3PH finishing mower or belly mower?

[Mattsy Fergy]

That's good to know, thank you.

 

[AxleHub]

Lots of good info, thanks.
I have a little over 2 acres, mostly grass, wooded along the edge and one corner.
A MMM would work on most of it, and I hope this will be my last tractor, so not worried about upgrading.
I hadn't considered looking behind me all the time, and with a disc issue in my neck, that is a real problem.
I am getting a FEL, mostly for snow removal, but also some other work in the summer.
I have a slope along a ditch that is dangerous, so I would like a sickle bar for that area, or I may "engineer" a pull behind that I can offset for that, so I don't have to get too close to the edge, and I can use it for getting up close under the evergreens.
The GC1705 that I have my eyes on does have the drive over, that is supposed to be fairly easy to remove.
It looks like the MMM is the best fit for me.
Thank you all for the advice.

If you are considering any of the GC subcompact (2300 2400 2600 1700s ) I would recommend the MF 2315 which is the 54 inch dedicated mulching belly mower. It does an excellent job of cutting and has no exhaust chute so you can cut close in either direction. It has 6 blades. . . Not 3.

 

[Mattsy Fergy]

Thanks. My "yard" is mostly field, which grows tall and heavy in some areas and sparse in others. It's actually a reclaimed gravel pit, lots of clay.
I have just a small area of real yard, and I don't really care much about appearance, I just want to get it cut so I can get on to what I consider more important things.
I have a 54" mower now, and I want the 60" to cut the time down some. The FEL will allow me to fill some ruts, and smooth things out a bit.

 

[CADplans]

Which mower is best,,, depends on the mower,,, a LOT!!

Read the JD forum, guys constantly fight to figure out how to get the MMM mower to cut level.
The JD's have a suspended deck, with wheels that only touch when a high spot is encountered.

Newer RFM's have four gauge wheels,, they follow the ground, and cut nicely.

There are MMM's with four gauge wheels, i have one.

The gauge wheels should be part of your decision.

 

[irvingj]

I have the 2310 with a MMM. Since I have a smooth concrete area (garage floor), installing/removing the MMM is not a big deal. Two of the gauge wheels swivel, so it can pulled sideways easily; for the two wheels that don't swivel, I slide a sheet of plastic under them and then they slide sideways easily. Install /removal might take 10-12 minutes, tops. Cut is excellent.

 

[ovrszd]

Which mower is best,,, depends on the mower,,, a LOT!!

Read the JD forum, guys constantly fight to figure out how to get the MMM mower to cut level.
The JD's have a suspended deck, with wheels that only touch when a high spot is encountered.

Newer RFM's have four gauge wheels,, they follow the ground, and cut nicely.

There are MMM's with four gauge wheels, i have one.

The gauge wheels should be part of your decision.

I totally agree!!!! Best MMM I ever had was a 60" on a Kubota B2910. The deck carried itself on four wheels. No comparison to my current 62" JD MMM being carried by the tractor.

 

[plowhog]

Fiz,

Do you have a picture you could post of your MMM and Proters PV-18-PTO quick dump grass catcher? Did you unit fit "factory-direct" or did you have to build and modify something? Did you consider any other baggers before choosing that one? And, do you know, approximately, what the combined cost of a MMM and bagger might be?

Twice per year, at a remote property, I have huge leaf cleanup; otherwise, regular mowing needs. I'm trying to decide whether to buy a lawn tractor for that property with bagging system, or add a MMM and bagger to my GC1710. I would have to trailer the 1710 and bagger to the property needing cleanup, but since its only twice per year I could do that. I'm trying to decide whether to invest the $$$ in a better lawn tractor and bagger, or go with a lower end mower with no bagger, since I could bring in the 1710 when needed.

 

[kthompson]

Have used rfm but never a mmm on a tractor. One issue not mentioned or what I think is a difference is mmm the tractor's rear wheels do not run over the grass before being cut. One less set of tires which I would think would give you better cut but let those who have a mmm answer that. We have a good bit of trees and shrubs in our yard and if you take your time a till you get use hitting with it in turns should not be an issue, if you are turning that tight think you are damaging the grass with the front wheels digging in.

Just wondering, how does the cost of mmm compare to a true lawnmower?

 

[irvingj]

I finally broke down last year and bought a leaf vac, this one's made by DR. It works very well, though I have to be careful on slopes. Really does chew up leaves and is extremely easy to empty.

 

[Mattsy Fergy]

I currently have a Simplicity Prestige with a 54" belly mower, which does a good job, it rides on rollers, a row across the back and a couple others on front.
Simplicity is supposedly recognized as the best cut for tractor mowers.
My original question was how does a suspended belly mower cut, in comparison to a 3ph mower? I assumed all the subcompact tractors were suspended.
Local JD dealer has a used 1023e with loader and 3ph mower, for a reasonable price, which was why I asked.