general questions regarding implements.

[RCannon]

First my info....I'm considering buying a tractor and know little about them so I have a few questions. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif


1. Belly mount versus a tow behind rear discharge. thoughts? I have a four wheeler with a mower behind it so I am used to it.

2. Box scaper versus a blade? do I need a blade? How often does one use a blade or scraper? We live in mid michigan

3. Ten acres of land with a pond here. I mow maybe 4 max..How big of a tractor is REALLY necessary?

 

[Slamfire]

With a small tractor you'd probably spend about 8 hours mowing your 4 acres. If it is lawn you'll need a finish mower, if it is field, a bush hog. I assume you want to grade your driveway which is the main use for a blade of some sort. What else did you have in mind.

 

[Henro]

Hi RCannon,

Welcome to TBN...

I bought a RFM with my B2910 last year and it is good, except when cutting around things like my pond or close to a fence or around trees. The problem is that I got a 60" and my rear tires are 54 inches wide. Almost no overhang, so it is difficult to cut close to things.

Additionally when cutting around the edge of the pond, as the tractor wheels move left for example, the mower tends to move away from the pond edge, rather than closer to it as a MMM would.

My advice is to get as wide a RFM as you can and to get a rear discharge unit too, so you can get in close as possible on either side.

I am trading in my RFM towards the purchase of a Kubota BX with MMM. [note I said RFM, not the B2910, that stays!] My property is such that the bx makes more sense, lots of trees and different things to get in the way, and very little solid, open patches of grass to cut, where the rfm would shine. We only have 3.7 acres to deal with.

A rear blade works better in the snow than the box scraper, at least for me. The box scraper is a wonderful tool if you are dealing with moving/cleaning up dirt as it is dragged on the surface and will follow the ground. Also with the scarifiers down it will dig the hard stuff much better than my cheap back blade...

Tractor size is dependent upon what you want to do and how fast. You probably don't need anything bigger than a BX Kubota or something similar...unless you want to lift something heavier than the about 400 lbs that the loader maxes out at... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Do some searches of the archives...you will find a wealth of info/experience/opinion on tractor sizing needs!

 

[RCannon]

Thnaks for answers guys.
The MMM is sounding better as we have a LOT of trees to mow around..although not very big.
We do a lot of landscaping, hauling mulch, making flower beds, gardening etc...
Blade will be used for grading the driveway and maybe smoothing some dirt on occasion.
As for how large of tractor... I'm just trying not to be influenced by testosterone levels /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[fivestring]

Remember, the bigger the tractor, the less you can manuver it around. If you do any plowing or tilling those beds in soft stuff, the MMM might get in the way. Please fill out more of your BIO for us. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RCannon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( the MMM might get in the way )</font>
How easy is it to take this off?
I like the idea of a tiller, but after spring how much use does it have?
back to the mowers..
rear discharge mowers..good/bad?
thanks again!

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue"> 2. Box scaper versus a blade? do I need a blade? How often does one use a blade or scraper? We live in mid michigan
</font>

Box scraper is good for dirt, gravel and such but about worthless for snow. Rear blade is great for snow and somewhat useful for dirt etc. Where in Mid-Michigan? If you are in lake effect areas even a rear blade can be challenged. FEL and/or snowblower could be in order for deep snow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RCannon]

In the center of the thumb..Imlay City.
I will have the FEL thanks to all the convincing posts here and the hours of backache at home. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I was leaning towards the rear blade.
This is probably the wrong forum to ask this, so maybe someone can point out the right one... Tires...ag or turf? Filled or not?

thanks

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue"> Tires...ag or turf? Filled or not?
</font>

Do a search, there has been a lot of discussion on tires in the past. If you don't find everything there is to know about them, start a new thread /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RCannon]

Thanks Rob...this statement sorta summed it up...
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> In summary to this point, we have those who swear by R4's, those who swear at R4's, those who prefer R1's, those who like R3's. I guess it's one of those "Actual mileage may vary" types of things, depends on your lawn, soil type, driving style, etc.
</font> )</font>

Ahhh...Confusion..the 51st state /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Certainly a tiller is not something you'll use more than a couple times a year (usually spring to prepare for planting and fall to till after the harvest, if you choose) but nothing can replace them when you do need them. They can also come in quite handy for breaking up hard soil you want to move with your FEL or rear blade.

Rear discharge mowers are preferred by many for a couple of reasons. Unlike side discharge mowers, they can be used next to a building going in either direction. They also cut down on grass buildup and windrowing. Essentially you get a better looking cut with taller grass than you will with a side discharge mower. The rear discharge leaves the grass over the width of your cut rather than trying to force it all out a side chute.

 

[RCannon]

anybody correct me here or add... I don't even have a tractor yet!
MMM..harder to clean than tow behind.
MMM.. easier to mow around obstacles.
MMM..causes issues when doing other work...ie tilling
MMM... difficult to remove???
Tow behind..How high can you lift them to clean under them?
Are they easy to hook up?

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't even have a tractor yet! )</font>

Well, neither do I, so I guess that qualifies me to answer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( MMM..harder to clean than tow behind.
)</font>

Yup!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( MMM.. easier to mow around obstacles.
)</font>

Generally speaking, yes. Some will say that it just takes a little getting used to with a RFM. But you can back the RFM under low tree brances and such. Can't do that with a MMM.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( MMM..causes issues when doing other work...ie tilling
)</font>

Yes, ground clearance problems. Nothing like getting hung up on a 2" mound! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( MMM... difficult to remove???
)</font>

From what I've heard, they're considering having ALL MMM's painted blue because they've been cursed at so often!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tow behind..How high can you lift them to clean under them?
)</font>

Depends on your particular tractor. You've probably seen a few pictures of RFM's in the raised position. You should be able to lift them high enough to fairly easily spray with a hose or pressure washer.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are they easy to hook up?
)</font>

Again, it kind of depends on the particular tractor you've got. But as with most things, a little practice goes a long way. Definitely easier than most MMM's. There are the new attaching systems, like JD's I-Match, or after market quick hitch systems that you can put on your 3 pt hitch, but I think once you do that, you're limited to only being able to use implements with that particular system. I could mistaken on that though.

Like I said, I don't have my tractor yet either. But after reading everything I can on TBN, I don't believe I'll ever have a MMM. But of course, that's just my opinion! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[fivestring]

Ditto on Golfgar4's answer. MMM's advantage is mowing close to stuff. Most everything else is a disadvantage. If you plan to do any plowing at all, the MMM will have to come off. If you go in the woods, the MMM will have to come off. I have a rear discharge First Choice rear mount mower. Much easier to clean, take off, put back on, service, etc. That's my 02. Hope this helps...... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[gws]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
MMM..harder to clean than tow behind.
MMM.. easier to mow around obstacles.
MMM..causes issues when doing other work...ie tilling
MMM... difficult to remove???
Tow behind..How high can you lift them to clean under them?
Are they easy to hook up?
)</font>

The answer to all these questions are "It depends". It depends on what tractor, what mower. Some MMM come up pretty far so cleaning isnt an issue, some dont. Some use the 3pt for lift, some dont. How easy is to mount, again it depends. SOme MMM just slide under, some you have to drag. Simiarl issue with towables. If your on a nice concrete floor attaching is its easier than on dirt.