Rara Avis
Veteran Member
Axeman said:
An MMM won't do any better than a finish mower if your hit a stump...
Shouldn't a finish mower be able to take a little abuse?
- Thread starter Axeman
- Start date
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An MMM won't do any better than a finish mower if your hit a stump...
Okay, thanks guys. I guess I was so ticked off from this happening so quickly that I didn't stop to think about it. Even with the old Craftsman, I would always try to miss those things. And I was always changing the bent baldes on that thing. I guess I shouldn't have cut those alders so short in the first place so I could spot them easier.
Well, I guess I try to figure out how to load the mower into my truck and haul it back to the dealer to take a look at.
My wife is certainly not very happy with the fact that the Maschio can't cut a close to objects as the Craftsman could. One of the stipulations of getting a new tractor was that it would do a better job cutting than the Craftsman did....so far it doesn't impress her that much. (That and the fact that the tires leave marks and divots all over the place) But she was sure happy when i smoothed out the driveway with the box scraper and moved that big pile of file dirt that had been sitting in the driveway for a year. I guess I'll have to get out there with the push mower this weekend and mow the way I used to years ago even before I got the Craftsman. I need to save my $$ now for that zero turn mower that I've been looking drooling over at HD.
Well, I guess I try to figure out how to load the mower into my truck and haul it back to the dealer to take a look at.
My wife is certainly not very happy with the fact that the Maschio can't cut a close to objects as the Craftsman could. One of the stipulations of getting a new tractor was that it would do a better job cutting than the Craftsman did....so far it doesn't impress her that much. (That and the fact that the tires leave marks and divots all over the place) But she was sure happy when i smoothed out the driveway with the box scraper and moved that big pile of file dirt that had been sitting in the driveway for a year. I guess I'll have to get out there with the push mower this weekend and mow the way I used to years ago even before I got the Craftsman. I need to save my $$ now for that zero turn mower that I've been looking drooling over at HD.
Hopefully that awful noise you heard wasn't from the gearbox!
I would do a little investigation before I took it to the dealer. I'd turn the pto shaft by hand (disconnected) and listen to the gearbox. I'd also look at the spindles. They should be an easy change if one is damaged.
Good luck.
I would do a little investigation before I took it to the dealer. I'd turn the pto shaft by hand (disconnected) and listen to the gearbox. I'd also look at the spindles. They should be an easy change if one is damaged.
Good luck.
RobJ
Elite Member
My RM360 takes plenty of abuse. Probaby to much. That's why I like that big old belt!!
Wombat125
Gold Member
I agree with shvl. A mower driveline is just:shvl73 said:
PTO shaft > gearbox > belts > spindles > blades
Seems like turning the shaft by hand would quickly expose the angry part of the mower.
scuvnut
Silver Member
Get rid of the stumps - that will reduce the abuse to any mower deck you use and solve the problem of investing in a new mower or deck (MMM or Z) or end the frustration. Who wants those things in your yard anyway?
Either:
Rent a stump grinder and rid yourself of the problem - who wants those in your back yard anyway, or,
Waste a chainsaw chain and dig them out a little and slice them down to at or below grade, or
Do a little digging to where you can slide a chain or rope around a main root and rip them out with your tractor, or,
The lazy mans way out.....raise your mower deck so its above the level of the stump!
Either:
Rent a stump grinder and rid yourself of the problem - who wants those in your back yard anyway, or,
Waste a chainsaw chain and dig them out a little and slice them down to at or below grade, or
Do a little digging to where you can slide a chain or rope around a main root and rip them out with your tractor, or,
The lazy mans way out.....raise your mower deck so its above the level of the stump!
PA hayseed
Platinum Member
abused
As far as the finish mowing goes, you will not ever get as close as you could with a MMM. You can cut larger areas faster, can get under trees and similar items with the RFM that you might not of with a MMM. The divots/ruts are from the soft ground, and your tractors weight. When I upgraded my tractor to one that weighed several thousand pounds more, I started leaving ruts in the yard again. Time will smooth those out, if you cross cut and vary your cutting pattern. It may also help to remove your FEL prior to cutting grass (if you can) as it will remove some of the weight. I don't know your tractor, but try to mow in 2wd vs. 4wd if you have that option. 4wd tears up the grass alot more in my opinion, on my tractor, in my yard.
thought I'd add .02, might help explain things to the significant other as well.
As far as the finish mowing goes, you will not ever get as close as you could with a MMM. You can cut larger areas faster, can get under trees and similar items with the RFM that you might not of with a MMM. The divots/ruts are from the soft ground, and your tractors weight. When I upgraded my tractor to one that weighed several thousand pounds more, I started leaving ruts in the yard again. Time will smooth those out, if you cross cut and vary your cutting pattern. It may also help to remove your FEL prior to cutting grass (if you can) as it will remove some of the weight. I don't know your tractor, but try to mow in 2wd vs. 4wd if you have that option. 4wd tears up the grass alot more in my opinion, on my tractor, in my yard.
thought I'd add .02, might help explain things to the significant other as well.
SLOBuds
Gold Member
My 60" Gearmore is very rugged. I selectively run over small branches, maybe up to 2", to break them up and help mother nature out some. Everything else I try to avoid. If I miss seeing something large, and end up hitting it, I hope that the clutch will absorb enough shock to keep the mower in one piece. It's worked so far, and I have knocked into a few large items.
But a finish more probably isn't engineered to take that kind of abuse. Never had anything but a riding mower, and don't really know if they also have shock absorption mechanicals.
Good luck, and sorry to hear about the accident. It really does wreck the day - speaking from plent of experience!
But a finish more probably isn't engineered to take that kind of abuse. Never had anything but a riding mower, and don't really know if they also have shock absorption mechanicals.
Good luck, and sorry to hear about the accident. It really does wreck the day - speaking from plent of experience!
Squeak n Itch
Silver Member
Thanks, RobJ. Every time I think I should replace the old RM306 a comment like that makes me thankful that I have it. In addition to the big old belt the spindle pulleys have a keys that shears if things get really "little abuse" rough!
Rara Avis
Veteran Member
Axeman said:
Well, you could use this as an excuse to get yourself a backhoe for your tractor...
Gee, Honey...I need a backhoe to dig out those nasty stumps...
