Anyone know if a Mid-Mount mower deck is available for the 3005

[tomd999]

Hi All,

Still searching for a new tractor/mower. I found a low hour 3005 2wd for a reasonable price however, the Deere non-current equipment page doesn't list a mid mower. I know I have have seen them listed in the past for the 770/790's and as the 3005 is a re-badged 790, I was hoping to see a listing.

That being said, any of the well connected Deere folks on here know if I could obtain the correct kits in order to get a Mid-mower for it and some idea of the cost?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[RoyJackson]

Does the 3005 have a mid-PTO? If so, look on both eBay and Craigslist. The 790s used a 60" MMM which, IIRC, was designated 262. I don't think there was a 72" MMM available. I do recall there were certain tire/wheel options that were not compatible with using a MMM on a 790. It's been quite a while, so I don't recall all of the details.
If the 3005 does not have a mid-PTO installed, there was a dealer installed kit (all the mid-PTO options for the 770 and 790 tractors were dealer installed) available.
Again, search on eBay...there are a few Deere dealers who have NLA (No Longer Available) inventories and do advertise on eBay.

The 790 could easily handle a 72" rear finishing mower...that might be a better option and very likely a less expensive option to consider.

Good luck!

 

[tomd999]

Thanks Roy,

I'm really looking for a mid mower setup. I'm currently using a 318 which is serving well but only has a 46" deck, which the size of the lawn combined with the elevation change, makes for some long days mowing after I put it off for as long as I can.

I have debated getting a 72" Mid for my cab tractor but that's way more weight than I want to drive over the septic system. The reason for my mid mower fixation is the overall length storing in the barn and the turning circle when cutting as I hope to off load the cutting duties to my wife and daughters from time to time and I can't picture any of them hooking up a RFM if I'm not around. I may end up going with a Imatch/Frontier 72" RFM but I'm also looking at a 2520/60D Mid setup which is more $ but may be the better option if I can't find the mid for the 3005.

Tom

 

[jd670]

The biggest mower deck that fits on the 3005 is a 60 inch. It's the same deck that fits the 670,770,790 and 3005. I don't have a model number to give you. I'll look thru some old catalogs that I have. Roy is correct, you'll find them on ebay and also the mid pto kits.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have debated getting a 72" Mid for my cab tractor but that's way more weight than I want to drive over the septic system. The reason for my mid mower fixation is the overall length storing in the barn and the turning circle when cutting as I hope to off load the cutting duties to my wife and daughters from time to time and I can't picture any of them hooking up a RFM if I'm not around. I may end up going with a Imatch/Frontier 72" RFM but I'm also looking at a 2520/60D Mid setup which is more $ but may be the better option if I can't find the mid for the 3005.

Tom

Are your wife and daughters going to be OK with a gear transmission?
I had a 790 before my 4400. Great tractor, and I am a gear guy....with one exception. The 2 range gear transmission has reverse high and reverse low. Reverse low is SLOW (snails race by you), but reverse high (at PTO RPM) was too fast for my mowing needs.
Also, remember the 790/3005 has a collarshift transmission...that means stopping to change gears.

 

[tomd999]

Hey Roy,

I'm not too worried about the trans and shifting, they both drive standards. What I'm more concerned about is swing when turning and properly attaching the PTO then setting the sway and top link length. The PTO shaft presents an "ewwww" factor being greasy and dirty. I think they will just slip in on the stub and hope it's all set rather than risk getting dirty to attach then verify it's locked in properly. If I make it too complex for them, the grass will never get done while I travel for work and I'll come home to foot tall grass all the time. If I had the space in the shed to store it with the RFM attached I wouldn't be concerned but I don't.

I don't know, the more I think about the 2520/2720 with a 62 or 72" deck I may just spend the extra few K and go that route but the ones I'm finding that are reasonable have 800 to 1200 hours on them and the 3005 I found has just under 70.

Tom

 

[yooper68]

Tom - I don't know anything about that model tractor you are looking at (can't keep up with all JD model# changes) but john deere parts will have complete breakdown of all mounting hardware if mmm is or was made for it. Also should be able to find a manual for the mmm that will show parts and detailed instructions for mounting. I just went through that research to get a 72" mmm (not drive over) for my 3520 cab tractor. Will be about $1400 total once I get rest of parts. As far as weight goes I'm not concerned as I occasionally have mowed lawn (and drain field) with 3520 & MX5 brush hog. I have also read that the 2305 is very good & fast for mowing and less $. Good luck with your search. You need to really do thorough research for these mower decks to get the proper one for the specific tractor. I called on many thinking they would fit but after asking enough questions found out would not work.

 

[RoyJackson]

Hey Roy,

I don't know, the more I think about the 2520/2720 with a 62 or 72" deck I may just spend the extra few K and go that route but the ones I'm finding that are reasonable have 800 to 1200 hours on them and the 3005 I found has just under 70.

Tom

Definitely low hours for the 3005!

Rather then another tractor, you might want to consider a zero-turn mower. If I was going to buy a machine pretty much dedicated to mowing, that's the route I'd go.

 

[tomd999]

Hey Roy,

Ya, the 3005 was a leftover purchased last year then the owner relocated for work soon after he purchased to a house in the suburbs and no longer can use it. (I have first dibs on it so he's waiting on me to get off my FA and let him know)

I have had 2 commercial zero turns in the last 10 years, a Cub Cadet "Tank" and Wright Stander, both lasted less than 3 seasons before the hydro and or wheel motors started going. The issue is my property is on a mountain and with the elevation changes and slopes, I have to mow up and down, compounded by the fact that I'm big, tall guy, take a big toll on those landscaping hydro systems that are designed for fast mowing on flat lawns by skinny college age kids, not on a mountain by an 'OFB" like me.

My 318 hydro is holding up well, they are known to be pretty bulletproof, even even then, I run synthetic fluid and change it 2 times a year trying to make it last as long as I can. This is why I really want to move to a CUT for mowing, they are built for pulling hard so slow going up hills with weight doesn't bother them.

Tom

 

[Jamming]

I have a 3005 set up with a 261 JD mower I bought used from a local craigslist ad. My wife uses it and hooks it up with no problems with 3 point links, ajusting is minimal if at all. Most implementations are the same I have found. The pto shaft is very easy to hook up on that mower. It has a large ring she can pull back with both hands to slid it on the output shaft. The swing is just a learning curve and not hard to learn. Its a side discharge and built like a tank I doubt it could be damaged from hitting a small tree. If the lower links are adjusted loose the mower follows more than swings. Great deck with a solid gear box if you can find one. The safety of the pto shaft of course can be rectified by a quality guard if your worried. Great gear tractor if you need a very low gear selection. The gear spacing is a bit wide as Roy mentioned. 4 gear low is slightly slower than first gear high, so I mostly mow in 4th low and it will still run at idle in 4th low without killing the engine. Stopping to change gears is not any problem for me. Its a little workhorse tractor and I have found that it does more tgan I expected. Good luck.