GC1700 Can backhoe can stay on with mid-mount mower?

[gojira]

The title probably says it all. I have a GC1710 and was thinking about getting a mid-mount mower for it. I looked in my owner's manual and didn't see anything specific but do I have to remove the backhoe to use the mower? I'm thinking mostly the up-down movement of the mower with the 3-point system tied up with the backhoe on.

I might want to remove it and the FEL when I'm mowing but I like having options!

 

[jeepcj7]

I believe you can leave the mower on with the backhoe installed but there is no real value in it because as you stated you need to raise and lower the rocker arms to raise and lower the mower and the backhoe prevents you from lowering the rocker arms.

 

[gojira]

I believe you can leave the mower on with the backhoe installed but there is no real value in it because as you stated you need to raise and lower the rocker arms to raise and lower the mower and the backhoe prevents you from lowering the rocker arms.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. It'll give me the impetus to build a "rollaround" dolly for the backhoe so I can move things around in my "tractor shed" easier.

 

[Diggin It]

Different brand, but I can (and have) used the MMM with the BH on including raising and lowering the mower. I have full function of all three (FEL included) while on.

 

[Dmacleo]

do know for sure on a GC1710, a GC1723, and a GC1725 you would have issues unless you choose to mow with deck all the way up always.
fel/backhoe off safer on hills too. plus you won't swing them into things like....some...of us have LOL

 

[gojira]

do know for sure on a GC1710, a GC1723, and a GC1725 you would have issues unless you choose to mow with deck all the way up always.
fel/backhoe off safer on hills too. plus you won't swing them into things like....some...of us have LOL

Most of my mowing is flat but there are a couple of hilly areas that could be much scarier with too much top weight, plus the backhoe pads do stick out a bit (I forgot that and hit my mailbox clearing some snow a couple of years ago!)

 

[Dmacleo]

Most of my mowing is flat but there are a couple of hilly areas that could be much scarier with too much top weight, plus the backhoe pads do stick out a bit (I forgot that and hit my mailbox clearing some snow a couple of years ago!)

I wont mention how my bucket almost hit wife car as I was turning blower away from same car.
nope.
not gonna mention it LOL

also won't mention I had to fix someones mailbox the other day...nope not gonna mention it.

 

[irvingj]

I will ALWAYS remove my BH for most operations -- mowing, blowing, bucket loading/scraping, etc. Unless I plan to lift heavy stuff with the FEL, the BH is off. In actuality, the only time I put the BH on is when I plan to use it (and in that case, the FEL always goes on, too.)

Not sure about the set-up with newer GCs, but on mine, I can drop the BH in about 8 minutes; putting it back on varies, depending on how close I get lined up the first time, but extension hoses on the 3 lines really helps, as I can be connected to the BH while still 2 feet away from it.

With the hydraulic extensions (which I leave on the BH), I can easily drop it to the ground -- a firm spot/stump/concrete pad-- and retract the stabilizers all the way for storage, then a small tarp (I use an old shower curtain) for a cover. I suggest you practice doing that, it does get easier with repetition-- and with the BH off the tractor is just much easier to maneuver and control.

PS: If you DO leave the BH on for mowing, I believe you still have to disconnect the hydraulic lines to it and connect the two recirculating lines (just as if the BH were removed) in order for the 3PH/MMM to raise & lower.

 

[Dmacleo]

yeah you do have to do that connection, which gives you about 3 inches movement on mower deck. tying up the rear 3pt arms prevents them from lowering much, which restricts the left side lift link from moving the mid mount lift arms.
and on a brand new GC1725TLB with mower, if you run mower with backhoe on dealers here will mess you up on warranty stuff.

 

[GeneV]

Well the 3ph lift arms need to lower when the mmm deck does (but not vise versa, btw), but I'm not sure if the gap back there where the the hoe mounts would allow it. Maybe. In any case, why would you want to leave it on anyways? The GC is not the most comfy mower as is, but having even the loader on makes it less so....couldn't even imagine leaving the backhoe on would improve it. Not to mention how much soil compaction you're doing there to your lawn with all that weight mounted.

I dunno which deck you're considering, but the 60" drive-over one is close to $3k...and it won't even accept a mulching kit, nor will it take any other mowing blades (hi-lifts, gators, etc) besides the stock ones. I like to cut my grass on the tall side during the summer, but these stock blades just don't stand the grass up to my liking at that height, so it doesn't leave the nicest cut. $3k would buy you a very nice garden tractor that would accept a mulch kit for fall leaf cleanup, various blades, etc.

Its one saving grace is that it will chew through anything w/o bogging. Now that I have a zero turn stander mower, I plan to use the GC's deck as a brush hog (if I don't sell it).

