mid mount mower or 3pt finishing mower

[IH2424]

Hello All, long time lurker, here to ask my first question - we just bought a small property @ 9acres, with abt 2-3 acres of grass
I need to get a compact or subcompact tractor and think a 3pt finishing mower might be better than the drive over mid mounts that are available?
The grass is pretty rough and has some areas where a low mounted mower might risk high center on that size tractor.
I don't need a brush cutter though.

What are your experiences using a 3pt finishing mower vs a mid mount mower on a small tractor (sub 30hp) ?
Thanks in advance

One issue I didn't see mentioned is that your ability to use wheel extensions with a MMM is affected. My Kubota B was very tippy, so I ended up putting 3" wheel extensions on the back. I think with the MMM you can only add 1 1/2 extensions. I suggest a little time in the seat to see if your tractor feels tippy, and then you might want to add extensions. I decided with mine that safety and stability outweighed limitation of no MMM - I will at some point get a Finish Mower.

Tim

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A front deck Grasshopper ZT rides very good compared to other ZT's, the deck out front really makes a difference. Mines diesel powered and is fairly easy on fuel usage too.

As for snow removal, the GH has a 2 point hitch and the front deck comes off very easily, you back out of the mower deck and drive right into the sno-blower.

My GH with a snowblower works very good and throws the snow quite a ways.

SR

 

[4570Man]

A front deck Grasshopper ZT rides very good compared to other ZT's, the deck out front really makes a difference. Mines diesel powered and is fairly easy on fuel usage too.

As for snow removal, the GH has a 2 point hitch and the front deck comes off very easily, you back out of the mower deck and drive right into the sno-blower.

My GH with a snowblower works very good and throws the snow quite a ways.

SR

We can agree to disagree on that topic. I have a 428d mid mount grasshopper and a front deck Kubota which steers different from the grasshopper but the principal is mostly the same. The Kubota rides worse than my mid mount and the traction is drastically worse than my midmount. Kubota offers a 4x4 front mount which mine isn’t but the grasshoppers are all 2wd. The front mount has a few advantages but overall I’d rather mow with my mid mount vs the front.

 

[Mart5130]

Hello All, long time lurker, here to ask my first question - we just bought a small property @ 9acres, with abt 2-3 acres of grass
I need to get a compact or subcompact tractor and think a 3pt finishing mower might be better than the drive over mid mounts that are available?
The grass is pretty rough and has some areas where a low mounted mower might risk high center on that size tractor.
I don't need a brush cutter though.

What are your experiences using a 3pt finishing mower vs a mid mount mower on a small tractor (sub 30hp) ?
Thanks in advance

Finish mowers are ok but a pain to go around trees etc. I sold mine and bought a Ferris zero turn mower. Much easier and faster

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I use a 6 ft finish on my 20hp Massey, no problem. If you let it grow tall, you do have to mow it down in multiple pass, but that’s because it’s a finish mower.
But I love using my ZT now, much faster.
I much prefer RFM over a belly mower, unless the belly mower is under my ZT seat.

 

[diesel85]

I have used both. Mowing about 5 acres regularly, sometimes assist with neighbors 7 acre pastures

An older model (early 80's) IH 234 2WD with a woods 72 inch mmm. Hated taking that thing off with a passion. At least a half hour off, and an hour to put the thing back on. It was a lower HP tractor, but it ran the mower OK, if you kept up on the mowing. If you let it wait an extra week or two, then mowing time doubled. The tractor ran like a dream, but was just a bit underpowered for the mower that was mounted on it. Basically used it as a lawn mower, occasionally pulled a ground drive spreader or a chain harrow with the machine.

Currently am mowing with a NH TC33 4WD and a Land Pride 72 inch 3 point finish mower. Can now mow in less than half the time, it looks better, and handles tougher conditions with ease. Connect and Disconnect in 5 min. The machine is quite a bit longer, with the front end loader, seems like a bus compared to the IH. Plenty of power to drive the mower. Love the FEL, and the utility that comes with it. The TC33 has enough traction to plow the private road in the winter (about 1.2 miles), as well a pull any implement I need.

For me, the larger tractor is a game changer. I spend less time preparing and mowing with the larger tractor, it is more useful around the farm. The MMM was easier to drive, and maneuver, but took much longer when looking at the total picture, especially when it came to maintenance. Had to replace the belt on the MMM once every couple years, have been using the current belt on the Land Pride for 3 years, and it looks like new. Do yourself a favor, get a CUT, with more HP than you think you need. Get the cab, 4WD, HST and a decent FEL. You will be happier for your choices. I have almost never heard anyone say, 'I bought too much tractor'.

My neighbor has a TC33D with a 72" KingKutter. Had it the same length as my Kubota BX2200. Seemed to have less problems with it too, and they leave it outside 90% of the time, where as my BX stays in a barn out of the elements.

I was looking at a L3901, but I had a chance to use a L4701 with a 72" KingKutter and I was sold. Here I was thinking the L4701 was too big! Nope, just right -- maybe could go bigger... lol

Decisions, decisions.....

 

[10Ring]

I also use a 72" KingKutter that does an excellent job of finish cutting. Like the layout also. Easy to access grease zerks, belt, etc.

 

[huskerz]

I have the JD 1026R (older version of 1025) with 60" MMM with quick connect setup. The loader is really quick to disconnect too. I also bought a heavy hitch 3pt quick hitch too which holds suitcase weights and has a receiver hitch. I mow about 2 acres on some steep grade with a lot of trees and obstacles. ZT or RFM would not work for me since some of those slopes are shaded and can have a little dew when I mow in the mornings. Still use my old school '87 JD332 with bagger around the house. Depends on your terrain and what your priorities are. Both of my mowers are diesel and probably use 1/2 the fuel of a gas ZT which is something to consider too.

 

[Dan Dargeloh]

I have a 7 foot Farm King finishing mower I use behind a 5303 John Deere which does a good job. It doesn't spread the cut grass out as well as my zero turn or lawn tractor, but it sure makes quick work of the open areas. I would definitely take a finishing mower over a mid mount any day of the week.

 

[Bentrim]

A few points to consider-- may also talk to dealer as will have more parts for his sales "leaders"
Rear Mount
1. Less dirt puffing up it is behind the tractor
2 Easy on and off
3 able to mow under trees and over ditches
4 easier to service especially the blades
5 Universal fit for most 3ph tractor
6 easier to sell
7. May require front weights
8. Harder to know where edge of mower is --- turning head around or possible mirror
9. combination is longer than mmm
MMM
1 more dirt puffing up around the operator
2 more difficult to take off -- May interfere with other uses of the tractor
3.limited "reach" but easier to see where end of mower is
4. need to remove for some or all service
5. specific mountings for make, model, and even some transmission types -- may not mount if equipped with a loader.
6. harder to sell doesn't hold value.
7. low clearance may have issues crossing banks or getting stuck in mud or snow
8. can use a vacuum or sweeper while mowing
9. less storage space required

Any More?