help me pick a Finish mower.

[jmt1271]

Sold my garden tractor and needing something to mow with. here is my situation:
Currently mowing about 2 acres, will be mowing 6-7 probably next season.
Dont have many tight spaces in current yard, no gates etc...
Will be mowing with JD 3520 R4's.
Need iMatch compatibility, long term durability and good value.
Suggestions on which mower and any good online sources.

I sold the GT because I wanted to maintain one tractor instead of two, and prefer riding the Green one.

 

[RedDog]

Mower for you. $1,500

RedDog

 

[Neophyte]

I have a LandPride FDR2572, same as RedDog's, and I'm verry happy with it. It's compatible with my iMatch but you have to purchase the LandPride Floating Top Link Kit for about $30. Woods also makes a nice Quick Hitch Kit for their mowers but it costs around $130. I think the Woods kit would fit other mowers besides Woods, such as LandPride.

I would recommend the anti-scalping roller option for the 72" deck.

 

[jmt1271]

I found a used Frontier 1060E(as in economy) for $750 before modifying it to work with my iMatch. That will add $100 or so. It seems to be in real good shape, opinions?

 

[Neophyte]

That seems like a good price. I think the GM1060E's go for around $1500 or more brand new. You can buy other brand new economy models, like First Choice or King Kutter, for around $1200. You are saving at least $450 not including any taxes or shipping that you would incur with new.

For reference, I paid $1200 for my used heavy duty landpride, which goes for around $2300 brand new.

In case you don't have it, here are the specs on that mower. The part number for the iMatch kit is BP006-800. Have you priced out this kit yet? If so, what does it cost? Keep in mind that you could also use the Landpride Kit for less money but hookup isn't quite as easy as with these other kits from Woods and Frontier.
GM10xxE Series Specs

I would say go for it and then post pictures of your iMatch kit once you have it setup.

 

[jmt1271]

Neophyte, the salesman told me it'd be "about" $100 to get it ready for iMatch. Apparently there is some bracketry that has to be changed over. I am going to be talking to him again tomorrow about it. I am kind of dreading changing over to mowing with the RFM instead of a rider, but ultimately it is a necessity.

 

[jmt1271]

Now they are telling me that the kit may not be available for the iMatch. Still looking.

 

[Neophyte]

Did you give them that part number? My dealer told me my landpride could not be made iMatch compatible. Someone else from this website told me about the landpride kit. I ordered it for $28 and it was compatible. Dealers don't always know best. You can most likely make it iMatch compatible with any of the other kits out there.

Mowing with an RFM isn't quite as nice as an MMM but you get used to it. There are advantages to it over an MMM as well. You are simply dragging a mower behind you instead of underneath you. Just be careful when turning near objects!

 

[jmt1271]

Did you give them that part number? My dealer told me my landpride could not be made iMatch compatible. Someone else from this website told me about the landpride kit. I ordered it for $28 and it was compatible. Dealers don't always know best. You can most likely make it iMatch compatible with any of the other kits out there.

Mowing with an RFM isn't quite as nice as an MMM but you get used to it. There are advantages to it over an MMM as well. You are simply dragging a mower behind you instead of underneath you. Just be careful when turning near objects!

Neo-

I gave him the part number from the link you listed(thanks) and he is saying that he is having trouble finding that part listed in his system, thinks maybe it is no longer available. He is a good guy and I think he will find it if available. I hope he does, because I dont really want a mower that isnt compatible with my iMatch. I have found a woods 60" used, I am trying to find out if it is compatible, anybody know?

 

[jmt1271]

The Woods is a model RM550, is it iMatch compatible? What is required to make it work if it is? thanks.