Realistic finish mower size - GC1715

thefisherman · Apr 29, 2019

So I'm in the midst of the debate between a 3 pt finish mower and the belly mower for the tractor I'm buying. Dealer is selling me the belly mower at cost, or I can get a Tar River RFM for about $1100 less. Belly mower is 60", RFM is 57.5".

I also have a 50" zero turn mower that I'm keeping, so I can do the detail work on my property (three acres) with something more maneuverable.

I'm looking at both 60" and 72" rear finish mowers. I'm really not convinced I can handle a 72" with this machine, but I'd love to and some of the mowers say they're good for tractors 15-30 hp. I'm also concerned about the lift capacity - documentation I've seen says the three point capacity is 661 pounds at 24" behind the pins, so theoretically these <600 pound mowers are within lift capacity, but will I be able to actually power it on anything but perfectly flat terrain?

dalola · Apr 29, 2019

I think RFM weight might be your determining factor. Not sure you want a "tail wagging the dog" scenario.

I would stick with the 60". If you're that pressed for time to be looking at a 72, you should probably reassess your equipment needs.

thefisherman · Apr 29, 2019

Not so much pressed for time as much as cost efficiency, and the time savings being a bonus. If a 60" is 1500 and a 72" is 1800, it'd be worth the extra $300 at that point - if it was safe to do so. There's also an abundance of used 72" mowers around.

Diggin It · Apr 29, 2019

I wouldn't try a 6'. I have a 60" MMM on mine and I think it's a bit stronger than the 1715. It works fine for what I need, but I'm never in a hurry mowing.

I went with the MMM over the trailing mower because of turning radius, I have some close areas.

atsah · Apr 29, 2019

It isn't stronger, the 1715 has more pto hp than the mt125.. I pull a six no problem, just need to take your time..

LS Tractor Owner · Apr 29, 2019

I pulled a 72" RFM w/o any problems with my MT 125. When lifting, you could definitely tell it was back there, but didn't lift the front end at all. I usually take the FEL off when mowing.

jeepcj7 · Apr 30, 2019

You are taxing your tractor with a 72" mower - the PTO clutch, the drive line. etc.... were never designed for that kind of load. Just because it can handle it doesn't mean it won't come back and bite you in the butt in the future.

atsah · Apr 30, 2019

jeepcj7 said:
You are taxing your tractor with a 72" mower - the PTO clutch, the drive line. etc.... were never designed for that kind of load. Just because it can handle it doesn't mean it won't come back and bite you in the butt in the future.

It depends how you use it, I mow in low range and keep the lawn mowed low, the tractor tells you if you are taxing it, when I blow heavy snow with a 54 inch blower, it taxes it if I go to fast. The tractor tells you whats going on..

LD48750 · Apr 30, 2019

I run a couple 6' RFM's with the same or lower PTO HP.
No problem, Ford 1510 or 2N.

Well.... I take that back, I do have a problem when I try to mow the swamp if the grass is over 12-18".
Tractor gets stuck if it is wet.

JWR · Apr 30, 2019

We are full of many things -- certainly advice !

My opinion is that you should go with the 60" belly mower. You did not say how much area you mow on a regular basis (which is a big factor I think.)

I have a 72" finish mower and 2 other machines with 60" belly mowers, all with roughly the same size and horsepower as you are about to buy. I do not recommend the 72" finish mower for your size tractor unless you have a terrific amount of open, fairly flat area to mow on a regular basis. Other reasons too. That finish mower out there behind you is a VERY unwieldy/cumbersome nuisance much of the time and offers no advantage over the belly mower in any way as far as cut quality. Takes up storage space, involves craning your neck more, etc. My finish mower is a Landpride 72" which is heavy as He double LL and sucks considerably more power to run than the 60" belly mowers -- not just a little , a bunch. So much so that I moved it to a larger utility tractor for a few years and then just gave it a "very long-term loan" to another family member to get rid of it.

Not that you have to get as heavy a finish mower as my Landpride FDR2572 which weighs 718 lbs., half the weight of your tractor, but that is just not a good combo.

I think you are underpowered and light for a 72" finish mower.

Not that you CAN'T but more that YOU DON'T WANT TO.