Mid-Mount Belly Mowers for Jinma/FarmPro/Nortrac??

jordanh · Mar 3, 2004

I'm considering picking up a 20-22hp 4wd tractor of one of the above makes....since they are basically the same. My primary use will be for mowing a good part of 2.5 acres and I want a good finish quality mower for the yard portion.

I see that Tractor Connection has a belly mower for $1500 if bought with a tractor. I suspect this is a chinese mower and wonder about the quality of cut, etc.

Anyone have any ideas, information in this regard. I would consider a rear mounted finish mower if there is a good recommendation. I just figured it would make things more difficult in the yard although the yard is roomy.

Thanks!

:^D

greg_g · Mar 3, 2004

Dunno where you live Jordan, but Rural King is selling a 20hp Jinma (JM200) two wheel drive with a belly mower and turf tires for $3999

See web page. If you're just mowing a reasonably flat small acreage, I'm not sure you even need 4wd.

//greg//

jordanh · Mar 3, 2004

Thanks for the heads up on the Rural King deal...hadn't seen that one. I live in Mid Missouri so Carbondale wouldn't be too far.

I figgered 4wd was a better investment and would deliver more power and versatility. The ground is fairly level...nothing real steep and certainly not for long distances....more just a bit of slope down to the roadway along the front yard's road frontage. Pretty gentle really.

But I thought if I wanted to do any grading, digging, tilling, etc. that 2WD would be too weak without the extra traction.

I suppose front weights and filled tires could make up for it.

Thoughts????

:^D

DIYGuy · Mar 4, 2004

For that size acerage, I'd avoid the Mid-Mount and use a RFM. Cheap RFM will be $1100, a good one will be $1500.

On the Chinese tractors, the MMM attaches to the rear PTO and is difficult to connect to the tractor. (You back over the mower to get it aligned) A rear mount is 5 minutes off/on tops. With the MMM connected, the tractor has very limited ground clearance, and you can't use the PTO or 3pt. lift.

The RFM will float much better than the MMM, giving a better cut. A RFM can be backed under trees amd into corners. The MMM is less manuverable in this respect, but you can turn a tighter corner with the MMM. That being said, mowing with my tractor is complete overkill, I have a very small grass section at the house with Gazebos and statues and I have no problem using the RFM to mow the whole thing in uder 30 minutes and 1/2 of that time is spent backing into the various corners, nooks, and cranies of the lawn.

For me, the bottom line is ease of attachment. MMM=Hard, RFM=Easy.

FWIW

JohnS · Mar 4, 2004

Here is a link to pics of the Jinma MMM. http://www.johnstractor.com/JMBellyMower.html
Notice the rear pto pic, and you can visualize what DIYGuy is talking about. The MMM has a 5' cut, while a RFM you can easily go to 6'. The MMM probably causes issues with FEL mounting, as well. Also, there have been some issues with wheels and blades with the RFM Jinma mower, that probably apply to the MMM.

jordanh · Mar 4, 2004

Good stuff guys....thanks again.

So is there a generally preferred make/model of RFM amongst the compact tractor enthusiasts here?

:^D

JohnS · Mar 4, 2004

You will find lots of good info in the Implements forum.

Soundguy · Mar 5, 2004

Gosh.. now that is a sweet deal!

makes me want to beg the wife for a dedicated 'lawnmower'...
and sell the old murray..

Soundguy

greg_g · Mar 5, 2004

WARNING WARNING - Rural King must have just figgered out the same thing. That "sweet deal" has just been modified to specify "belly mower sold separately $999"

//greg//

jordanh · Mar 5, 2004

LOL! That's because I called the Waterloo Store and they claimed the mower was not included so I referred them to the website which clearly leads you to believe the mower IS included.

I see they saw fit to fix that bit of misleading advertising.....still a good deal on the tractor though.

dorks.

:^D