2210/62"MMM). I would do it with the deck all the way up leaving about a 5" cut. Does anyone think I'm taking on too much for this set up? I realize that my MMM is supposed to be a finish mower, but I don't see much of a problem doing this field. Any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I use my MMM to mow a 2.5 acre field; same thing deck all the way up, discharge chute up (except anywhere near the road). I’m concerned this year because the grass is about 2 ft tall now – rain, rain, rain and yes it’s raining now. I think I’ll still be ok, I may have to cut it twice or just cut earlier for the next mow.

Dog

 

[JohnMiller3]

Is it the kind of field where kids can fall down and roll around in nice "gentle" grass, smooth ripple free ground... like an overgrown golf course?

If so... then I don't see a problem...

But, if it's a "typical field" and rough hardy field grass... all 6 acres worth... I wouldn't abuse an expensive mmm mower over it... the potential damage to your mower just isn't worth it...

 

[Chief]

I cut my pasture with a 72" MMM on my 4410. I just make sure it is way up high.

 

[BubbaJr]

Last spring I mowed a trail in one of my woods that had Joe Pie weeds about 10 feet tall. I had the 72"MMM all the way up, and went slow. It took 2 passes to get it even, but it worked fine. As long as you are sure there aren't any hidden obstructions, and you take it slow if you hear the engine bog down a little, you should be all right. I've also mowed 10-36" weeds several times with mine, and it works OK. One problem you may have is wet grass build-up under the deck.

 

[tdenny]

I use my RFM to mow areas that are not "real" lawn. It works well I just raise it close to the highest level and go.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've mowed about an acre of tall field grass with my 2210/62C and it worked fine. Just watch out for holes/high spots that can push the deck up against the tractor, get you potentially high centered, or damaging a mower blade.

 

[SethO]

Prosperity,

For that kind of "light duty", it may be better to get a cheap rotary cutter and save possible damage to your MMM.

SethO

 

[Mosey]

The last time I mowed my yard with my rear finish mower, the grass was well over 10" tall and thick (it's been raining so much I hadn't been able to mow for 2 weeks), so I don't see a problem, just go slow. I wouldn't make a habit of it, but once in a while should be OK. Watch out though, unless you've walked every square foot of it, don't be surprised if you hit something that will damage a finish mower but wouldn't hurt a bush hog.

 

[prosperity]

Thanks for all the replies and input. The more I read the posts, the more it went with my gut feeling to begin with. Agreed - for a small area once in a while would be OK. But this is nothing but a field with tough field grass (thanks JohnMiller3). This is definitely a job more suited for a rotary cutter (which I don't have yet). If I could have mowed it with a rotary cutter a few times, I then might turn it over to a finish mower after it was all down and chopped up.
Anyway, I turned down the job. My set up does such a fantastic job with finish mowing that I surely don't want to mess it up.
All your input is greatly appreciated - what a great forum we have here!

 

[lynnmll]

<font color="green"> I mow about 8 acres with the 2210 and the 62" MMM it works great. I cut it with a brush hog last year and then earlier this year before it got tall I started cutting it with the 2210 and have had no problems. I cut at 4"to 5" tall. I cut it at least one time per month.

If your job isn't too tall and is clear I would have no problem of cutting it with my mower. </font>

 

[prosperity]

Update today -
Talked with the folks with the field again today. They really want me to do this piece. I took care of the property around the house last week that was never mowed either (see this post ). So we decided that it needed cut down with a rotary cutter first to make it manageable. I'd like to have a rotary cutter anyway, so I told him I'd check the prices and if not too much, I'll just buy one and do it. The other alternative was to have a local farmer bush hog it, then I would take over after that with my machine. This all seems to work for me.
So....I made a couple phone calls pricing a 4' rotary cutter today. Wow, I never realized it would be that much. Price for a Woods was $800, and a Land Pride for $879 (prices from different dealers). I thought I could get away with $500. Oh well, guess I'll do without for that price. It would have been nice to have when looking at other jobs.
So as it stands now, we'll have it cut next week, then I'll hit it with my MMM after that and keep it down. I feel much more comfortable doing it this way so I can see what I'm doing.

 

[MarkV]

Those prices sound about the same as quoted around here for the major name brands….BUT…. there are plenty of 4' rotary mower brands out there in the $500 - $600 range. It sounds like you would be an occasional user and not trying to clear heavy brush and these mowers work just fine. I would look a little more.

MarkV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You can get a King Kutter 4' rotary cutter for about $565. at tractor supply co. But you could do it by raising your MMM to the highest point and go from there!