 

[Dmacleo]

Well the 3ph lift arms need to lower when the mmm deck does (but not vise versa, btw), but I'm not sure if the gap back there where the the hoe mounts would allow it. Maybe. In any case, why would you want to leave it on anyways? The GC is not the most comfy mower as is, but having even the loader on makes it less so....couldn't even imagine leaving the backhoe on would improve it. Not to mention how much soil compaction you're doing there to your lawn with all that weight mounted.

I dunno which deck you're considering, but the 60" drive-over one is close to $3k...and it won't even accept a mulching kit, nor will it take any other mowing blades (hi-lifts, gators, etc) besides the stock ones. I like to cut my grass on the tall side during the summer, but these stock blades just don't stand the grass up to my liking at that height, so it doesn't leave the nicest cut. $3k would buy you a very nice garden tractor that would accept a mulch kit for fall leaf cleanup, various blades, etc.

Its one saving grace is that it will chew through anything w/o bogging. Now that I have a zero turn stander mower, I plan to use the GC's deck as a brush hog (if I don't sell it).

in Oct 2020 a 60" drive over was 2500$ at dealer.
this is best deal I found on blades, I keep 2 sets on hand. one sharpened one on deck

Amazon.com : Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 OEM Agco Mower Blades (Set of 3), Challenger, and Agco 60 Inch Mid-Mount Mowers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 OEM Agco Mower Blades (Set of 3), Challenger, and Agco 60 Inch Mid-Mount Mowers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

if your back links, on a gc2400/1710/1723/1725 can't move your deck will NOT move. and I can prove on a 1710,1723,and 1725 hoe mounted prevents movement.
the deck lift movement is driven off left rear 3pt lift. with backhoe on it cannot float down. then deck will not lower.
run a deck with backhoe on and area dealers will void warranties on brand new machines.

 

[GeneV]

in Oct 2020 a 60" drive over was 2500$ at dealer.
this is best deal I found on blades, I keep 2 sets on hand. one sharpened one on deck

Amazon.com : Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 OEM Agco Mower Blades (Set of 3), Challenger, and Agco 60 Inch Mid-Mount Mowers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 OEM Agco Mower Blades (Set of 3), Challenger, and Agco 60 Inch Mid-Mount Mowers : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

if your back links, on a gc2400/1710/1723/1725 can't move your deck will NOT move. and I can prove on a 1710,1723,and 1725 hoe mounted prevents movement.
the deck lift movement is driven off left rear 3pt lift. with backhoe on it cannot float down. then deck will not lower.
run a deck with backhoe on and area dealers will void warranties on brand new machines.

I priced the deck a few months ago coz I was looking to sell it, the dealer here told me they sell new around $3k currently. Everything went up late last year.

Yeh, you could get blade replacements, but it's the same low-mid lift blade, there's no other option available. That sux.

 

[Dmacleo]

very true, but what can you do?
I keep set sharp for...I'm not gonna say fast as it involves bucket and chains...swap outs.
good thing though...these blades a full 1/4" thick and go through about anything.
got 68 spruce trees lining borders of my lot. spruce trees like to stick their roots out of ground. there are many spruce trees here with a lot of missing material on top of root LOL
and minor nicks in blades. damned things are heavy. which saves them. would love a gator style blade for MY needs (I stress my needs) but....not happening.

 

[GeneV]

very true, but what can you do?
I keep set sharp for...I'm not gonna say fast as it involves bucket and chains...swap outs.
good thing though...these blades a full 1/4" thick and go through about anything.
got 68 spruce trees lining borders of my lot. spruce trees like to stick their roots out of ground. there are many spruce trees here with a lot of missing material on top of root LOL
and minor nicks in blades. damned things are heavy. which saves them. would love a gator style blade for MY needs (I stress my needs) but....not happening.

Yeh, that's the one awesome thing about the mower deck, it will chew through anything with the pto drive and those 1/4" blades, w/o a hiccup.

I was just giving the o/p options, since sounds like he hasn't bought the deck yet. For the price of it, you could get a dedicated mower (garden tractor) with which it will be more comfortable to mow, allow you to use a mulching kit, different type of blades, and hey another tractor. And the big plus is that you don't have to dismount the loader and backhoe to use the mower. Yes, it doesn't take too long to do that, but it is a hassle having to do that every week, and then having to reattach it.

I'd say the main positives to getting a mmm is if you mainly use the scut as a mower during that season, with the attachments parked. Or, you just don't want to maintain separate pieces of equipment. Or...you like having the deck as ballast and as a way to lower the center of gravity (quite effective, actually).

 

[Dmacleo]

LOL my MMM, bucket, tiller, go on and off many times a week.
for me, its the best option. for others maybe not best option.
now I can rotate (now due to compost actions) 25+ yds3 of horse manure with MMM on. but I choose not to.
after rotate I usually have some tilling to do. bucket on helps with front weight as well as gives me ability to unstick myself if needed.
then bucket and tiller off MMM mounted lawn/fields mowed.
open minds lead to good options LOL

 

[GeneV]

Yeh for sure, everyone has their own preferences.