Buying Advice MMM size

[Hotrocks]

Hello,

My first post on TBN. Please forgive any ingnorance I may portray as I am somewhat new to tractor ownership.

I bought a used BX2200 a couple years ago with a 60"MMM and a 42"brushhog, 275 hours, for $7,200.00. I now want to sell it and buy a B2920 HST with FEL, 5ft brushhog, and MMM. The wife and I just bought a home and 66 acres. About 15 acres of fields and rest is wooded.

With the new B2920, I'll have about 10 acres of field to brushhog and 2 or 3 acres to finish mow, and the property is pretty hilly so I want the 4x4 tractor and not a typical riding mower. I have 2 main questions:

1. I need your opinion on whether to get 60" or 54" MMM. My current 60" seems a little wide at times and was wondering if the shorter MMM would get into the dips in the lawn better?
2. Dealer quoted me $16,540.00 for B2920HST FEL and an additional $2,500.00 for 60"MMM. Is that a reasonable quote?

I apologize for the long post. I have learned a lot over the past couple weeks just reading the posts on this forum. One more thing, the B2920 as described above is at the top of my budget, so a bigger tractor is out of the question.

 

[crbr]

Hello,

My first post on TBN. Please forgive any ingnorance I may portray as I am somewhat new to tractor ownership.

I bought a used BX2200 a couple years ago with a 60"MMM and a 42"brushhog, 275 hours, for $7,200.00. I now want to sell it and buy a B2920 HST with FEL, 5ft brushhog, and MMM. The wife and I just bought a home and 66 acres. About 15 acres of fields and rest is wooded.

With the new B2920, I'll have about 10 acres of field to brushhog and 2 or 3 acres to finish mow, and the property is pretty hilly so I want the 4x4 tractor and not a typical riding mower. I have 2 main questions:

1. I need your opinion on whether to get 60" or 54" MMM. My current 60" seems a little wide at times and was wondering if the shorter MMM would get into the dips in the lawn better?
2. Dealer quoted me $16,540.00 for B2920HST FEL and an additional $2,500.00 for 60"MMM. Is that a reasonable quote?

I apologize for the long post. I have learned a lot over the past couple weeks just reading the posts on this forum. One more thing, the B2920 as described above is at the top of my budget, so a bigger tractor is out of the question.

My $0.02 is 1) the 60" is as good as a 54" on that terrain. I don't think you'll see any finese finish with the 54 over the 60. I suppose I may be partial in that I have a 60 on a B7800 and it works very well for my similar needs.
2) A little high but value is what someone is willing to pay. I'd be happier at $15.5K - $16K. I think I paid ~$1,800 for a 60" MM in 2006. I'd say reasonable but it looks to me for a little room in improvement for a deal.

I paid $18K out the door for a 2006 B7800 (30 HP), a MMM, and a FEL. One thing about these machines, they do not get cheaper by waiting.


.

 

[Dirtball]

When deck is as wide as rear tires you bang up deck less and don't have to look over shoulder.

 

[KU Gator]

I like the 60" better because that allows an extra 3" on each side to get up under overhanging brush better. The distance across the rear wheels is about 49", so the 60" is extending about 5.5" beyond the wheels for trimming along edges.

The 5' brush hog is a stretch for the B2920. I use a 5' Bush Hog brand Squeeler. The 2920 handles it ok if I don't get too behind on the mowing, but it is a lot of weight back there and can bog the tractor down it I have gotten too behind in the mowing. If you can find a 54", it may be a better match.

I know you said the B2920 is the max for your budget. I like mine, but if I lived full time at our 12 acre property instead of having to trailer it, I would probably opt for something like one of the small L's and skip the MMM.

 

[Hotrocks]

Thank you! I was wondering if the 5 ft brushhog was to big or not...the dealer said 5 ft would be fine. But I may look for a little smaller one. And, good points regarding the 60" mower...I hadn't thought about it that way.

 

[bp fick]

I agree the price is just OK. One way to save money would be to consider the B2620. Identical tractor with just a few less ponies. Unless you honestly feel you need those additional PTO horsepower. The light weight of the 20 series makes horsepower to traction touchy. You'd never likely miss the extra power, as owners here will tell you. The exception is the PTO power of the 29 horse model. If you need it, you need it.

You might want to get a quote, through email, from Barlow's Equipment. This quote will tell you whether your dealer is in the ballpark on the price. Congratulations on your adventure!!!!

 

[Hotrocks]

Thank you for the opinions, advice, and tractor experiences. I appreciate it and will take everything posted into consideration.

 

[TripleR]

I have had 54" and 60" decks; much prefer 60".

 

[KU Gator]

If you decided to consider the 2620, it would probably be best matched to a 48" brush hog. That extra 3 HP difference would equate to about a 6" reduction in recommended rotary mower size. It shouldn't make much difference with the finish mower, assuming you are keeping the grass you mow with it reasonably managed for height.

If you have a limited number of obstacles to mow around or avoid, it is worth thinking about a RFM vs the MMM. It is cheaper and certainly easier to remove or install. The MMM is easier though to get around and close to things. If you removed and installed yours on the BX, it is the same process although you do have more room to get under the tractor and hook up the PTO. The drive over deck is a little easier too, but still requires at least a little tugging to get it lined up.

 

[Hotrocks]

Thank you. That MM PTO does give me fits somedays. I was hoping the B would give me a little extra clearance to hook and unhook. And per the suggestion, if I got the B2620, I would get the 48" brush hog.