2920 with 72inch MMM

[Lindy]

How do you find the extra weight when removing / installing on the tractor?

No significant difference really. They're both kind of clumsy to move around -- they don't always go where you want them to when you push. I have a blacktop driveway, so it's not been too hard to move either one of the mowers underneath the tractor (I pop up the front end with the loader -- don't use the "drive-over" feature). I don't know, maybe it would be more of an issue on a softer surface or gravel...

I asked about the cost of the 72" when buying and the difference was just too much at the time - was more than half the cost of the 60" mower itself. Did you get a reasonable trade in price?

Yea, this was more of an issue. Since I'd used the original 60" deck for a while, I took a bath on the trade-in. I had to give something like another $1200 IIRC for the upgrade. The dealer had to come and get my tractor, uninstall the old deck, and install the new deck. Probably could have saved some money if I did that myself. Unfortunately, I didn't ask for an A/B comparison on my package price when I originally bought the tractor/FEL/MMM. That would be a better indicator to go by.

I justified it by knowing I'm going to keep the tractor for a long time and use the mower for many, many hours. Amortizing the extra expense over the life of the tractor made it hurt a little less. And, it made me happy :laughing:

One thing I do notice about the difference between the decks: the 72" is definitely heavier rolling on the ground than the 60", and I think it leaves more ruts in soggy/muddy areas than the 60" deck did. Another small thing: the 60" deck left more "patterning" in the cut grass than the 72" deck does. IIRC, it has a couple of wider anti-scalp rollers that push the grass down in a particular pattern. The 72" deck does not show this effect.

 

[robininni]

I started with the 60" MMM on my B3030, but quickly went up to the 72" RC72-30B.

The extra foot makes it easier to mow around fence lines and get closer to obstacles. Plus, mowing the pasture goes a little faster (diesel is expensive). It's great for flat areas, but I probably wouldn't recommend it if you have a lot of slopes, hills and uneven areas to maintain. The extra width hurts in that case.

When you say "mowing the pasture", how much acreage are you mowing? I am interested in the same setup you have (B3030 with 72" MMM) but wasn't sure how it would handle clean and clear pasture land (as opposed to using a rotary cutter). I would like the cleaner cut of the MMM if it works well for this.

Thanks!

Rob

 

[Lindy]

When you say "mowing the pasture", how much acreage are you mowing? I am interested in the same setup you have (B3030 with 72" MMM) but wasn't sure how it would handle clean and clear pasture land (as opposed to using a rotary cutter). I would like the cleaner cut of the MMM if it works well for this.

Thanks!

Rob

Well, it's not much of a "pasture" really -- I use the term loosely. It's only about 4 acres, no obstacles, gentle hills. It's really more like an extension of my yard. The previous owners of my place put a vinyl fence around that area for horses. It was a little overgrown when I bought this place, but after a few mowings with a bush hog, I got it under control. Since I've had it under control, a finish mower has been working fine out there. The area is a bit too rough to mow with my lawn tractor. That was one of the reasons to justify my purchase of the B3030.

Sorry, I don't have any experience mowing a REAL pasture. Just old farmland that's been turned into my little hobby pasture.