3PH finishing mower or belly mower?

[ovrszd]

I would answer, same width, rfm will be superior.

 

[Mattsy Fergy]

I'm still in a quandry. Looking at tractors, and trying to save a little cash. Seems there are plenty of used tractor/loader or tractor/mower combo's out there, but not many with both, and prices for used are just 3 thousand or so less than brand new, where you get good financing and the full warranty. I hope they will negotiate on used better, but it seems they would rather sell new. Used MasseyFerguson MMM's seem non-existent, but RFM's are plentiful and at decent prices, so I may go with a new tractor/loader and used RFM. I won't need the mower for a few months, so a MMM might pop up at a decent price.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

Thanks. My "yard" is mostly field, which grows tall and heavy in some areas and sparse in others. It's actually a reclaimed gravel pit, lots of clay.
I have just a small area of real yard, and I don't really care much about appearance, I just want to get it cut so I can get on to what I consider more important things.
I have a 54" mower now, and I want the 60" to cut the time down some. The FEL will allow me to fill some ruts, and smooth things out a bit.

In that case, you might be better of with a rotary cutter aka as bush hog.
The mmm needs a level ground to do a nice finish...if you have ruts, it will not be happy.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

I currently have a Simplicity Prestige with a 54" belly mower, which does a good job, it rides on rollers, a row across the back and a couple others on front.
Simplicity is supposedly recognized as the best cut for tractor mowers.
My original question was how does a suspended belly mower cut, in comparison to a 3ph mower? I assumed all the subcompact tractors were suspended.
Local JD dealer has a used 1023e with loader and 3ph mower, for a reasonable price, which was why I asked.[/QUOTE

The MF GC series mmm are all mounted on 4 gauge wheels and follow the ground + 1 anti scalp front roller...they are not a suspended type.
The quality of finish is very good.

 

[CADplans]

I'm still in a quandry. Looking at tractors, and trying to save a little cash.
and prices for used are just 3 thousand or so less than brand new, where you get good financing and the full warranty.

Buying used shocks me,, most dealers are WAY overpriced on used,,,
I guess there are just too many "Barefoot Pilgrims" walking onto the lot,,
with a fat checkbook!!

I lucked out, and got the perfect tractor,, 2013 year model, for 1/3 of what it sold for new to a dairy farmer.
I could add a loader and mower, and still be below half, but, I do not want a loader.

The same dealer had the 300-400 hour machines priced only $1-2K below new.
One I looked at sold within a week, the other was a consignment, the owner took it back.

Craig's List is the place for good pricing,, but,, do not hesitate,,,
someone will snap it up, if it is a deal,,,


(NOTE: Barefoot Pilgrim was the term car dealers used in the 1960's for customers that paid full price for a car)

 

[AxleHub]

I'm still in a quandry. Looking at tractors, and trying to save a little cash. Seems there are plenty of used tractor/loader or tractor/mower combo's out there, but not many with both, and prices for used are just 3 thousand or so less than brand new, where you get good financing and the full warranty. I hope they will negotiate on used better, but it seems they would rather sell new. Used MasseyFerguson MMM's seem non-existent, but RFM's are plentiful and at decent prices, so I may go with a new tractor/loader and used RFM. I won't need the mower for a few months, so a MMM might pop up at a decent price.

Mattsy

1. Of course the dealers would rather sell new units than used ones. . They have quotas to fill and used equipment typically doesn't have the same invested dollar I it that new equipment does. New equipment has a "perceived shelf life" also with used does not.

2. Let's say you are looking at a new mf gc1700 series unit. Not only are you offered cheap financing and a full warranty. . but also you can get very very cheap insurance coverage from agco that is almost unbelievable compared to any other options. In addition since mid to late 2014 models you gain a superior gel capability than prior and if you purchase a gc1710 or 20 you get a superior backhoe than prior too.

3. Now a Rer finish mower unit is a fine unit for some conditions but a belly movers gives you many advantages. It has "centered weight" rather than extended weight. My mulched mom is 235 lbs centered directly in the tractor between all wheels. . . this it is more stable on hillsides and hills (up and down). It cuts prior to rear wheel tracking so the lawn is better cut.

4. A Rear finish mower is also not as good cutting a washboard lawn because it can't follow the landconture like a belly mower can because it's positioning is rearward of the tractor. Now if your lawn is golf course smooth and flat. . Then each cutter is comparable. But then you still have to address maneuvering close to walls and obstructions. . Where a belly mower will again be an advantage.

5. If your plan is to cut tall grass. . . then a brush/bush hog cutter will be a choice. My Massey dedicated mulched has 6 blades and can handle 7 inches of thick bluegrass or 9 inches of rye or fescue . . But handles 5 inches of bluegrass like a reel mower for appearance. And my mulched has 4 castor wheels plus a lead roller and 16 inches of hidden trailing rollers. And as a belly mower it cuts a full 54 inches wide yet the max width of the entire deck is 55.5 inches because there are no chutes and nothing fly's out to hit house, dog, or garden.

6. Now back to your 'saving cash" concept. Yes a used unit might save you 10 to 15% . . However you won't find a used mulching me deck or less likely to find a 95 model loader or 65 model hoe. And the new unit financing when combined with option packaged rebates not only lowers the price but gets financed along with the cheap rates for any of 5 or 6 Agco lengths of time.

My point is not to claim new is the only choice or mom is the only choice. . but you have to evaluate the whole package along with your desires. I knew after sitting on the test model for 60 seconds that I wanted a GC1715 personally instead of a gc1705 because the prices were very close together and even though I didn't have a lot of money I wanted 2.5 HP more and that wonderful seat. . because I was going to be with this tractor a long time.

What am I suggesting. . Crazy stupid huge deals are the exception which can move a person differently. But other than a crazy huge steep discount . . Buy an apple if you want an apple. . Buy an orange if you want an orange but don't buy till you know which because you can't compare them.

Just my humble opinion (and be prepared to discover you might later want forks or a grapple for many uses not expected) lol.

 

[DK35vince]

4. A Rear finish mower is also not as good cutting a washboard lawn because it can't follow the landconture like a belly mower can because it's positioning is rearward of the tractor. Now if your lawn is golf course smooth and flat. . Then each cutter is comparable. But then you still have to address maneuvering close to walls and obstructions.

I'm going to disagree with this.
I've owned belly mowers and rear mount finish mowers, and in my opinion rear mount mowers follow the contour of the ground every bit as well as the belly mower, and the quality of cut is very close to the same.

 

[4570Man]

I'd say a RFM follows a contour better. Their range of motion is farther than a MMM.

 

[Mattsy Fergy]

If I could find a pull behind, that might be the best, especially if I could offset it a bit to get the slope next to the ditch, without getting too close. It would follow the ground real good, and I can trim up close with the weed wacker.
My grass doesn't usually get over 6" or so, so a bush hog isn't needed.
I'll know a bit more about where I am after taxes, and still hoping to sell my Simplicity rather than trade it. That might take until spring.

 

[Mattsy Fergy]

I'm back. Just to rewind a bit, I have the Simplicity sold, should have cash in hand this weekend. Decided on the GC1705, FEL, 60"MMM, turf tires. Dealer automatically loads tires when purchasing a FEL. Should have it in a week or so.
Thanks to all for advice.
I will be looking for a sickle bar mower for my ditch.