Mowing Will this Mower work with IMatch?

[Propjob]

I am looking to purchase a used International M400 mower, 48" to use on my 2305. I have the Imatch. The top of this mower has a pivoting bracket. I have attached a picture. I am not sure if this will be usable on my hitch. The guy wants $500. plus I would have to buy a prop shaft. Any thoughts on this?? JIM

 

[hanson1999]

looks doubtful your hitch will work without some modifying to the top. Maybe just use a chain for the top and it would work, looks like it COULD be the right width on the bottom.

Seems kinda pricey have you looked at a new king kutter or anything like that??

Then you have all new including the pto shaft and probably hook right up...

 

[beenthere]

It'll work after some re-work and fitting. Just won't likely hook up directly.

The price is too high for that well-used (or abused) deck, IMO. And it looks too heavy to hang on your tractor, but that may be just "looks".

If you do get it, replace the angle steel straps that drop to the mid rear of the deck with chains, so the rear of the deck can float better. And fix the pivoting top bracket so it doesn't move (pivot) and fits the iMatch as needed. Doesn't look from the pic that there would be much work to re-fabbing to fit the iMatch.

 

[jenkinsph]

It will need some reworking to fit the IMatch. I would look into a Frontier RC2048 which is IMatch compatible. You will need some front end weight to counter balance any of these cutters.

 

[Propjob]

As I only need to use this a couple times a year, to mow a 2 acre field, Am I better off to invest in one of the 48" mowers from Tractor Supply?
What should I look for besides bottom width to assure that what I purchase wiil work @ top link area . I have had my share of rigging in the past and found that it generally costs more in the long run. JIM

 

[kennyd]

As I only need to use this a couple times a year, to mow a 2 acre field, Am I better off to invest in one of the 48" mowers from Tractor Supply?
What should I look for besides bottom width to assure that what I purchase wiil work @ top link area . I have had my share of rigging in the past and found that it generally costs more in the long run. JIM

Yes, I would keep looking. Another deal breaker is that it does not have a driveshaft-that will cost you another $150 easy.

 

[dusty3030]

If you are shopping for a little bit rough used I'd try to find a brand / model a little newer, set up for a qa, and still in production so you can get blades and parts easy. You should be able to find that for the same or close to it for what they want for that one.

 

[RoyJackson]

Boy, that thing is rough looking!!
However, it appears to be all surface rust and the decking appears solid.

I agree with some others...keep looking. But if you're really interested in that one, offer no more then $250 and insist on it being hooked up to see if it even turns. Pull the gearbox filler plug and see what the oil (probably 80w or 90w gear oil) looks like.
It appears to have been left outside since the day it was bought.

It looks like the top link point is a floating type, but there's a part of the frame work bolted to it and there's a plate welded on the front of it. Do you know if that "U" shaped bracket pivots?

 

[jenkinsph]

Boy, that thing is rough looking!!
However, it appears to be all surface rust and the decking appears solid.

I agree with some others...keep looking. But if you're really interested in that one, offer no more then $250 and insist on it being hooked up to see if it even turns. Pull the gearbox filler plug and see what the oil (probably 80w or 90w gear oil) looks like.
It appears to have been left outside since the day it was bought.

It looks like the top link point is a floating type, but there's a part of the frame work bolted to it and there's a plate welded on the front of it. Do you know if that "U" shaped bracket pivots?

Roy, looks like it pivots to me.


FWIW, twice a year I would remove the IMatch and hookup a mower and call it good. I agree that it simply looks weathered but I see a new cheap mower at TSC is listed for $850. I would do a print out and take this with you and try to buy this one for $250 if it checks out.

 

[Propjob]

Roy, it does Pivot. I just found a brand new King Kutter from a dealer that doesn't sell them anymore. $750.00 with shaft!!!