Buying Advice Tractor for 84" to 96" RFM

PsRumors · Aug 30, 2020

I am wanting an 84" to 96" rear mount finish mower but need a tractor to run it. I have my L45 for loader and backhoe work but it is down on PTO hp and the loader isn't removable.

Price point, the less expensive the better. $7k is about max. Diesel is highly preferred. 2 wheel drive is fine but power steering is a must. Live PTO, whether true independent or 2 stage clutch. I'd like the tractor to have enough of a low gear to run a tiller.

What tractor would you all recommend?

oosik · Aug 30, 2020

First - look at the spec sheets for the mowers under consideration. What PTO hp do the manufacturers recommend. This will give a good starting point on tractor selection. Second - is your land flat, level & dry. If not - you should consider 4WD. Third - your budget may not be realistic.

PsRumors · Aug 30, 2020

35 to 45 pto hp

2wd is fine for my needs

Massey 135, 245, etc can be had for well under $7k

Not looking at new compacts but good tried and true tractors

rademamj1 · Aug 30, 2020

Re: Tractor for 84" to 96" RFM

Here is a really nice Massy 135, fully restored with new tires. I am sure they can ship it to you at a reasonable cost. I think they even have a set of rear remotes.

Pardon Our Interruption

PsRumors · Aug 30, 2020

Re: Tractor for 84" to 96" RFM

rademamj1 said:
Here is a really nice Massy 135, fully restored with new tires. I am sure they can ship it to you at a reasonable cost. I think they even have a set of rear remotes.

Pardon Our Interruption

I saw that. And it is nice, but gas. Gas will be the last choice

Dave M7040 · Aug 30, 2020

Re: Tractor for 84" to 96" RFM

I have a Landpride 72" RFM behind my Kubota M7040.

In reality, I prefer using my Zero Turn and can get more grass cut per hour as so little time is wasted turning.

Dave M7040

RickB · Aug 30, 2020

I ran a Woods RM990 (90 inch) mower for years with a David Brown 885. 42+- PTO hp. Plenty of power.

RickB · Aug 30, 2020

Re: Tractor for 84" to 96" RFM

Dave M7040 said:
I have a Landpride 72" RFM behind my Kubota M7040.

In reality, I prefer using my Zero Turn and can get more grass cut per hour as so little time is wasted turning.

Dave M7040

One of those jobs where MFD is a hindrance.

EddieWalker · Aug 30, 2020

I have a 37hp 4x4 tractor and it's able to pull and run my 84 inch finish mower just fine. It leaves a much nicer cut them my 6ft rotary cutter and it's easier to pull. I don' t have a front loader on it, so when I lift the mower, my front end gets really light. If I'm on flat ground, I'm OK, but if I'm going up hill and I lift the finish mower off of the ground, my tires will become so light that I cannot steer it.

If I was going to buy another tractor just to pull a finish mower that big, I would want something in the 45 hp range. 40 hp should work, but if it's a used tractor, you probably don't have 40 hp any more. For a bigger mower, it would have to be quite a bit bigger tractor.

Since buying my 5ft zero turn, I have not used my rear finish mower behind my tractor. For my nice walking trails, I'll hit them with the rotary cutter if they get out of control, and then go over them with the zero turn. The tires have rotted off of the finish mower, and I'm guessing the belt is probably bad too. It's been quite a few years since I used it. I might sell it, or I might get a bigger tractor and a batwing, and then put the 7ft finish mower on the 37hp tractor permanently for mowing the dam and around my pond.