2300 - Mulch or Discharge

[skivt]

Well, got word from the dealer that the 6 blade, mulching mower I ordered is having issues. Apparantly the blades made in Japan are not passing OSHA guidelines so the blades will now be made in the US. No ETA on the new blades and my grass keeps getting greener. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I have at least six choices:

1 - Wait for the 54" 6 blade mulching mower and hope the mower is better quality than the blades were.

2 - Get the 60" side discharge mower. Downside is that raking may be needed more often than with a mulcher. Upside is the extra 6" (At least that is what she said /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ) Another plus is that it is in stock.

3 - Get the 54" side discharge with mulching kit. Upside is it mulchs. Downside is that it is smaller than 54" and the mulching ability is unknown. I worry that it will not work well as they have since started making the one I ordered that is specifically made for mulching.

4 - After market MMM

5 - After market rear 3 Pt Mower

6 - Buy goats

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Skivt

 

[44trxfun]

Hi Skivt,

I can't give you a whole lot of help, given your options. I have the MF 60" deck, w/o mulch kit. As you know, I guess MF (for whatever reason) doesn't have a mulch kit for it. I live out in the country so I strap the discharge guard up, make sure no one's around and let the clippings fly. I definately have to stay on top of the mowing or I have to rake. It's not the best system, but it works.

As I recall, Kubota's 60" deck is available with a mulch kit. Strange as it sounds, I wonder whether you could use the Kub mower with your tractor. My dealer carries both lines so if you want I could make a phone call for you.

I guess any mix/match setup should be evaluated for warranty issues; doesn't seem like there should be a snag there, but better to know sooner than later.

Good luck, I gotta go mow...

 

[loulblades]

I have the 2300 with the 60" MMM side discharge. I really would like to have mulching capability. When the grass gets a little deep (I try to keep it down....but) that 60" mower really concentrates the grass.

When I first bought the tractor, I had a 60" Woods rear mower. It had a rear discharge which was real nice. Kept the grass more distributed. But my daughters, who mow the grass from time to time, didn't appreciate having to jockey the mower around the trees in our yard. I still like the rear mower concept better. Easier to remove and connect, lift it to full height for cleaning.

If you do go with a rear mower, I suggest either putting weight in the front or, as my dealer did, put liquid in the front tires. Personal experience suggests not relying on the FEL for weight when mowing (especially if you have trees). Also my dealer welded chains across the back opening.

So I search for mulching blades and if I find them, will put a gate on the discharge of my current system.

It's hard not to have fun with this thing.

 

[skivt]

Just your description of how the grass comes out is help. I am already leaning towards the mulcher so it won't take much. I am going from a 42" Wheelhorse so it is still a foot wider at 54".

Your idea about the kubota mower is very interesting. I will probably pass as I get concerned with items that do not explicitly say, compatible with MF.

Thanks again,

Ken

 

[skivt]

OK, you just got me all excited about a rear mower. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I really do not want the mower on when I use the loader and this would make it easier to remove. Also, I like to wash the grass off and this would also be easier. As luck has it, I only have one tree to go around so I can live with the reduced turning ability. Hmmmmm, now to research.

Anyone know if rear mowers come as mulchers? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[loulblades]

BTW: My rear mower was a King Kutter (my dealer sells Woods also). I asked my dealer about a rear mulcher and he said he doesn't know of any (Of course that doesn't mean they don't exist).

 

[skivt]

I just discovered that the Befco brand now has a mulching kit. Downside is that the list price for the 60" is $2000 and the mulching kit is an additional $280 or so. I might as well wait another week for the 54" MMM to come in, sounds like the blades are finally ready for shipping. After the first report of the blades failing an OSHA inspection, now the story is that it failed from a Patent infringement. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Oh well, the dealer let me borrow a 48" Befco rear mower. Pretty cool rig. Just not sure if I want to spend the $2000 for its 60" brother.

skivt

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1*OK, you just got me all excited about a rear mower. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
2*I really do not want the mower on when I use the loader and this would make it easier to remove.
)</font>
=======
1* One advantage of a rear mower is you can trim closer along ditches and embankments.
2*What are you going to use for ballast to hold doen the rear when using the loader?

 

[skivt]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
=======
1* One advantage of a rear mower is you can trim closer along ditches and embankments.
2*What are you going to use for ballast to hold doen the rear when using the loader? )</font>

1 - Goodpoint on the reaching out on the embankments. I did notice this using the rear mower I had for demo. I was also able to reach under some low hanging branchs.

2 - I currently have weight tires but this is not enough. I am planning on building a weight box. The mower works great for weight but sticks out a long ways so it is hard to maneuver.

Good points,

skivt

 

[skivt]

I am still waiting for the MMM to arrive so I have had more time with the RFM. After driving a Wheelhorse with MMM for 20 years, I have to say that I prefer the MMM. For me it is more natural and allows you to just drive. With the RFM, I need to keep looking back. When I go over a big change in elevation (edge of leech field) the back RFM wheels come off the ground.

Time will tell but I believe I will keep the MMM I originally ordered. It does have 6 mulching blades so there is an element of COOL. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif