Wacky
Veteran Member
Why not step on the deck?
I only step on mine when it is only in the lowered position. Pretty much have too.Mowing My annual question :D
- Thread starter ChuckinNH
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Why not step on the deck?
I only step on mine when it is only in the lowered position. Pretty much have too.KU Gator
Platinum Member
I have a B2920 with a MMM. I don't always use it to mow the 3 acres we live on though because I also have a JD garden tractor with 54" deck. A couple of weeks ago, the tie rod broke on the JD half way through mowing. So I towed it to the house and put the deck on the Kubota and finished with it. I had forgotten how much smoother and better ride it was compared to the little JD for mowing.
The drive over deck keeps you from having to pull it under the tractor. But you still have to lay on the ground and reach up under the tractor to hook up the PTO. That is the toughest part. Also you have to re-adjust the the anti scalping wheels as you have to raise them before driving over it when you remove it. Took me maybe 5 minutes to hook it up the other night, less to take it off.
The next week I fixed the JD and came home to my wife mowing with it. After using the push mower to trim, I again put the mower back on the Kubota to help her finish as there were clouds moving in. This time I didn't bother to re-adjust the anti scalping wheels from the lowest setting but did not notice any scalping.
The mow quality is as good or better than the garden tractor. As I mentioned, smoother ride and the mower is actually quieter. I like not having the PTO shut off every time I back up like it does on the garden tractor.
As for the turns, I just try not to mow when the ground is too wet and try to avoid quick tight turns and of course keep it out of 4wd. Watch your head, because if you normally mow with the simplicity, those tree branches you slip under with it will hit you in the head.
I spent quite a bit of time on and off the tractor today. The mower was on it, but I was using the FEL. I don't have a problem getting on and off even with the deck on, but I also don't have knee or leg problems.
Good luck in your decision as well as with your health. Hang tough Chuck.
The drive over deck keeps you from having to pull it under the tractor. But you still have to lay on the ground and reach up under the tractor to hook up the PTO. That is the toughest part. Also you have to re-adjust the the anti scalping wheels as you have to raise them before driving over it when you remove it. Took me maybe 5 minutes to hook it up the other night, less to take it off.
The next week I fixed the JD and came home to my wife mowing with it. After using the push mower to trim, I again put the mower back on the Kubota to help her finish as there were clouds moving in. This time I didn't bother to re-adjust the anti scalping wheels from the lowest setting but did not notice any scalping.
The mow quality is as good or better than the garden tractor. As I mentioned, smoother ride and the mower is actually quieter. I like not having the PTO shut off every time I back up like it does on the garden tractor.
As for the turns, I just try not to mow when the ground is too wet and try to avoid quick tight turns and of course keep it out of 4wd. Watch your head, because if you normally mow with the simplicity, those tree branches you slip under with it will hit you in the head.
I spent quite a bit of time on and off the tractor today. The mower was on it, but I was using the FEL. I don't have a problem getting on and off even with the deck on, but I also don't have knee or leg problems.
Good luck in your decision as well as with your health. Hang tough Chuck.
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kakabeka
Member
We've been cutting our lawn with the 54" mmm on my B2620 for the last year. It cuts great and the ride is smooth. I run 2WD only and when it is wet I will back off in corners to make sure the turf tires don't spin.
With the drive over deck I can install or remove it in less than 5 minutes(the mid PTO can be a pain sometimes ).
Hope this helps.
Kakabeka
With the drive over deck I can install or remove it in less than 5 minutes(the mid PTO can be a pain sometimes ).
Hope this helps.
Kakabeka
Rusty
Gold Member
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Why not step on the deck?
Wacky - If I step on the deck there is 200# moving load concentrated somewhere on a piece of equipment that does not look like it was designed to support me. My choice.
TripleR
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Why not step on the deck?
I am not telling anyone else what they should or should not do, but I have used the deck on my BX2200 and BX2660 as a "step" since I got them. Sometimes I will lower the deck so the wheels are touching the ground and sometimes just lower it to the normal cutting height in which case the wheels touch the ground when I step on it. Like Chuck, I have mobility problems and it's either step on the deck or stay on the porch. I sadly weigh over 200 pounds.
Sadly since my wife retired I haven't got to mow much as she is always on "her" tractor and I have to use our L5030 HSTC most of the time durn it.:laughing:
Chuck for what its worth, I did a lot of FEL and bush hog work with my deck on and your B has a LOT more ground clearance than my BX.
Hope you are feeling better, Larry
Charlesaf3
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I have a b3030, loaded r4 tires (foamed) and the 72" mmm. I've mowed the lawn with it for 5 years.
Chuck, given what you've said, I'd recommend you get a Rear Finish Mower and a quick attach system (I strongly recommend Delta hook - it's expensive, but you get a skid steer quick attach in the back basically, its just easy)
Why? The MMM is a bit of a pain to set up. I've gotten pretty good at it - under 5 minutes on and off, but it requires some yanking back and forth to line it up, and the pto can be a pain to put on blind (I've gotten good at it, but it took years of practice). Rear attachments are much easier to put on and off - with the delta hook they literally take 30 seconds, most of which is climbing on and off the tractor to put on the PTO.
Mow quality is quite good, especially if the blades are kept sharp. I sharpen them with a flap disk in a grinder, as recd on here, and its simply amazing how fast they get sharpened. My 72" deck will scalp if mowed low, but mowing low is bad for grass, so I don't mind. I have to mow when it is DRY or the tires will tear things up - I am seriously thinking of getting another set of tires and rims just for mowing, unweighted turfs.
If you are going to leave the tractor set up all season as a really big lawnmower, I'd say the MMM is fine, and has some advantages for mowing - as does RFM. Which matters more will depend on your property, but in either case you can get the job done. Perhaps somebody else can do a better job of explaining what I mean.
I drive over the deck, btw, without adjusting anything. Do it on dirt not concrete. No problems with any of the wheels. Standing on deck is obviously no problem - frankly, I'd even stand on a little push mower deck, I wouldn't hesitate to stand on any tractor mower deck I've seen. I'm around 6'5 230lbs fyi
hope that is helpful
Chuck, given what you've said, I'd recommend you get a Rear Finish Mower and a quick attach system (I strongly recommend Delta hook - it's expensive, but you get a skid steer quick attach in the back basically, its just easy)
Why? The MMM is a bit of a pain to set up. I've gotten pretty good at it - under 5 minutes on and off, but it requires some yanking back and forth to line it up, and the pto can be a pain to put on blind (I've gotten good at it, but it took years of practice). Rear attachments are much easier to put on and off - with the delta hook they literally take 30 seconds, most of which is climbing on and off the tractor to put on the PTO.
Mow quality is quite good, especially if the blades are kept sharp. I sharpen them with a flap disk in a grinder, as recd on here, and its simply amazing how fast they get sharpened. My 72" deck will scalp if mowed low, but mowing low is bad for grass, so I don't mind. I have to mow when it is DRY or the tires will tear things up - I am seriously thinking of getting another set of tires and rims just for mowing, unweighted turfs.
If you are going to leave the tractor set up all season as a really big lawnmower, I'd say the MMM is fine, and has some advantages for mowing - as does RFM. Which matters more will depend on your property, but in either case you can get the job done. Perhaps somebody else can do a better job of explaining what I mean.
I drive over the deck, btw, without adjusting anything. Do it on dirt not concrete. No problems with any of the wheels. Standing on deck is obviously no problem - frankly, I'd even stand on a little push mower deck, I wouldn't hesitate to stand on any tractor mower deck I've seen. I'm around 6'5 230lbs fyi
hope that is helpful
