Mowing Mower for BX - MMM or RFM?

jim_wilson · Mar 28, 2005

When I bought my BX23 last year I did not get a mower of any sort for it because initially I figured on doing nothing but excavation work with it. Now I am thinking that I may want to put a mower on it. Of course if I rip up my lawn any more I wont have to worry about mowing at all but I was wondering if I was to put a mower on it is a mid mount deck or a rear finish mower a better option. It looks like the rear mounts are cheaper - even if I go with an expensive brand like Land Pride -than the Kubota mid mount mower is. How does mowing quality compare between a rear mount vs. a mid mount? Is it easier to maneuver with one vs. the other? Since in all likelihood I would not be leaving the mower on the tractor except for mowing how hard is it to swap the MMM deck on and off? I have a quick hitch on the back so swapping a rear mount on and off would be pretty easy. If I was to go with a rear mount what size should I look for? I was looking at the LandPride stuff and they have a 60" air tunnel deck that looked pretty good - is a 60" rear mount too big for a BX?

cmhyland · Mar 28, 2005

Jim,
I think both mowers will do a good job. Mowing with a rear mount mower is harder than a mid. Especially in getting close to trees and beds.

If you go with a rear mount I would go with rear discharge.

The side discharge chute will always be getting hung-up on stuff...

The upside of a rear mount is you can back it under low trees like pines and reduce trimming in those areas...

Regards,
Chris

Volfandt · Mar 28, 2005

I'd say when it comes to swapping mowers on & off the RFM wins hands down. I've also read where some members have reported nice finish cuts with an RFM too, equal to a MMM.

I have a MMM and I can mount/dismount it in about 5-10 minutes. I am very happy with the finish cut of it but only have one full cut on it. I bought it in Dec and have been wearing it out digging and such.

I can only compare using a MMM to using a Bush hog as I've never had a RFM, but to me I like the MMM best. I find that it's more manuverable and easier to make cuts around obstacles. However the RFM can be backed in under low hanging obstacles & reach where a MMM can't.

Good luck in whichever solution you pick
Volfandy

bird1968 · Mar 28, 2005

Hi Jim,

I'm running Kubota RCR48CA Rear mount Finish Mower on the BX. I would strongly recommend this unit to anyone. Minimum time to install & beautiful cuts everytime. As far as wider one than a 48", the unit may be to wide for the HP & harder moving around. The rear discharge would be a great suggestion (I have the side discharge)

Hope this helps...

Tom_H · Mar 28, 2005

I haven't personally used an RFM so this is going to be based solely on heresay. I have tall fescue grass and if I let it get too tall before cutting, the BX2200 front wheels will lay the thin grass over and then the MMM does not cut that portion as well as the area that isn't touched by the wheels. I then have alternating strips of well cut grass and taller mashed down grass. If I don't wait too long, this isn't a problem. I have heard some people say that the same problem can be worse with an RFM because you have a second set of larger wheels and more weight going over the grass, mashing it down even more before the blades touch it. Again, this would be if you have something like tall fescue. Grasses which grow horizontally by creepers and have springier blades, like Bermuda or centipede grass, would not experience this effect. I've heard some folks say they prefer a ZTR on the taller delicate fescue type grasses because almost all of it gets cut before the wheels touch it.

Other than this, I love my 60" MMM. For me, it attaches and disattaches much more easily than I hear many others describe. Having a smooth concrete floor for rolling the MMM and the tractor helps and coupling the PTO is a breeze once you develop the right touch. (First time took me half hour, day before yesterday it went on in 3 sec.)

botalvr · Mar 29, 2005

I would say MMM with mulcher kit - leaves no clippings, gets around trees better, etc. Also less likely to cause the "new garage trim effect".
I can also get mine off and on easily since I now do it on the concrete driveway, with some lift chains to put it away.

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jpr62902 · Mar 29, 2005

I don't have a RFM either, so my comments are also hearsay. I think the general consensus is, if maneuverability is not an issue, the RFM's are better. If you have lots of stuff to trim around, the MMM wins. I have the 60" MMM with mulch kit on my BX and I don't have the mowing issues others have mentioned, but then again, I have to mow more frequently with the mulch kit (gotta love not getting the wind rows).

jim_wilson · Mar 29, 2005

Thanks for all the advise - I am not even sure if I will buy a mower for the tractor this year. By the time I am done doing all the construction around the yard the whole thing is going to be pretty torn up and there may not be much left to mow. When I finally do
the landscaping I will have the opportunity to design it to be easy to mow so I will keep the lower maneuverability of the RFM in mind.

CTkubota · Mar 29, 2005

If you have a typical home with an acre or less of lawn, go with the MMM. RFM if you have long straight runs on a couple acres of lawn like a farmer or an estate. If you seed your lawn in the fall I don't recommend cutting the young lawn with the tractor until the following spring when the lawn thickens.