Semi mounted vs 3pt for 8' rotary mower

[Zebrafive]

Looking to buy an 8' rotary cutter. Rough cut, not finish. I know I do not want a pulled type (don't want to deal with backing and the extra length). So what are the advantages/disavantages of semi mounted? Or 3pt mount.

I have plenty of 3pt lift capacity so that is not an issue.

Looking at Bush Hog 3008, John Deere MX8, Rhino TR96 and Woods DS96.

 

[bigbull338]

well if you get an 8ft 3pt shredder your going to put alot of stress on your 3pt an hydro pump.plus a 3pt shredder is a big pain to hook up.

 

[RickB]

You might have plenty of lift capacity, but unless that 2030 has a heavy duty FEL, you don't have enough front ballast to offset a fully mounted BH 3008, or probably the other models either. They offer those models as semi-mount, and you are driving one of the reasons why.

 

[jdtractor]

hi if you dont have any front ballast or FEL you had better stay with the semi mount, for your tractor. i personally like 3pth , i own a 3pth woods BRUSH BULL 840 , its a good rotary mower for what i cut ,heavy brush 1-3inch sometimes 4 inch. its cat.2 heavy duty.i like the 3pth because you can throw it around , and over steep ground the kind we have here where i live. we mow up and down the hills ,and its rough and steep.real steep you have better control with the 3pth.for backwards mowing when needed. i hope this helps you decide.

 

[dapper]

zeb5, I am using a TN65 2wd with loader to pull a BH 3008. It is one heavy unit, 1700lb I believe. I use the mower with out having the bucket on, but it is all I would want to lift with my tractor's 3ph. I am using a quick hitch which sets it back a couple more inches, but as RickB states, lifting it ain't the problem. Can get pretty bouncy if you don't watch it. I have had the hog for about 3 years, and I am not overly impressed with the finished cut. Personal, I think a 7ft single blade did a better job. But that is just me. Good luck.

 

[boggen]

hi if you dont have any front ballast or FEL you had better stay with the semi mount, for your tractor. i personally like 3pth , i own a 3pth woods BRUSH BULL 840 , its a good rotary mower for what i cut ,heavy brush 1-3inch sometimes 4 inch. its cat.2 heavy duty.i like the 3pth because you can throw it around , and over steep ground the kind we have here where i live. we mow up and down the hills ,and its rough and steep.real steep you have better control with the 3pth.for backwards mowing when needed. i hope this helps you decide.

+1

with a FEL (front end loader) and going through woods can also be nice to have. due to being able to drop the general duty bucket down or like. and just keep off the ground a couple inches. so you do not run into any fallen down tree limbs, stumps.

if you have cattle, horses, or other livestock in pasture. having a FEL low down to ground can also possibly save a baby, that a mother put down in weeds to hide it from predators, from being shredded by the blades. not always, but perhaps bucket might give enough pop on there bottom to get them to jump and up and out of the way.

and if you are backing down into spots, the FEL can help you pull yourself back up and out if you get stuck.

getting into bushes and vines with needles and like on them. can be nice just to back up onto them. vs running over them and risking a punctured tire.

if you are doing some heavy dirt work, a 3pt bush hog, can act for counter balance for the FEL and vice vs when mowing.

 

[Zebrafive]

You might have plenty of lift capacity, but unless that 2030 has a heavy duty FEL, you don't have enough front ballast to offset a fully mounted BH 3008, or probably the other models either. They offer those models as semi-mount, and you are driving one of the reasons why.

Not for the 2030. For the 6415 with MFWD It weighs about double the 2030.

 

[TripleR]

We used a Woods 121 10' mower with three point hitch on a Case CX80 for many years and really liked it, but wanted something heavier duty too, so we went with a Woods DS1260 pull type as our tractor would not handle the added weight. I have indicated why we prefer it, so won't go into that.

If I was trying to decide between the semi-mount and three point, I would go with the three point and simply not raise it if I didn't feel comfortable. The ability to raise a mower can be a real advantage at times.

There is another related thread somewhere on here about pull type v three pint, but I can't find it right now; some good points.

 

[jdtractor]

to mr boggen , you made some very good points in your reply and i as well do what you stated when mowing , it does help in all the statements you said and more. i dont know why i forgot to mention those facts , my hats off to you.you sound like you to have several yrs. experience with equipment , i like to think i do also but sometimes we make mistakes. take care

 

[RickB]

Not for the 2030. For the 6415 with MFWD It weighs about double the 2030.

A 6415 has a fighting chance of being safe and controllable with a fully mounted 3008.