Belly mower options

[BTackett]

I am still stuck on this belly mower option for my Yanmar 1700. I figured I might get some more response on the attachments so I put it here. I have searched and searched trying to figure if I want to invest in a belly mower or RFM.

I know that Continental made some belly mowers and you can still get parts for them afrom Ag-Mier in Tx. I cannot find anything else like that type within 10 hr driving distance. Mitsubishi made a 3pt lift belly mower but it ran from a front PTO.

Can you add a front PTO to almost any tractor and then I could find a kubota/deere mid deck that lifts off the rear 3pt and run it that way?

I am looking for anything here guys. I know some of the ole' timers have used or ran this stuff for years and have great knowledge and wanting some input. I really like the 3pt lift type belly mower and see that Jinma makes one but have been told by 3 Jinma dealers that they were junk and they don't even stock them due to quality and was told to find a Continental Belton that worked better.

Just any info I can get would be appreciated. This is the tractor I have and let me know what would work.

Bill

 

[Ductape]

I had a Woods L59 belly mower on my YM186D when i bought it. It was belt driven off the rear PTO and used the three point to raise and lower. It was very adjustable for height and length for different tractors, and would only need a few brackets changed / modified to fit different tractors ( as far as i could see ) I've also seen quite a few of the Continentals, which also look very adjustable. I suppose fitting a late model belly mower designed for a newer tractor with a mid-PTO is really only limited by your budget. I'd say its possible to mount and re-gear one to work with a rear PTO, but you could probably buy a new tractor with the money you'd spend. Personally, i'd think the continental would be the direction to go. Obviously a rear mower would be cheapest and easiest, but the maneuverability and ability to use a collection system with a belly mower sure makes them attractive. Good luck!

 

[Bill_C]

I have a 48 inch MMM from Continental, it came with my tractor (a Ford 1100). The mower is driven from the rear PTO and attaches to the 3 point hitch on the back, then a couple of chains (at the front of the deck) attach it to mounting hooks on the tractor body.

The mower cuts well, but I took it off and I don't use it at all now. The reason: the mower takes so much room vertically, I didn't have any ground clearance left. I mean I had less than 2 inches ground clearance with the mower in place. The mower simpley couldn't go up any higher because the spindle pulleys would hit the bottom of my tractor.

Removing/reattaching the mower was also a PITA for me. In theory, you drop the mower to the ground and simply drive over it to move the tractor away from the mower. But my wheels aren't big enough to roll over the high mower deck, they'd just spin...so i'd have to jack the tractor up and slide the deck out.

With those limitations in mind, the mower is pretty nice, and it was easier to manoeuver than my rear finishing mower that I use now.

If you are really interested in a 48 inch MMM, I would be willing to sell mine. PM me, I live NE of Nashville.