755 and mower...try to fix or time to trade?

[JD755]

I have been offered the loan of a John Deere 261 grooming mower. This looks awfully big to me, will it mount on my 755's 3 point hitch, which I believe is a category one hitch. ???

The 261 was a JD factory recommended option for the 755.

 

[jenkinsph]

With 1400 hours I would make the repairs and keep the 755. You should be able to fix up your deck and keep it too. If you like the 261 after trying it out it may be a keeper too. Any of this is a lot cheaper than a new decent lawn mower.

 

[Kevin M]

A good welder could cut the bad section of deck out and replace it with new steel , I'll take a closer look at mine tonight to help you get a better idea of what to do , I'd fix your 755 they don't make them that good now , LOL

 

[Ed755]

I have the tractor fixed and running, at least for now, so that part is solved, keep the 755.
The 261 grooming mower was dropped off, but it has not received much TLC or covered storage, very rusty. The drive shaft is completely frozen ( I got it off, took it to the dealers, they tried an electric chain hoist, no go, then chained it to a floor column and tugged at it with a fork lift, no go, so a new drive shaft plus yokes and quik tach would be needed, plus new belt. So looking at around $625 plus there. the belt was off, below a tight point between right hand spindle pulley wheel and mounting post for belt tension spring, makes me wonder if there might be some wobble in the spindle. Rust chips like cookies were coming off the deck top, but I don't detect any spots about to rust all the way through using a tap test...end of season here, I could take it in for scrap value and then next spring, get a new LandPride 60" for $2450...that is tempting. Cause I don't know when a spindle might part company with the deck, like my old mid-mount did...am leaning towards the new LandPride option...advice?

 

[GreenYellow]

I wholeheartedly recommend landpride. You'd be hard pressed to find anything better quality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Ed755]

I wholeheartedly recommend landpride. You'd be hard pressed to find anything better quality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

That is certainly sounding like the more attractive option, especially since it is end of season, my neighbor helped out with the last cutting, and I wouldn't have to spend the money until next year, maybe giving me the chance to sell a rifle or two to fund the purchase. I did the tap test on the 261 shell, looking for weak spots, couldn't hear any difference, but when I cleaned it up I was getting thin-mint sized cookies of rust off it. The deck is a lot thicker metal than my old mid -mount, which rusted through in many spots, but still...I know a new LandPride would outlast me, not so sure about this mistreated 261.

 

[Ed755]

I wholeheartedly recommend landpride. You'd be hard pressed to find anything better quality.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

That is certainly sounding like the more attractive option, especially since it is end of season, my neighbor helped out with the last cutting, and I wouldn't have to spend the money until next year, maybe giving me the chance to sell a rifle or two to help fund the purchase. I did a tap test on the 261 shell, looking for weak spots, couldn't hear any differences, but when I had first tried cleaning it up I was getting thin-mint sized cookies of rust off it. The deck is a lot thicker metal than my old mid -mount, which rusted through in many spots, but still...I know a new LandPride would outlast me, not so sure about this mistreated 261.

 

[tlj87]

Don't discount a Woods RD or the newer PRD series rear mount finish mowers. Also excellent. Keep an eye on CraigsIist, you may find a slightly used one for a fraction of the price of new.

 

[techwrtr2]

Don't discount a Woods RD or the newer PRD series rear mount finish mowers. Also excellent. Keep an eye on CraigsIist, you may find a slightly used one for a fraction of the price of new.

CL is where I found my 72" Land Pride for $900 and it was in great shape other than the tires losing air. I didn't use the MMM at all this season. Doubt I'll sell it however. It's still a better cutting mower if I don't need to remove it all the time.

 

[techwrtr2]

That is certainly sounding like the more attractive option, especially since it is end of season, my neighbor helped out with the last cutting, and I wouldn't have to spend the money until next year, maybe giving me the chance to sell a rifle or two to help fund the purchase. I did a tap test on the 261 shell, looking for weak spots, couldn't hear any differences, but when I had first tried cleaning it up I was getting thin-mint sized cookies of rust off it. The deck is a lot thicker metal than my old mid -mount, which rusted through in many spots, but still...I know a new LandPride would outlast me, not so sure about this mistreated 261.

Since I don't know where you live, I cannot say if this is at all near you but check this as an example. https://binghamton.craigslist.org/grd/5271330527.html