Finishing Mower vs. MMM?

[tractorworks]

My vote is rear finish if you have lawn mower allready. Takes some getting used to but trimming around trees with overhanging branches is easier-especially with a hydrostatic trans. Taking it off is easier. 3 hp can mean lot when mowing.

 

[MOPAULY]

as for the MMM.. I have the 60 and it does a great job.. no need for the "fine cut" which is available on the 54 deck.

Kind of hard to say if you don't own one, isn't it? I could say the standard deck sucks, but I don't, because I don't know what it cuts like.

 

[DK35vince]

I have a side discharge MMM on my 1 tractor and a rear discharge rear mount mower on the other.
Personally I prefer the rear discharge rear mount mower. Easier on/off and with the rear discharge I can trim from either side, mow in any direction without windrowing all the clippings into the middle and mow along the road without throwing debris into traffic.
Also the rear mount mowers are generally much cheaper to buy.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm crowding 51 too. Had too many one-trick-ponyies in my time. Considered the mmm when I bought my BX for ... about 1 second. $1500+ (here in Kaulifornia), no way. I have a '92 MTD 42" POS that will not die. I'm not **** about a lawn either. I have an extra $15'K' just lying around ("making babies") and wouldn't consider the Kubota MMM for $1500.
I can get a "reasonable" finish cut with my BushHog (SQ48) via expert operation. If I want a much better, and faster, finish cut, I'll use the MTD POS.
Note that I spent a LOT of time finish grading the majority of my 5 ac. to get to this perspective, by design. Also note that I live in arid Kaulifornia and don't have to mow green grass more than 4 times, even in a "wet" year.
If I had to do more green mowing, I still wouldn't buy a MMM, I'd use a rear discharge RFM.
And, no, again, I don't own a MMM for my BX so whomever wants to disqualify my comments on that basis can feel free to do so.
Cheers!

 

[Jibber]

Kind of hard to say if you don't own one, isn't it? I could say the standard deck sucks, but I don't, because I don't know what it cuts like.

I just know how the lawn looks.. and I used to mow for a golf course.. so I've worked with some pretty fine mowing units.

 

[CMRVA]

Thanks everyone for the knowledge and advice. Went and did it- bought a B7800 and added a Woods RD7200 6ft. finishing mower after reading these posts and talking it over with my dealer, who is awesome.

I'm sure to be back asking a ton of questions about the tractor as I get my country place going. Four horses and 11 acres, stocked pond will all have me putting the Kubota to the "city guy" test. So far, I'd still rather be playing golf.

 

[crbr]

........ So far, I'd still rather be playing golf.

You should have posted this question on a golf forum.

 

[CMRVA]

I think you're right! I saw a post about Verlander's no-hitter and no one knew who he was, and one guy said "basketball". Tractors are fun and are utilitarian, but will never be my hobby. Got to do something else with the free time!

 

[Snatchface]

My BX is going on 2 weeks old and I have to say that I regret buying the MMM. It is quite a hastle getting it on and off, which is mandatory if you are going to be doing any real tractor work in-between mows. Also I find that it does not do as good a job cutting as my old Husqvarna lawn tractor does, and the lawn tractor is much more convenient to use. Just hop on and start mowing - no fumbling with greasy PTO couplers. At a cost of $1500 for the 54" deck I could have bought a new mower. Those are the cons - here are the pros: 1.) the size of it and speed increase really cuts down on the amount of time mowing - by about half for me, 2.) the deck and blades are so heavy duty that you can mow through practically anything and not have to worry about bending the blades or damaging the deck, 3.) its just more fun mowing with your tractor - although that novelty may wear off (hope not).

 

[tonybada]

Thanks everyone for the knowledge and advice. Went and did it- bought a B7800 and added a Woods RD7200 6ft. finishing mower after reading these posts and talking it over with my dealer, who is awesome.

I'm sure to be back asking a ton of questions about the tractor as I get my country place going. Four horses and 11 acres, stocked pond will all have me putting the Kubota to the "city guy" test. So far, I'd still rather be playing golf.

Which dealer did you go to? I live in Mechanicsville and also own a Cub Cadet I got from Cavalier (ashland) and I am considering a compact tractor as well. What kind of a deal did you get on the B7800 if you don't mind me asking.