Belly mower vs 3-point finish mower

[Sodo]

It seems MUCH easier (and cheaper) to attach a 3-point finish mower than a belly mower.
These 3-point hitch (finish) mowers roll on four casters, same as many of the belly mowers.

3-point mower.
Here's a pic from Titan Attachments website. Price: $1617.00

3-point hitch mower R&R is substantially easier, quicker.

Has anyone compared both?

The 3-point finish mowers don't seem to be very popular.

 

[brewdog]

I’ve had a belly mower on one of my New Holland Tractors and it was constantly getting hung up things. The belly mower did a good job mowing but the maintenance and removal were miserable. I bought a woods finishing mower and will never go back to a belly mower.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have both. Belly (finish) 72" mower came with my JD1070. Barely fits under it. Negates use of the 3 pt hitch. Takes time to install and remove, best done on a smooth concrete surface. Not the best location to service blades or for cleaning it. Side discharge only, not the best cutter for very tall grass, weeds, or leaves. Rear mowers come a lot wider if you have the power. Can take some study to get around fences, trees, and buildings. I only used a 2 pt hookup with a chain. On and off in a minute. Comes in side or rear discharge versions.

But I quit all those options and went with a front mower which can handle 72" side discharge finish, 76" rear discharge (for the very tall stuff), a broom for snow, and even my PTO generator. Easy to clean and service blades. As a dedicated machine, it's ready to go in a moments notice. Has a steering wheel. Can be run by anyone.

 

[dodge man]

John Deere has an Auto Connect system for the mid mount mowers on its smaller tractors. It’s pretty quick and painless and as quick as a rear finish mower hook up.

I had a Kubota BX before my JD2025r and it was a bit of a pain. The pto hookup was sometimes easy and other times frustrating.

 

[anomad]

I love my rear finish mower. I have a Kubota B2601 and a 6 foot land pride rear discharge. Very nice to mow with. You can sneak it around to avoid weed eating and get under trees or down banks. Nothing is perfect of course. A 6 footer is pretty heavy for the B and I have to use 4wd almost all the time. That also makes it an excellent counterweight for using the front end loader.

I wouldn't buy anything from Titan Attachments. They are importers of stuff at the lowest possible price point. That isn't for me. You can find good American made used finish mowers for very reasonable prices.

 

[Sodo]

Woods mowers are something like $3,000 used - $5,000 new. Betsco is $2000 new, probably not american-made. Mechmaxx is $1900.

A front mower thats visible, and cuts before the wheels knock it down makes a sense. Like a belly mower that attaches to a bucket. Hmmmm very long driveshaft. Is a driveshaft that long even feasible? I don't think I've ever seen a front mower. There must be a significant reason they're not generally available tractor attachment.

 

[anomad]

Used Finish Mowers

Finish Mowers

www.messicks.com

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I have a belly mower on NH TC29D, and it is a PIA to change, that is until I figured out I could lift front end off ground with bucket. That made it much easier for me. I do like my flail mower too though.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Woods mowers are something like $3,000 used - $5,000 new. Betsco is $2000 new, probably not american-made. Mechmaxx is $1900.

A front mower thats visible, and cuts before the wheels knock it down makes a sense. Like a belly mower that attaches to a bucket. Hmmmm very long driveshaft. Is a driveshaft that long even feasible? I don't think I've ever seen a front mower. There must be a significant reason they're not generally available tractor attachment.

No, it doesn't go on a tractor, it's a dedicated machine, some can add other specialty attachments to them ... https://www.kubotausa.com/products/mowers/front-mount-mowers

Generally a mid mount mower on a tractor is more manageable in tight spots, but are tractor specific, a rear finish mower can be used on most any brand, as long as it has the same category 3 point hitch and PTO, they can be backed under low hanging branches ...

 

[duffer]

I've had a 3 pt finsih mower for 8 years, mowing 10 acres of turf once a week. Works just fine, easy to hook/unhook, and today I got the first part that I need to replace on it. A pully.

Mine is an 84" 3 blade PTO made by Sicma (Italian). Supposedly one of the largest mfr's of finish mowers. My tractor is a 38 hp and has no trouble pulling/running it.