3- point finish mower.

   / 3- point finish mower. #1  

buckshot721

Silver Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
116
Location
Auburn Mi
Tractor
All John Deere 425 x485 2305 4x2 Gator L130
O.k. spring is almost here so mowing grass won't be far behind. I bought a JD 2305 last year with a MMM. Of course taking off a deck and putting it back on, I spend some time on my knees. And after having both knees replaced last year kneeling is a big no no, according to the Doc. So I'm thinking a 3 point mower, problem is I never used or owned one before. Do they cut as good as a MMM, it would be easier for me to hook up. I have looked at only Harbor Freight so far, so I'm open to suggestions!
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #2  
I use a 3 point Woods RM59 (5 ft) finish mower and am very pleased with the way it cuts. Once you get the height adjusted it's a piece of cake. :thumbsup:
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #3  
A friend of mine has a JD 4100 with a FEL. He got rid of hid MMM because he did not want to get on the ground to take it off when he was landscaping with rototiller or FEL. He bought a rear Finishing mower and he says it cut just as good as the MMM. Sorry but I am not sure of the make though.:D
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #4  
I have a Woods PRD7200 (72" cut). As far as quality of the cut goes I would match the quality of the Woods cut against any MMM.
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #5  
One advantage of a 3pt finish mower is the ability to back up to the edge of an object like trees. Less trimmer time and no branches slapping you in the face. Get one with wheels on all four corners and they do a very nice job. :thumbsup:
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #6  
With bad knees (and I really hope this is NOT a permanent condition for you!!), I suggest one of two things:
1) Get someone to rig that Mid-Mount Mower at the beginning of the season, even if it means getting the dealer's tech out. It'll cost you some (if a dealer tech), but less then a RFM. But if the prohibition against kneeling is temporary, it might be a one time thing.
2) If you can never kneel again, you may as well plan on a quick hitch (Pat's Easy Change is the better choice, IMHO, since you may have to modify the RFM for it to work with a quick hitch). A quick hitch (or PEC) will reduce any squatting (except for hooking up the PTO drive shaft). To me, squatting is tougher on my knees then kneeling, but I'm not your doctor.

I hope you can go with option 1...

As far as brands, I've had two Befco RFMs and I recommend them. All the other posters gave you the advantages of an RFM.
 
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   / 3- point finish mower. #7  
I have a Woods RD7200 and with a hydrostat. I can back in and trim closer than with a MMM. I had this mower when I bought my new tractor, but even if I didn't I would have chosen a rear mower. Belly mowers are to hard to take on and off and really take a beating, if you leave them on using your tractor for anything but mowing. eddy622611
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #8  
3 pt Finish mowers do work very well it just takes some getting used to. Turning is a little different because the mower is behind you. Woods is a good brand so is land Pride. Some cheaper models only have wheels on the back and the front hangs off the 3pt arms. I have one of these and it mows great on flat ground but not on sloping terrain. Most have 2 wheels on the front and 2 on the back. These basically just use the 3pt to pull and pick up the mower for transport. They mow great!
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #9  
I have a Woods RD7200 and with a hydrostat. I can back in and trim closer than with a MMM. I had this mower when I bought my new tractor, but even if I didn't I would have chosen a rear mower. Belly mowers are to hard to take on and off and really take a beating, if you leave them on using your tractor for anything but mowing. eddy622611

One of the main reasons I went with a RFM is because the MMM was getting scrunched while I was doing loader work. I am not talented enough to watch the loader and MMM at the same time. I do my trim with a riding tractor. One thing to remember about a 72" deck size is scalping. Even with an anti-scalp on mine it will scalp steep places like the ditch along the road in front of my yard.
 
   / 3- point finish mower. #10  
I use a First Choice 3 point mower.
Mows a very nice cut.
 
 
 
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