B2x20 MMM questions

[ChuckinNH]

I am still undecided about whether, or not I will finish mow with my B2620. I'm looking for input from users of the new drive over MMM's for this series tractor. How do they mow? How is the installation, and removal of the deck? Do those of you with backhoe subframes have trouble pinning up the deck? Any other input would be welcome, and appreciated as well. Thanks!

 

[Charlton John]

Chuck, I also have a 2620. When I purchased it (June 08) I also purchased the 60" MMM. I have roughly 2.0 open acres to mow some of which has mild slope. The day I received the tractor I mowed with it for about 15 minutes (1/4 acre) so this is all I can go by (I am sure you will get better replies w/ more mowing time/usage) What I can tell you is if storage is any issue for you than the drive over deck is a really nice plus. It was very easy to install/remove and first time doing both took 5 min. or less. Before this I mowed w/ a New Holland tractor (same size deck) that didnt have this feature and it was a bear to get the deck into position (I beleive they weigh close to 400lbs) so this also makes the drive over feature really nice The cut was actually very good and even without mulching blades cut the grass very fine (no visable discharge) I didnt remove my FEL in the short time I used the deck so when getting to my mild slopes I didnt at all feel comfortable on the turns and puckered a few times I am sure w/o the FEL it would have been a bit better.

But after quickly contimplating my situation ( 2k price, slopes, 2 acres of mowing, obstacles throughout the 2 acres and not wanting to remove the FEL everytime I mowed which is 1x a week) I decided that it really wasnt what I was looking for. I quickly called the dealer and he took it back for a full refund. I used the 2k towards a nice ZTR . I personally couldnt be happier w/ ,my desicion as I am a "grass geek" so it is much more manicured, takes me only 1 hr. as opposed to 2 hrs. to get done and mowing is actually pretty fun again w/ the ZTR. Plus for me I can leave my FEL on full time w/ 3pt attachements and dont have to constantly go through this hassle every week. If none of these things I described are issues for you than I think you will be happy w/ the product cut, and the drive over feature.

Couple more things to point out from previous threads here on TBN on these decks both positive and negative. Positive the deck stays fully suspended so you really dont have to remove to use the 3pt. Also provides extra stability if left on due to weight and lower COG. Negatives I have read (and briefly expirenced, hopefully others will chime in) the grass height adjusting knob they will install is not completly accurate and takes a lot of monkying around with to get close. The adjustment knob is very loose when not in lock position, almost to the point you think its going to fall off. Also they put a stopper under the tractor for the raising of the deck, what I noticed is this stopper (probably has a technical name) is a bar that runs from the underside of the tractor back to the 3pt linkage and this was digging like crazy into the one lower 3pt arm (cant remember what side) to the point of actually ripping through the metal on the 3pt arm. Probably not that big of a deal but thought I would point out.

Good Luck in your decision.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

I've got the 60" and I'd recommend this over the 54" so you don't have to get so close to things you're cutting around. I don't use the drive-over feature for installation or removal. They put some traction tape on the front edges for this purpose, but it looks like it won't stand the test of time. Besides that, there are screw lugs on the pulley covers that I fear might damage the tires. Having said that, it is easy to remove and reinstall the old fashioned way due to all the clearance underneath. The mower height is off by about 3/4". I'm getting 2.5" cut with the dial set on 3.25". I attribute this to my smaller bar/turf tires. I plan to review the setup before I reinstall it this Spring. Maybe my dealer didn't set it properly. I'm pretty happy with the cut I get. I have a bunch of uneven and sloped areas on my property so the cut quality can get a bit inconsistent there. The last minor gripe I have is the lift mechanism is connected to your left lower link and it cuts into it a bit. It handles thick and tall grass with ease. I got a set of Larry's mower axles and I would recommend them as this beast is not light.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You may have considered the Rear Finish Mower but in case you didn't I'll put a plug in for it. My first tractor was a BX2200 FEL and MMM 4 years ago, almost 5 now. I traded it after one year to a B7800 FEL and RFM. For me the RFM was great. Hook it up in a couple of minutes with the Pat's quick hitch and take off. Unhook in a couple of minutes and back to fel work. I still have the rfm and traded the B7800 to a L3240HST but also have a BX2350 MMM for my mowing so don't really use my RFM anymore. If someone has a BH and don't want to take it off then the MMM may be the better choice.

 

[radioman]

I have a BX series - its not really a hassle , but swapping just to have only one implement can be tiresome, not a chore if i do it all in same day. The BH comes off when I am not using it. Half of the time i leave the 60" MMM on when using the BH when I am positive I dont need the 48 inch clearance. I do tend to swap the fel on and off often in the same day as its the easiest implement to put on and off. I am not sure about your B series though, but i suspect you might find my opinions to be simalar to yours once you use it more. The 60"MMM mows pretty good - the only thing I wasn't used to was the amount of grass not being thrown out the chute. I think it gets chopped up before being thrown out. When i had a cheapo mower, I would see alot of grass thrown out the chute and if the grass was tall, it would ball up and clog. The kubota MMM doesnt do this. It got the power to cut and chop. the only thing I didnt like was how low the leaves would blow out , but gets chopped into finer peices and gets left behind. So this being said- If you have a need to pick up alot of leaves with the mower and windrow it- the kubota MMM is something less to be desired. Otherwise grasswise - it does what i need it to do - handle tall grass without cloggin, bogging down, cut grass so there no visable clippings left.

