Mowing Any mowing with a 3320/72"MM with loaded R4's?

orlo · Aug 20, 2006

Hi:

I got my 3320 but the deck wasn't in yet so the dealer lent me an 84" Woods RFM. I'm running the large R4's unloaded. It actually cuts nice but is pretty heavy. So heavy that it caught me by surprise when I needed to use 4wd to avoid spinning going up a short but steep hill on part of my property. Additionally when going this same slope (the first time) I actually thought I had slipped into neutral since the tractor all of a sudden flew down the slope (again, not very far). What happened is that the mower 'pushed' the tires and made them spin/slip faster than their speed over the grass leaving slight skid marks. Also I had left the bucket on that probably lightened up the rear when I went downhill.

I never had this problem with my 2305 (loaded tires) mowing. I have had it happen for a few feet on the 2305 when pulling a trailer down hill in 2wd.

Also, during the entire 5 acres of mowing the only time I left marks (other than these skid/spins) with the R4's was with the front ones and only when turning extremely sharp (sharper than I should be) so I'm very impressed with these tires as far as not damaging turf goes.

Question:
1. Does the deck add much weight to the rear wheels? (I'm guessing
the 7 iron 72' deck has got to weigh over 400lbs).

2. Does anybody mow with the large R4's loaded with the 72" MMM?

I'd love to get the added traction (that I didn't know I'd miss) by the loaded tires but don't want to damage the turf. I can always try (when I get the 72" deck) mowing with some ballast on the back but figured I'd ask.

Thanks in advance.

BloomingtonMike · Aug 20, 2006

Not sure if I have posted for you before or not so since I mowed 5 hours this weekend I thought I could post. I have the original R4s. Just so you know there is only 1" of difference in the larger vs smaller R4s on the 3320. I also do NOT have them loaded and I DO own the 7iron MMM.

I mow grades with this setup.
The MMM adds significant weight to stabilize the tractor and it is a perfect complement to your 3320. You are going to love it.

The issues you faced were that the 3320 is rated for a 60" Heavy Duty motor rear mower, expecially on grade with no front weights!

I can mow my alfalfa field, tall grass, tall (10') weeds, etc all with the 7-iron MMM. It mows beautifully and I think the 3320 is the perfect machine for it.

orlo · Aug 21, 2006

Thanks. Also, I don't have any weights on the front but do have a 300CX loader so the front wheels lifting wasn't an issue. The loader + the bucket has got to be 700-900lbs or so.

I am looking forward to getting the MMM. The rear finish mower was great for the open areas and actually did a pretty good job. but I had to be very, very careful doing the tight spots to not swing that big tail mower and hit anything.

dmp437 · Aug 21, 2006

Question:
1. "Does the deck add much weight to the rear wheels? (I'm guessing
the 7 iron 72' deck has got to weigh over 400lbs)." On my 4310 the 72" MMM adds 410 pounds. Figure half that is on the rears since the deck is suspended from the tractor frame.

2. "Does anybody mow with the large R4's loaded with the 72" MMM?" Yes, all the time. My rears are loaded with RimGuard. What I find is that the front tires cut the turf worse when the lawn is wet than the loaded rears do. The loaded rears really help with stability when mowing on an angle (road side ditches for example) and allow you get the maximum capacity out of the front loader.

friedlake · Aug 26, 2006

I have a 2520 and am getting the tires loaded on Monday. Not just to stabalize the 46 BH but also to add some beef when digging and grading. I believe the added weight will just be under 400lbs. So I am sure you will be adding another 500lbs if you load your tires. I don't think you will be disappointed adding weight. Do a search there is lots of threads on load tires!!

good luck