Mid-Mount Mower justify a mid PTO, what can it be used for besides MMM?

[woodchuckcanuck]

Besides a mid mount mower and a front mounted snow blower, what else can it be used for?

 

[greg_g]

First thing that comes to mind is a front mounted snowblower. Less common, I've seen the occasional front mounted mower. Seem to recall it was a rotary cutter, but that doesn't rule out finish mower. Special purpose stuff no doubt, but they're out there if you look hard enough.

//greg//

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

I'm just trying to justify a dealer saying that if I wanted to add a front mount snow blower on a Massey 1635, i would cost about $4,000 extra.

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

And that doesn't include the price of the blower.

 

[greg_g]

Well, my knowledge of mid-PTOs is limited. But that sounds like he's either inflated the cost, or that the 1635 is not readily adaptable to mid-PTO configuration. In your position, I might shop for a tractor that already has a mid-PTO as standard equipment. Or for a tractor that will accept a (more reasonably priced) mid-PTO conversion kit. Kubota Mid PTO Kit WG L part # 32430-98650 - eBay (item 360180265845 end time Sep-14-09 10:49:36 PDT) will give you an idea of what I mean. If there's such a thing as a 1635 conversion kit for say $300, that means the dealer would be raking in a whoppin' $3700 to install it for you.

//greg//

 

[Ductape]

I'm with greg, that sounds like an awful lot of money for a mid PTO option. Probably the three most common mid attachments are snowblower, belly mower, and sweeper......... but no doubt there are plenty other things that could be done with a mid PTO. I know when my FIL was shopping tractors, anything where a mid PTO was an option the price was in the hundreds for the option (but probably not including labor if it were dealer installed?) . Do you need a mid PTO? WHat will you be doing with the tractor?

 

[ampsucker]

couple of other thoughts.

mid pto usually brings a different gear ratio to the table. generally twice the rear pto so it might be 1000 rpm instead of 540.

some guys run their second hydraulic pump off the mid or it could be good for other higher rpm applications like a water pump or you could bolt a generator under there with the correct ratioed sheaves.

i'm thinking it's also the best place to power a side mounted sickle bar.

i agree with other posters it's better to find a tractor with it already on than try to retrofit it. i'm sure the high cost is mostly cast tranny parts and the labor to basically disassemble the tractor and mostly replace the rear half with all the new cast case parts and gears.



amp

 

[Builder]

I'd like to have one for a front mount sweeper to clean up jobsite pavement, but the cost of the sweeper and removing the FEL to mount it seem prohibitive.

Probably easier to just buy another tractor with a dedicated mid-PTO and front implement, like blower or sweeper already mounted!

As far as mowers go, I'd love to have a sickle mower and the side mount units are really cool, but not easily removed/installed. Same with the MMM. My Challenger will take an 84" MMM, but they really reduce the GC on the tractor for dirt work.

 

[willfick]

Well, you might want to run a thresher.
Wm

 

[Charlesaf3]

I can see the benefit for a snowblower, but haven't found the MMM to be a big step up over rear - the reverse in fact.