Specific Newbie Finish Mower Questions

[montyhp]

Took delivery of my 3316 today. Gave a couple of test passes with the finish mower just to get the feel of it. Hope the neighbors werent' watching.

Love the tractor, but I have a couple of questions:

1. When I started mowing I just pushed the hitch lift to the bottom and took off. The wheels made ruts in the ground (we have very soft sand). So I adjusted the hitch lift slightly higher so the wheels just skimmed the ground and it worked OK. Should I try to adjust the 3 point hitch or just run with it slightly raised?

2. That loader is really cool, but really in the way. I assume folks take the loader off to mow? The tractor is pretty heavy and the mower not that heavy, can I just mow without front weight? (kind of comical, almost pulled a fence post out of the ground going around a corner when I accidently hooked it with the loader).:confused2:

Montyhp

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Once you get used to putting the loader on and off, it doesn't take any more than 5 minutes on 5 minutes off.

 

[Nissan197]

The loader is nice, but I also hit a few fence posts when I first started using my tractor. I have never taken the fel off and have gotten used to it with more experience. As for the mower digging into the ground, I just raise my 3 pt to where it won't dig into the ground. However, I only have a rotary cutter and not a finish mower so things might be different.

 

[montyhp]

Thanks to both of you. I hope to get the hang of it this weekend.

Montyhp

 

[duckhunt]

Congrats on the new tractor.

You will get use to the FEL after a few accidents. I've hung everthing from trailer fenders to trees to even the side of my barn. Lawallstractor is right though, once you get use to taking it off, its not that hard to do, just everytime I've taken mine off, I've needed it that same day

On the mower, it just takes practice to get the feel of what you like. Everybody does things a bit different when mowing. The weight of the mower shouldnt effect the tractor without the loader.

Have fun.

 

[montyhp]

Congrats on the new tractor.

You will get use to the FEL after a few accidents. I've hung everthing from trailer fenders to trees to even the side of my barn. Lawallstractor is right though, once you get use to taking it off, its not that hard to do, just everytime I've taken mine off, I've needed it that same day

On the mower, it just takes practice to get the feel of what you like. Everybody does things a bit different when mowing. The weight of the mower shouldnt effect the tractor without the loader.

Have fun.

Thanks! Tomorrow is big mow day (after I get my bucket back from the welding shop). Tonight was tree trimming night. Didn't realize I would run into every tree in the yard because of the increased height. Trees really needed it, though.

Montyhp

 

[jpm1]

I have a 2810 HST and loader with a finish mower on the back. Since I mounted the laoder its been off once. I leave it on all the time. I put a quicktach on and just take off the bucket. The ground we mow is kinda soft and without the bucket we leave no foot prints. I leave the loader on full time because of 2 reasons. 1- its used everyday and 2- it offers some protection to the front of the tractor. Know your surroundings and figure a few feet extra, you'll be fine. Congrats on your new rig and enjoy yourself.