Comparison Midmount or rear finishing mower?

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have a lawn and not a yard. I prefer a MMM with my hills and numerous trees. I have at times, cut twice as the front tires mashed the grass down and it was not cut to my requirements. I would think that would be more of a problem with all four tires running the grass down before it gets to the blades. I think it all depends on how particular you are about your grass cutting and finding what works for you.

I always added "Spring up" to my grass to get the grass to spring back up before the RFM blades engaged the blades of grass to decrease their growth height.
I then stepped up to the plate and left the RFM/MMM tractor world and got Kubota F mowers to get the job done right without having to use "Spring up". I just care enough to go all the way.

 

[Notforhire]

I have a question for you RMFM guys. I have a small pasture (4ac) that I cut, it's mostly grass, with some blackberry bushes that are trying to grow back up. I now use a L3240, w/ a 6 ft Bush Hog. The PTO control on my tractor is electric so it engages suddenly, and stops suddenly too. There is a lot of weight to start spinning back there. I was wondering if a RFM would require less torque to start and stop, and be easier on my tractor.
Would cutting some blackberry bushes wreck a RMFM?
A neighbor has a 6 ft. NH brand RMFM she is trying to sell, and I think I could get it for a good price.

Thoughts?

Bill

 

[PHILIP8N]

A rfm has much less inertia than a bush hog, so it is easier to engage. Here is what I do to engage rear pto equipment. Idle engine, push clutch in, engage pto, slowly release clutch, slowly bring engine rpm up to pto speed. If you still have problems, bring idle speed up to 1200 or 1500 rpm if necessary. To disengage pto equipment, I just push in clutch, disengage pto, release clutch. Philip.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think a 3540 with a mmm will weigh close to 5000#'s. I know my tractor beats the grass down bad just running over it one time. Have you thought about a bx with a mmm?

I have a question for you RMFM guys. I have a small pasture (4ac) that I cut, it's mostly grass, with some blackberry bushes that are trying to grow back up. I now use a L3240, w/ a 6 ft Bush Hog. The PTO control on my tractor is electric so it engages suddenly, and stops suddenly too. There is a lot of weight to start spinning back there. I was wondering if a RFM would require less torque to start and stop, and be easier on my tractor.
Would cutting some blackberry bushes wreck a RMFM?
A neighbor has a 6 ft. NH brand RMFM she is trying to sell, and I think I could get it for a good price.

Thoughts?

Bill

Are you clutching it when you engage it? I would stick with the rotary cutter you have if you have bushes growing up.

 

[WilliamBos]

I you buy a good set of Radial turf tires, you will not have a problem. Properly inflated your foot print and compaction will be minimal.

 

[Notforhire]

A rfm has much less inertia than a bush hog, so it is easier to engage. Here is what I do to engage rear pto equipment. Idle engine, push clutch in, engage pto, slowly release clutch, slowly bring engine rpm up to pto speed. If you still have problems, bring idle speed up to 1200 or 1500 rpm if necessary. To disengage pto equipment, I just push in clutch, disengage pto, release clutch. Philip.

My tractor has an electric operated PTO. There is no foot or hand operated clutch. You pull out the switch and it engages. You push it in and it stops. There is also a brake on the PTO which does not allow it to coast down. The brake comes on as soon as you shut down the PTO.

Bill

 

[94BULLITT]

My tractor has an electric operated PTO. There is no foot or hand operated clutch. You pull out the switch and it engages. You push it in and it stops. There is also a brake on the PTO which does not allow it to coast down. The brake comes on as soon as you shut down the PTO.

Bill

I so exactly what Philip said. You use the same clucth you have to push to get the tractor to start.

 

[RobertBrown]

The amount of trimming with each mower is hard to determine, but you'll have it with either. I use a pull behind and I can tell you that between the loader and the mower, it takes a lot of room to turn around and some getting used too, you have to be on your toes, so to speak.
Doesn't seem like money is an issue so if you can get the mid mount off in 5 minutes? Get the Mid mount. Get a good one. If it's not made with 5/16" plate steel, don't buy it. Do not get one of those sheet metal decks as it won't hold up,
If you have a loader and you will be mowing with the loader on, seriously consider a MMM.
But I think either way you will get the job done.

 

[PHILIP8N]

My tractor has an electric operated PTO. There is no foot or hand operated clutch. You pull out the switch and it engages. You push it in and it stops. There is also a brake on the PTO which does not allow it to coast down. The brake comes on as soon as you shut down the PTO.

Bill

There is a clutch pedal on left side of the floor board. By slipping this clutch, you can slowly engage your pto shaft. Follow my instructions above and try it! Philip.

 

[Notforhire]

I so exactly what Philip said. You use the same clucth you have to push to get the tractor to start.

I have a GST. The clutch has no control over the PTO. It is what they call an independent PTO. It doesn't work like a Kubota HST. When you push in the clutch and come to a stop, the PTO is still under power, untill you push the stop switch. Honest.

Bill