Rear finish mower

[ice4me]

Looking for help as thinking about going with a rear finish mower over mmm.

A big question is do you constantly watch behind you when mowing? I am a big guy so sitting crooked on the seat is not fun to watch behind mowing my 6 acres.

I really like the easy attachment of the rear mower but growing up and to this point I have always used mmm so a little fear of the unknown I guess.

Thanks

 

[jeff9366]

If you have obstacles to avoid (trees, garden beds) you have to look to the rear often.

If you do not have obstacles, you can look forward.

Finishing mower is not as maneuverable as a MMM. So you may spend some time with a trimmer.

Consider a Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog for six open acres. If you refrain from cutting shrubs and saplings, therefore keeping a sharp edge on the two blades, a sharp, carefully adjusted Rotary Cutter cuts turf satisfactorily for me. If you are picky about the cut finish, a Finish Mower is superior to a Rotary Cutter.

Here are some FINISH MOWER threads from the T-B-N archive: Google: TBN

 

[lostcreekranch]

What model tractor do you have?

I have an LS XR4046HC and an LS 84" rear finish mower. It replaced a Kubota B2710 with a 72" MMM. Both cut our yard (almost 10 acres) very well. I still use my John Deere Z820 zero turn under trees with low limbs.

 

[ice4me]

I am looking to purchase a Kubota b2601 and am trying to decide which deck I want

 

[teg]

Very rarely turn around to watch the finish mower... maybe I should do it more often: I thought my top-link was secured but it fell into the pto shaft... I use radio ear protection so I did not hear it for a while. :mur:

PS. I bush hog the field first and come back a few weeks later to finish mow... love the look of it so clean.

View attachment 463074 . . . View attachment 463075

 

[jeff9366]

I am looking to purchase a Kubota b2601 and am trying to decide which deck I want

BIG GUY: A Kubota L2501 is much roomier than a 'B' and not too much more money.

 

[ice4me]

A Kubota L2501 is much roomier than a 'B' for not too much more money.

Will have to look at that.. Thank you

 

[The Fred]

If you have obstacles to avoid (trees, garden beds) you have to look to the rear often.

If you do not have obstacles, you can look forward.

Finishing mower is not as maneuverable as a MMM. So you may spend some time with a trimmer.

Consider a Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog for six open acres. If you refrain from cutting shrubs and saplings, therefore keeping a sharp edge on the two blades, a sharp, carefully adjusted, Rotary Cutter will cut turf satisfactorily for me. If you a picky about the cut finish, a Finish Mower is superior to a Rotary Cutter.

Here are some threads from the T-B-N archive: Google: TBN

How could a finish mower not be as maneuverable as a MMM?

Makes little sense. Rear mount is so much better to get under trees and trim closely with that any MMM I ever used.

Fred

 

[JD5210]

You might consider seeing if it makes sense to put a rear view mirror on your tractor. I have seen them connected to loader mounts. If you miss a spot, instead of looking back and backing up, just slow down some and go around in a circle. Get a mower that is the same width or smaller than your tractor, that way at least going straight if the tractor fits through so will the mower.

If you have a lawn tractor also, do the close work first. At least for me this helps me to keep away from things.

 

[prs]

The MMM is more stable on steep banks, if that applies. Make sure the tractor you select has independent PTO if going with rear finish mower. The rear can be backed under low trees and such. I like a front mount type a lot, but Ventrac, Steiner, and Power Trac have big prices.

prs

 

[lostcreekranch]

The mowing zone of my 84" RFM extends 45" behind 3-point links while mowing zone of my 6' Woods rotary cutter is 75" from links. You really can't get much mowing, under low tree branches with a RFM or a RV for that matter. That's why I cut under trees with my zero turn.

I am slowly but, surely pruning low branches from trees.

 

[chim]

The MMM is more stable on steep banks, if that applies. Make sure the tractor you select has independent PTO if going with rear finish mower. The rear can be backed under low trees and such. I like a front mount type a lot, but Ventrac, Steiner, and Power Trac have big prices.

prs

My experience is different with MMM vs RFM. The only MMM I've had was on a linkage that allowed the deck to fully float (up/down/left/right/front/rear) and the weight of the deck wasn't really on the tractor. With the weight not being carried by the tractor, the MMM didn't add low-centered ballast weight.

The RFM's do float but for the most part just up/down/front/rear. The left/right float is very limited because of the lift arms being connected to each other. The RFM tries to keep the deck and tractor on the same plane. While the RFM doesn't add low-centered ballast weight it does have a sort of "training wheels" effect because it torques the lift arms when one side wants to lift. I've never lifted a rear tractor wheel on a sidehill when the RFM was on the ground. With the 6' Landpride connected and on the ground, it's like having a few hundred pounds of ballast on the uphill side when needed.

 

[lostcreekranch]

My experience is different with MMM vs RFM. The only MMM I've had was on a linkage that allowed the deck to fully float (up/down/left/right/front/rear) and the weight of the deck wasn't really on the tractor. With the weight not being carried by the tractor, the MMM didn't add low-centered ballast weight.

The RFM's do float but for the most part just up/down/front/rear. The left/right float is very limited because of the lift arms being connected to each other. The RFM tries to keep the deck and tractor on the same plane. While the RFM doesn't add low-centered ballast weight it does have a sort of "training wheels" effect because it torques the lift arms when one side wants to lift. I've never lifted a rear tractor wheel on a sidehill when the RFM was on the ground. With the 6' Landpride connected and on the ground, it's like having a few hundred pounds of ballast on the uphill side when needed.

My LS 84" RFM floats front back and side to side within the limits of the floating hitches.

 

[wawajake]

I had to make the same decision (MMM or RFM) last year with my Kubota and my 3 acres of cutting with various obstacles too. I am happy I went with the RFM and I purposely went with one wider than my tractor.......because lets be honest we want to get it done faster so less revolutions on the lawn. Most of the cutting you are looking forward keeping your front wheels lined up with the cut line you left on the last revolution. As for the odd obstacle or tree, you can back right up tight to the trunk or the building leaving only a minor amount. .............and you can quickly remove the RFM to add other rear mount implements or leave it on if you need counter weight for quick job with FEL.

 

[DK35vince]

My LS 84" RFM floats front back and side to side within the limits of the floating hitches.

View attachment 463134

Yes, my RFM's also have hitch's for front to rear and lateral float on the mower.
I need to look behind me while mowing against or around things, but no need to look behind while mowing open areas.

 

[farmer2009]

I have an 84"Land Pride on a MX5200 Kubota. Really like it as it greatly speeds up mowing over the 60" Dixie Chopper. I use the tractor for the large open areas then go get the ZTR and now around obstacles and the house where things are too tight for the tractor.

 

[GrumpyJoe]

I have a Woods PDR 7200 behind my Mahindra 1533 HST. Took a little time to get used to it sticking out behind compared to MMM. But it is one **** of alot easier to take on and off. So if you are planning to leave it on? MMM. But if you are like me and use your tractor for other things other than mowing? You cant beat a finish mower. And as far as turning around a lot? the only time I turn around is in tight spots. Which I don't have that many.

 

[Code54]

We have several acres that I mow but have a fair amount of tress, landscaping, etc. I had a RFM but quickly tired of joking it around to get close enough to things. I ended up selling it and bought a MMM for the smaller machine and in my case it is MUCH quicker and does a far better job. If you have basically open fields then a RFM would be great.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I have a Woods PDR 7200 behind my Mahindra 1533 HST. Took a little time to get used to it sticking out behind compared to MMM. But it is one **** of alot easier to take on and off. So if you are planning to leave it on? MMM. But if you are like me and use your tractor for other things other than mowing? You cant beat a finish mower. And as far as turning around a lot? the only time I turn around is in tight spots. Which I don't have that many.

Joe, when I still had my Kubota B2710, with 72" MMM, I could pin the deck in raised position and do other thing with it. Never had an issue with clearance under the deck. Way quicker than removing the deck.

 

[LD1]

Fear or mid, the only way to mow next to things, is with a deck wider than the tractor.

And with either, the only time you are looking at the deck (down or behind) is when mowing next to things