Brush Hog vs MMM

John_B32 · Jul 20, 2005

I recently bought a 3 acre piece of property in Southern California and plan on getting a tractor, soon. However, in the meantime I've opted to rent a tractor for a few days to clear the land. I rented a TC30 with a 4’ brush hog.

Here's what I discovered with the rental...because my property is all rolling hills, with lots of little terraces cut into them, I found it difficult to work with the brush hog. I had to constantly adjust the height of the brush hog. This became very tiring after a while.

So, here’s my question…now that I’ve got all the weeds mowed down, can I use a MMM to mow (I’m assuming it would be much easier to handle)? If so, what height weeds can a MMM handle?

Oh yeah, at this point I’m thinking about getting either a B7510 or B7610.

755inNY · Jul 20, 2005

I used to mow my 3 acres of pasture with a brush hog. When I first got the property is was very over grown. Now I mow with the MMM. I find it much more convenient. I let the grass/weeds grow at least knee high before I mow (about once per month). How high you want to let the weeds grow depends on how high you want to cut. I typically cut at around 5 inches. I'm barely dropping the MMM. It works well.

Jeff

MikeFromVA · Jul 21, 2005

I agree with Jeff. I mow my field with my MMM without much problem. I like to keep it under a foot high but it can handle higher...

have_blue · Jul 21, 2005

I've seen MMM's cut knee-high grass just fine, but you may have to slow down a bit. They are best for fields that have hills, levees, large trees, and other "features" to mow over and around.

Keep in mind that a MMM tends to make a dedicated mowing machine of a tractor. It doesn't pop on and off as easily as a rear finishing mower or brush hog, and tends to get in the way while doing other tractor work.

greg_g · Jul 21, 2005

( because my property is all rolling hills, with lots of little terraces cut into them, I found it difficult to work with the brush hog. I had to constantly adjust the height of the brush hog. This became very tiring after a while.)

Respectfully, this sounds like operator error. When hydraulics and toplink are properly adjusted, the mower should "float" through all but the most radical of dips and rises. You shouldn't even have had to turn around in the seat.

I'm speaking from personal experience with both types on ground similar to that you describe. MMMs used in the role of a rotary cutter usually require multiple passes to "clean up" what they didn't get cut the first/second/third attempt(s). Gauge wheels and a nose roller are mandatory on MMMs when mowing property full of dips and rises, options which can increase the purchase price significantly. Without, you risk high centering the blades and/or scalping - when one or more tractor tires leave the level plane.

Rent that rotary cutter again, but this time get it adjusted correctly. Light duty rotary cutters are much less expensive than finish mowers - particularly midmounts - and they're a helluva lot easier to dismount when you don't need'em. And you usually only need one pass to get the job done with a rotary cutter. Fuel is expensive, and time is money.

//greg//

theboman · Jul 21, 2005

If it's only grasses and there's no rocks, stumps, etc a MMM will work fine. If there's objects I'd go with a rotary cutter... Do the math, damage a $1000 MMM or a $600 rotary cutter.
The MMM is delicate, the rotary more than likely has a stump jumper.

I have a B7500 with a 4' rotary cutter and it'll cut anything I run over, back over...

hbaird · Jul 21, 2005

Could someone please tell me what a MMM is?
Harold

nasdaqsam · Jul 21, 2005

( Could someone please tell me what a MMM is?
Harold )M=Mid, M=Mount, M=mower

crown · Jul 21, 2005

I tend to agree with Greg, rent the cutter again and play with the 3 point adjustment. Unless you plan on these 3 acres becoming lawn and mowed on a weekly basis, I would opt for a brush hog, keep the blade sharp and you will be surprised how good a cut it will give.
Good Luck with your tractor purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif