Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60" v 72"

[EldoNixon]

Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

I spent the weekend looking at all of my finalists, and think the 4115 is the best fit for my needs. Kubota BX22 is too small, 7500 and larger use rolling decks, the Kioti can't use MMM w/BH, etc. Nothing is perfect, but the 4115 seems to fit the majority of my needs and still give some room for error. I want the smallest (lightest) tracor to handle my 3pt needs, but I don't want to give up suspended mmm. I should buy a 4110, but I'd like the extra hp of 4115. I don't want to go to 4210 (too big and heavy.) I plan to use a BH to install a septic system, etc and to use a tiller pretty seriously (about an acre).
I'm thinking 4115, 410 loader (53"bucket w/toothbar & pallet fforks), 60" mmm w/suspension lock-up & mulching deck, tiller (ideas, 655?), back blade, PH digger, block heater, and eventually 46 BH. I want to try and get it all at once to take advantage of the low financeing (and not have to get my wife's approval in the future.) I saw in another post that the 46 loader "should" be compatible with MMM. Any more info?
My concern w/ 60" deck is that it doesn't extend much beyond the tractor. Can you get close w/this? I have a lot of mature (36"-48" diameter) maples to trim around. My current deck extends about 6-10 inches beyond on both sides. It's great for getting close under the hastas and lillies bordering our trees, and walks. Does anyone have the 72". How well does is cut? My land is rolling, will it scalp a lot more than the 60"? I would sure like the extra foot. Plus, I think it will still fit everywhere I need to go. I'm really worried about scalping. I also mow my field w/my mmm. I'm sure that the 4115 will have enough hp for the 72" through long grass--only about 6-7" when I cut it now. Mowing is very important to me. I have a B&B and i need to finish mow about 3 acres once to twice per week.
The dealer has a 4115 he wants to move. So I'll see how tempting he can make it. I know that the new decks are green, this one has a yellow deck, even though it's new. Are there any differences on the new green deck other thant colour? I'm not talking 7 iron, they only fit 4210+.
Also it has a fixed rops, would it be expensive to swich to folding? Should be the dealer just swapping, right? The in-stock unit has turfs, but I'm worried that they won't let me till. But overall, I think turfs will work best for me. I guess I can always get a set of ags if I need them, or could I use chains w/ the turfs if I need more traction?
I'd appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

Eldo,

I'll offer my opinion on the 2 items I have experience with.

1. Folding Rops--I would really have to trim my trees up high in order to mow with the ROPS up. Depending on the type of trees you are mowing around, the folding ROPS might be the only way to go.

2. Tilling with Turfs. I recently used my 4010 and a 50 inch tiller to turn an old pasture into a space that could be mowed with the mmm. While I did need 4wd to do it, traction was not a problem with the turfs. If you're doing a lot of mowing (and it sounds like you will be) then turfs would probably be the way to go.

Good Luck

Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

I can't answer your scalp question as yet. I'm sure it increases the chances. All depends on the waves in your cutting surface.

I have a 60" MMM with my 4310. Used it for one summer and then took on more mowing. It also just spans the rear tires. I wanted to go with the 72 to increase my mowing width but also to be a able to reach out or under things to get close to things. Right now I have to use care as the tractor is as close as the edge of the deck.

I called last fall and asked about trading up to the 72. It was $1100 to trade. Had I gotten the 72 with the 4310 it would have been 500 more at that time. I made my choice of the 60" coming from a JD 445 L&G. It had a 54" deck and going to the 60 seemed like a huge step. Once I got the 4310 I started to think the 72 would have fit my needs much better.

I'm in the process of getting the 72" MMM. If the 72" is offered on the 4115 the only question would be how well it might perform in the higher grass. Other owners might comment.

As a side note. I first looked at the 4115 thinking the 4210 was too large for me as well. The actual price difference was not all that much if I recall. Once I decided to move up to the 4210 I compared and ended up with the 4310. It felt too big at first but I sure did get used to it.

Craig

 

[EldoNixon]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

Thanks guys. That makes me feel a lot better about the turfs. I really think they will be the best choice overall, and I certainly don't mind using the 4wd. Heck, that's part of the reason I want to update my JD 400.
As for the deck, I expect I should go with the 72". I have a 60" deck now on my L&G tractor and it still takes me 5 hours to mow.
As far as upgrading to the 4210, i should go ahead and look at the 4710 the way I keep moving myself up. 3 years ago I thought my L&G tractor would be all I need, but now I "need" a loader and backhoe and bigger tractr. It's funny how easy it is to move yourself up. But, I really think I want to stay on the small frame. The 4210 is about 900lbs heavier, as I remember. I have two septic systems and leachfields that I mow over now, and I need to add a third. So I really want to stay as light as possible. That's what appeals to me about the 4115.
Thanks for your input. This is a really big decision for me. I've been agonizing over it for 2 years. In dact, I almost pulled the trigger on the BX until I paid a farmer to put in my garden this year. When I saw how easily he did it with a bigger tractor it really got me thinking.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

Yeah, you could get up to the 4710, if you keep stepping up!

From your posts, I think you are going about everything perfectly. I think the 4115 with 72" deck will do very well for you. As powerful as you can get in the small size.

The 46 sounds like it will be very nice, the bigger hoes all work with the mmm, If they say the 46 will, it should be great.

 

[EldoNixon]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

I'm glad to know that someone thinks that I make sense. I should have my wife read this... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But can I do stunts and jump hay bales with the 4115 like you can?

 

[Chief]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

The 72" mmm is EVERY BIT of what the 4115 can turn. That said, as long as you are not trying to mow very tall grass, you should be fine. You will also find that the 72" mmm does not allow you much room to maneuver and is more suited to wide open spaces. I moderate amount of trimming can be done. I have found that my John Deere F525 can cut circles around my 4410 in the yard and don't even bother to use it for that. I use the mmm to cut open pasture area that I have VERY CAREFULLY walked and spents MANY hours removing rocks. If you have any extensive amount of trimming or obstacles where you mow, you will find the 72" mmm a RPITA. The 72" mmm is a good piece of equipment for what is what designed for which is cutting large open areas with not much trimming. I cut about 4 acres with the F525 and the rest I cut with the 4410 which is about 7 acres. The F525 is EXTREMELY manueverable with an off set front 48" mower. Not nearly as big as the 72" mmm but can cut more and cut it faster because of the tighter spaces it can get into and the nearly zero turn radius. Just wanted you to understand what you are getting. You will find that professional mowers cut with a 60" mower for these reasons. The 4115 is a nice tractor and will do what you are wanting but with the 72" mmm it will not be as athletic as you might think. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

I've got to weigh in on this one. I've had my 72" mmm on my 4410 since April and have probable mowed once a week every week ever since. I have actually bogged down the 4410 in heavy grass and I think you will be way over matched with a 4115. Also, if you mow anything more than plain flat grass areas you will scalp and scalp and scalp again. This deck is so heavy the anti-scalp wheels actually scalp.
Don't get me wrong, I love the cut and speed of my 72" but at times I feel like my 4410 is right on the edge.
Think about it.

 

[Chief]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

If your mmm is scalping that much you don't have it adjusted properly. I have stalled my mmm out 1 time and that was my fault for not seeing a tree root. Mind you I said stalled the mower out. The mower stopped turning completely but the engine just kept turning and sounded like it was under a lot heavier load but maintained rpm (this only occured for less than a few seconds before I hit the pto knob as well as noting the belt smoke) If you are bogging down the mmm, you are cutting vegetation that is waaaaay too much for it. It is NOT a rotary cutter. The mid pto is not designed for that much of a load on it. You should either raise the deck height and then make a second pass after lowering the deck height or use a rotary cutter.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

I have adjusted the mower correctly. By the book. The only way to prevent scalping with a deck this heavy is to buldoze the fields level or cut your grass at 6 inches. As soon as the nose roller hits the ground you have a plough. The deck is way too heavy for the roller to roll.
The poster wants to use this deck to mow his "yard". His wife will come out and say "Honey what are all those streaks in the yard"
The answer is exposed top soil everytime the elevation changed or he turned and dragged a wheel. This deck is too heavy for pretty yard work.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

EldoNixon,

If you dont buy that 4115, I will. Is it the one parked behind the dealer with the FEL and yellow 60"MMM? I looked at it this past weekend when I was up in Saratoga. I went by your place on my way out there.

Anyway, my dealer just got a date from John Deere for the 4110 I ordered. Get this, Aug 2004!!!! I don't know what I'm going to do. I know this date is real because I saw it on the order screen next to my order number and name. I was thinking I would just spend the extra money and get a 4310 with the 72"MMM but I came to my senses and realized that this would be way to big for me and would make mowing harder than it is now with my push mower. Kind of defeats my purpose for getting a CUT in the first place.

I'm sure the 4115 will fit the bill for all you plan. Some jobs will take longer than on a bigger tractor but they will still get done. Let me know if you pass on the 4115 and I will be back up in Toga land this weekend. Maybe I will look you up.

Craig

 

[Steve_in_SEMich]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

I have the 60" MMM on my 4115 - it cuts my lawn beautifully. Scalping: the bigger the deck, the more it will scalp. Rollers help, but don't prevent. That being said, if you are mowing a lawn with a garden tractor/lawn mower now, the 4115 w/ a 60" or 72" should do fine. However, you will be disappointed if you want to cut field grass over 5" tall. For large areas, why not consider a gang-reel mower that's towed behind any garden/CUT? They're about $300-$700 cheaper than a MMM, and will do the same area in about half the time. I find my 60" very manuverable and whatever I can't get on the first pass (circle), I apply a little roundup to eliminate 2nd passes. Hopefully, all the 4100/4110/4115 owners will hear more about the 46 backhoe soon.

 

[Chief]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

With the support casters wheels and rear anti-scalp wheels set at the proper adjustment height, scalping is minimized. If the ground contour changes that much, the wheels should touch ground and raise that section of the mower an minimize the scalp. Try moving another set of front wheel spacers under the wheel pivot shaft and another knotch on the rears. Mine does fine cutting uneven pasture.

 

[EldoNixon]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

Well, the dealer is telling me that the 72" is too much for the machine-- even in ankle high grass. So that's out.
I got my numbers from the dealer. I know this machine has been sitting for a while and they want to move it, but the numbers aren't as aggressive as I hoped. Craig, feel free to get it if you're ready. That was the one. They have a new deck on order--a green 60". They can't use the yellow one. Call Brady, and tell him I said it was ok. I really like the dealership.
My B&B is nearby, so bring it by on your way to Cooperstown so that I can try it on my property. They won't demo units with mower decks for liablility reasons. I'll put you up in a suite if you let me try the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It just can't be an easy decision.

 

[Chief]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

I honestly think you will be much better off with the 60" mmm. Especially on a 4115. By the way a GOOD price for a 4115 HST, R-4's, Folding ROPS, Dual mid SCV's, and I-match would be around $13,750 but that might make em' squeel a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[EldoNixon]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

Chief:
What about a squealing price on 410 loader, 60" MMM, Good quality tiller (they sell Howard.) And does your pricing suggestion include the current rebates. I know that theirs about $1000 available with this equipment choices.
Thanks.

 

[hazmat]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 72\"

<font color="blue"> Well, the dealer is telling me that the 72" is too much for the machine-- even in ankle high grass. So that's out </font>

I'd take that with a grain of salt. I run a 60" MMM on my TC18 - 18HP. = 60/18 = 3.33 Inch / HP. 72/24 = 3 Inch /HP. If you are mowing 1 - 2 times per week you shouldn't have any problems.

My backyard is flat, the front is pretty steep. Need low range on the hill, but back yard is in high range. I have 1 acre of grass.

 

[Chief]

Re: Help: 4115 getting close--input on mmm 60\" v 7

Here is a link to a John Deere dealer who sells on the net. This should give you an idea as to ball park prices. Their implement prices are pretty good!


Link to John Deere Dealer