Mid-Mount Mower Rear finish mower vs MMM?

   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #1  

T185

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
49
Tractor
JD 2520 & JD 3039R
Looking forward to spring:)

I recently purchased a JD2520 with a FEL only with the intent on buying a mower at a later date...well that "later date" has arrived:eek:

I am having a hard time justifying spending $2500 on a MMM from JD since I only mow a little over acre and I have no experience with how a rear finish mower cuts.

Last June I purchased a 2305 which took me all of 20 minutes to mow my yard, unfortunately my tractor usage is 80% FEL, 20% mowing so I upgraded to the 2520 but now I am not sure on which mower to buy. My JD salesman suggested a used dedicated lawn mower but I am not really interested in having another piece of equipment to maintain, repair etc.

Will a rear mount mower give me the same qualily cut as a MMM?

I am looking a this brand NEW UNUSED CHASE 6' FINISH MOWER FOR TRACTORS 3 POINT - eBay (item 370023075373 end time Feb-20-08 17:54:20 PST) since I would be able to pick up the mower. Junk or not?
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #2  
I personally do not like a MMM unless the tractor is used only for finish mowing. Perhaps your JD salesman and I have the same opinion....go get a zero turn machine.

A 3 point finish mower has some advantages over the MMM. Such as easer mantanence, instalatation, cost less, and rear discharge. I believe you get the same quality cut with both setups. A rear mounted mower is real easy to "slap" a tree, fence or building while turning...a real disavantage.

just my 2 cents worth.
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #3  
A rear mount finish mower is probably only useful on a large lawn without many obstacles to maneuver around.

One in-between type you may want to consider is a flail mower. Think you can get one of these for less than $2500. They don't stick out so far and would be easier to maneuver around things. Just make sure you get one with the blades for fine mowing. They can be used for both fine and rough cut mowing but require different blades.

Ralph
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #5  
The drive over mowers for the 2320/2520 are very, very easy to take on and off and store up out of the way with mower axles FWIW

brian
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #6  
I'm in a similar situation trying to decide which mower to purchase for my Kubota.

+ for rear mower

Cheaper
Does good job
Can keep it when you upgrade your tractor since it'll fit your future tractor


+ for belly mower

Easier to maneuver when mowing
Does a good job
Can be used with a rear collection unit (which is actually very important to me since i HATE raking leaves !!!)
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #7  
In my never so humble opinion, this is a question without an answer and boils down to personal preference. There will not be a clear winner. The ZTR is of course outstanding, but with an outstanding price. I use a bush hog 72" rear finish on 3.5 acres, because a friend gave it to me for something he owed. Works good, but like they said you better watch the rear kick when you turn or you will mow down stuff. If the belly mower is easy on and easy off that is cheaper than a discount model riding mower and WAY below a quality ZTR. My personal opinion is if I were rich (not) a ZTR, if I had to buy it on my budget, a belly mower if it was easy on/off, otherwise a rear finish mower.

I am sure that does not help, but again it is your personal preference that counts.
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #8  
I would agree that it is a personal preference. I use a Rhino 60" finish mower and really like it. It does a nice job and is easy to put on and take off. I don't want a dedicated lawn mower, I have enough things to maintain without adding something else with an engine.
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #9  
Personal preference? Absolutely. And for me, personally, no way I'd have a mid-mount mower except on a dedicated mowing machine. I used to have a Bush Hog 60" rear discharge, 3-point mower that I used behind my B2710 Kubota and I had the house, a brick parking area, a concrete slab parking area, my grapevines, garden, blackberry patch, barn, shop, 4 electric poles (one with a guy wire), and a bunch of trees to mow around. And I was very happy with that. Cost a great deal less than a mid-mount mower, can be used on different tractors, not just one specific make and model, quick and easy to hook up and unhook, can be lifted higher with the 3-point to clean the bottom or get to the blades to remove and sharpen them (blocked up, of course), easier to get to the grease fittings, can be backed under shrubs. That's about all the advantages I can think of.

As for the advantages of the mid-mount mower? You just look down instead of back to see how close you are to obstacles, and you can use a grass catcher if you wish. There may be others, but I can't think of any.
 
   / Rear finish mower vs MMM? #10  
I forgot to add my personal preference is way toward the rear discharge finish mower I have. As often as I change attachments the belly mower would drive me nuts. (3 times yesterday while helping a neighbor turn a rock covered camper parking pad into a garden spot)
 
 
 
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