 

[BrierPatch]

I love the way my B2620 mows. The reason I got the 2620 is because I use it also to mow with and wanted a tractor with a MMM. I think it is just the right size for my needs. I need a manueverable and not too big tractor to mow with. I realize ZTR's have their place, but don't think they would handle some of the rougher places I mow as well. Simple tire size is a factor. Not to mention I really just don't need another tractor or want to store another. The ztr's also cost more than the MMM, some considerably more. I have never used a rear mount finish mower, but they just don't seem as manuverable as a MMM. The MMM on the 2620's is so easy to deal with. I do not drive over my deck. I turn the anti-scalp wheels sideways and roll it out from under the tractor (on concrete floor). The only thing is when you pin it up it is difficult to get the front pins in and out, but not to the point of frustration. I like having the MMM as extra ballast when I can for using the BH. I do wind row some times when I mow and it seems to work well, even with leaves. I have taken the plastic chute off since there is not a latch to hold it in the up position. Be very careful if you do this the blade is right there at the edge of the deck unlike my old Kubota with the chute up. I always remove the FEL when I mow, it is also so easy to remove and put back on (on level concrete floor). I have noticed that when making a sharp turn my outside front tire (R4's) will push a little thru the turn and rough/rip up the grass some.

To sum it up I think the 2620 with the MMM makes a great mower that is very manuverable and doesn't seem too big when mowing and mows wonderfully. And it is quick and easy to transform from mower to utility tractor. I am very pleased with the dual purpose functionality of my tractor.

 

[Jay4200]

I am still undecided about whether, or not I will finish mow with my B2620.

You want to finish mow with loaded R4s? Yeesh. Good luck with that.

JayC

 

[LBrown59]

1*New drive over mowers.

2*I didnt remove my FEL in the short time I used the deck so when getting to my mild slopes I didn't at all feel comfortable on the turns and puckered a few times .

3*swapping just to have only one implement can be tiresome.

4*I like having the MMM as extra ballast when I can for using the BH.
5*I have taken the plastic chute off since there is not a latch to hold it in the up position.

X X X X X
1*Back in the mid 80s when I almost bought a new Kubota B series; Kubota mid mount mowers were drive over mowers. The mid mount mowers aren't new just reintroduced.
2*I mow 90 percent of my 2.33 acres with a BX23 with a 60'' mmm.I have never had the FEL BH or MMM off .It works just fine for me .
3*Here is how I solved the swapping problem.

4*It helps protect the transmission fan also.
5*I just use a bungee strap to hold mine up .Easy to lift and lower . Works like a charm.

 

[ChuckinNH]

You want to finish mow with loaded R4s? Yeesh. Good luck with that.

JayC

I would guess that a B2620 with loaded R-4's weighs about the same as a B3030 without loaded tires, and a whole lot less than any L frame that you can also get a mmm for. On the other hand, I never said that would be the plan. My dealer has offered to swap out the tires I have for Turfs if I decide I want that. My Simplicity is over 1300 lbs with the deck, and has smaller tires....... I could be crazy, but I have run around my yard quite a bit with this tractor, and have done little damage so far. I have seen that my tractor will do more damage than a much lighter 4 wheeler when idling through the softer spots. Actually, my tractor is as it sits without the loader may weigh less than many ZTR's. This is some of what I mow.

Edit: I checked, and my B2620 weighs 1550 lbs, and the diesel ZTR's weigh 1700, so I probably do weigh a bit more with the loaded tires, but not much, and the tires are much larger diameter.

 

[jcaledon]

Chuck,

I have a B2620 with FEL, MMM, and Herd M-96 Spreader. I also have loaded turf tires. The mower is excellent. As you know, the mid range speed on the B is quite fast. The tractor turns very well given its size. Once you have the tires loaded, and the mmm deck on, it is fairly stable. The cut quality is excellent. I don't rip up my grass - it is fairly light on the lawn.

Many have commented on how they don't use the drive over feature. In my view, this is crazy. It is ridiculously easy to take the deck off and put it back on using the drive over feature. Given my prior experience with garden tractors, I was shocked (and relieved given the weight of the deck) at how easy it was. It takes less than 2 min, with no lifting or difficulties. The hardest part of the process is disconnecting the mid PTO from the mower.

The height adjustment on the deck is very easy to use. Also, there is a pin up feature that allows you to pin the deck up to allow more clearance when using the loader etc.

The only down side to this deck is that it is not easy to adjust/set up. My mmm was not set up properly when initially delivered. When I had my 50 hour service, I asked the dealer to adjust it correctly. They weren't able to do it and eventually had to call a Kubota rep in to do it for them. Even the Kubota guys had problems doing it. Once it is set up, you don't need to touch it again. I can now pin the deck up, and the height adjustment is somewhat accurate. I don't have the storage space for two tractors. So I got rid of my garden tractor. The garden tractor was much more stable on slopes, but it took me twice as long to cut the lawn as it does now. Even with the tighter turning radius of the garden tractor, and the benefits that this provides, the B is much faster because of the 60" wide deck, and the much faster ground speed. I don't slow down at all, even on the steepest of hills, when mowing. For the really steep spots, I bought a used Toro Proline walkbehind commerial mower - which for my purposes is the equivalent of a zero turn, but is not that much bigger in terms of storage space than a lawn mower would be.

The Larry's mower deck stands are excellent - and I highly recommend them. This will make life easier for power washing the bottom of the deck.