? about GC quote

Paystar · Aug 15, 2009

Hello All. I just got back from a trip and managed to check in with some dealers along the way. I kinda changed my mind, started out wanting a tlb, but now think the bh is an expensive piece that will be sitting 90% of the time. But I do need a tiller, so by deleting the bh it will pay for the mm mower and tiller.
Anyway I spec'd a 60" mm mower for the GC2600L, but it doesn't have mulching capability (which I want). But what I question is the one dealer did not recommend the 60". Said the 2600 does not handle it well? Told me better to go with the 54". Is the 60" really too much for a 2600? Just curious, as I think the 54" would be better for me anyways for getting between my trees.
Also one dealer carries Woods tillers, the other Buhler Farm King. I'm sure they're both very good, any comments? I like the way the side shift works on the Buhler, and I like the reverse rotation of the Woods.

irvingj · Aug 16, 2009

Hey, Paystar- long time no "see." I got a used 60" mower deck and I love it! My 2310 has no trouble operating it (usually go around 2K rpm), and I was very pleasantly surprised to find the little beast, with the mower running, had NO trouble climbing up some rather steep slopes where my septic field drops off. (I do use 4WD just so the wheels won't slip.)

The cut is fantastic, and the pieces of grass are fine enough that it should mulch OK as well. I took off the discharge "flapper" for clearance both with mowing and with parking, so the cut grass tends to nicely spread itself out rather than remain in clumpy ridges. The mower deck has saved me MORE time than the blower (vs. a walk-behind); I'd have to consider it to be one of the best purchases I've made lately. It used to take me 3 to 6 hours to do my lawn with my push mower, depending on how fussy I was.... Now, it takes about 20 minutes of push-mower trim work and a bit less than ONE hour with the tractor!

You're right about the expensive piece the BH is-- BUT, if you ever need it, it's worth its weight in gold. I got a thumb for mine, and have been surprised at just how much it can pick up. Rocks, logs, small cars... no problem.

Remember, too that the M-F GC series' have extensive rear frame modifications to allow use of the BH; if you don't get your tractor with a BH it becomes a lot more difficult to add one later and still have the same frame strength, IMO. I debated long & hard about that, too-- but decided to go with the BH. Not sorry I did! Another point to "rationalize" the expense a bit-- at least the BH is very easy to remove, and can just sit on its own feet out of the way somewhere.

WilliamBos · Aug 16, 2009

Hey Shaun,

Here is a pic of our forward rotation tiller in our clay soils.

We are converting it to reverse rotation, and it saves the stiff neck from backing up. Reverse rotation in our clay turns it into a nice powder.

Paystar · Aug 16, 2009

Thanks guys. Irvingj....I didn't realize there was any difference in the tractor. I thought the only diff. was that the 2610 came with the bh as part of the pricing package. I noticed in the brochure the 2600 has a one piece ROPS while the 2610 is folding, but the quotes I got were for a 2600L and I see it has a folding ROPS? I'll have to find out all the differences.
I know the bh would be nice, but I'm just trying to save a buck, and I have a full size Backhoe available anyway. The only thing I really have to dig are stumps from maple trees that are over 20" diameter anyway, so probably better for the big machine.

Got your email Will. Thanks for the info. Yes it is the GC I want, I just inquired about the 1523 when I saw it up the crate with the sale price. I want to stay small so I can eliminate using my lawn and garden tractors for mowing. That way I just have to maintain one machine on a regular basis.

I'm sure the 2600 will handle a 60" mower, everyone I see that has a JD2305 is running one with no problem. But like I say, I want to mulch anyway and there is no mulch kit for the 60".

Talk to you later.

irvingj · Aug 17, 2009

Paystar-- in the old series, the 2300 --no BH-- had a one-piece ROPS; the 2310 --with BH-- came with a folding ROPS. I'm quite sure the model numbers are still the same- the XX00 has no BH and a one-piece ROPS, the XX10 has the BH with folding ROPS.

I'd forgotten-- that's another reason I went with the BH- in order tp park the tractor under my shed roof, I needed the folding ROPS; the one-piece was too tall. You might want to compare the height of the two variations with where you plan to park it. On mine, with turf tires, the highest point with the ROPS folded (the orange lights) is 65" from the floor.

LBrown59 · Aug 17, 2009

Paystar said:
Hello All. I just got back from a trip and managed to check in with some dealers along the way. I kinda changed my mind, started out wanting a tlb, but now think the bh is an expensive piece that will be sitting 90% of the time. But I do need a tiller, so by deleting the bh it will pay for the mm mower and tiller.
Anyway I spec'd a 60" mm mower for the GC2600L, but it doesn't have mulching capability (which I want). But what I question is the one dealer did not recommend the 60". Said the 2600 does not handle it well? Told me better to go with the 54". Is the 60" really too much for a 2600? Just curious, as I think the 54" would be better for me anyways for getting between my trees.
Also one dealer carries Woods tillers, the other Buhler Farm King. I'm sure they're both very good, any comments? I like the way the side shift works on the Buhler, and I like the reverse rotation of the Woods.

irvingj said:
Hey, Paystar- long time no "see." I got a used 60" mower deck and I love it! My 2310 has no trouble operating it (usually go around 2K rpm), and I was very pleasantly surprised to find the little beast, with the mower running, had NO trouble climbing up some rather steep slopes where my septic field drops off. (I do use 4WD just so the wheels won't slip.)

The cut is fantastic, and the pieces of grass are fine enough that it should mulch OK as well. I took off the discharge "flapper" for clearance both with mowing and with parking, so the cut grass tends to nicely spread itself out rather than remain in clumpy ridges. The mower deck has saved me MORE time than the blower (vs. a walk-behind); I'd have to consider it to be one of the best purchases I've made lately. It used to take me 3 to 6 hours to do my lawn with my push mower, depending on how fussy I was.... Now, it takes about 20 minutes of push-mower trim work and a bit less than ONE hour with the tractor!

You're right about the expensive piece the BH is-- BUT, if you ever need it, it's worth its weight in gold. I got a thumb for mine, and have been surprised at just how much it can pick up. Rocks, logs, small cars... no problem.

Remember, too that the M-F GC series' have extensive rear frame modifications to allow use of the BH; if you don't get your tractor with a BH it becomes a lot more difficult to add one later and still have the same frame strength, IMO. I debated long & hard about that, too-- but decided to go with the BH. Not sorry I did! Another point to "rationalize" the expense a bit-- at least the BH is very easy to remove, and can just sit on its own feet out of the way somewhere.

I'd hate to think about giving up the BH and the 60'' mmm on my BX23.

Paystar · Aug 17, 2009

irvingj said:
Paystar-- in the old series, the 2300 --no BH-- had a one-piece ROPS; the 2310 --with BH-- came with a folding ROPS. I'm quite sure the model numbers are still the same- the XX00 has no BH and a one-piece ROPS, the XX10 has the BH with folding ROPS.

I'd forgotten-- that's another reason I went with the BH- in order tp park the tractor under my shed roof, I needed the folding ROPS; the one-piece was too tall. You might want to compare the height of the two variations with where you plan to park it. On mine, with turf tires, the highest point with the ROPS folded (the orange lights) is 65" from the floor.

You are right but what I was trying to say was the 2600's I got re-quoted for without the backhoe still have the folding ROPS unlike the GC2600 that has the one piece. That is why you have me wondering if there are frame differences. I know the one quote says adding a 3 pt bh will void the warranty.

Yes the bh is handy LBrown but I do have a 426 Cat to use, although it's not as turf friendly. Remember, I'm in trucking, I'm poor