Any do's and don'ts for a rear finish mower?

[savageactor7]

Also newbie question but is it OK to go in reverse when the rear PTO is engaged and cutting grass?

Oh yeah, that's the great thing about that mower...back right up under those orchard trees.

On a tight 'U' turn I lift it up a tad and slow down too.

We've got the 72" RM 600.

 

[windy acers]

The stableizer bars are about 1+1/2 inch flat bars a little longer than the lift arms and mount under the fender on a u bolted angle iron with with a pin just like on a impliment. They go on the outside of each lift arm from under the fender to the impliment pin to create an A shape in reverse on each side.I have bought them from tsc but i am not shure about the angle iron.The fords I have had them on when I bought them but they are definentally a add on . LOOK MOM AND MR. FLICK NO CAPS!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[mixup]

A few more suggestions:

-Make sure that the PTO shaft has enough telescopic travel for full up and full down. Too long and you could damage your PTO, too short and the shaft could come apart while spinning.

-Make sure the toplink has some form of pivot to allow for ground following.

-I originally set up my RFM as rigid as possible to my 3PT so there was no side to side sway. I have since found that a little play side to side ( 3" left / 3" right +/-) is more forgiving when trying to mow close to stuff, but this techique takes some getting used to.

-I lost a lynch pin from the top of a wheel spindle while mowing along side a row of evergreens. This problem didn't come to light until later in a different part of my yard when I lifted the mower to make a sharp turn and the wheel and some of the spacers fell off. Later I got to hunt down the other spacers and lynch pin with a flashlight.

 

[Runner]

Not necessarily a do or don't, but I have found that removing the rear chain guard allows more even dispersal of clippings when you're mowing tall grass. This isn't an issue when just doing regular mowing, but is something to remember if you get in a bind and have to mow extra tall grass.

I have a Frontier GM1072R, which is the same as a Woods RD7200 with the optional rear chain deflector, but I would assume any rear discharge mower would act the same way.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Getting used to the geometry is interesting. The things swings out behind you like a tail. Learning to anticipate takes a bit. I think the RFM works best when the obstacles are least. That said, you will enjoy it. Wear ear protection. I use my iPod and Sony ear canals.

I could back up with mine. Got to have the chains (keeps) cinched up tight or it waddles.

Not from nothing but, did you know that the iPod can be very damaging to your ears. Headphones of any sort that transmit sound can be detrimental.

Hey, I am just the messenger.

 

[bp fick]

Not from nothing but, did you know that the iPod can be very damaging to your ears. Headphones of any sort that transmit sound can be detrimental.

Hey, I am just the messenger.

Ah, yup... didn't say that right. no iPod, just the headset FROM the iPod. Replacing the loud sound of the mower with a loud sound of iPod would, of course, be just as bad. I merely use the ear plugs to block the sound. It works very well on planes with crying babies too!!!

 

[AJE]

Ah, yup... didn't say that right. no iPod, just the headset FROM the iPod. Replacing the loud sound of the mower with a loud sound of iPod would, of course, be just as bad. I merely use the ear plugs to block the sound. It works very well on planes with crying babies too!!!

I use an Ipod while I'm mowing underneath of a set of earmuffs... that way the music is quiet, I'm not trying to blast the sound over that of the mower.

 

[RoyJackson]

I just use ear plugs. Music would be cool, but I like to hear well enough or not be distracted to ensure nothing is going wrong with the tractor or implement.

 

[dangerdoc]

So I just picked up a Woods RD60 rear finish mower. I wanted to go with the MMM but got a great deal on the RFM. So this being the 1st time I ever used a RFM are there any do's or do not's when using this type of mower?

If you smell burning rubber, stop what you are doing. That smell is your belt and they are expensive to replace. Usual culprits are too wet or too high grass.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you smell burning rubber, stop what you are doing. That smell is your belt and they are expensive to replace. Usual culprits are too wet or too high grass.

Or a new belt adjusted too tightly.