Finish Mower

[greg_g]

While your sharpening blades, there are several other things you can also do.

And make dang sure that - after sharpening - you balance the blades before bolting them back to the spindles. It's a lot less work than replacing bearings or whole spindles down the road.

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

Odd that it doesn't have front wheels, but I guess there is a reason for it.

Yup. that's cuz it's not all there. From what I can see of the 272 on the John Deere site, that mower is only compatible with selected JD models AND the JD iMatch AutoHitch system.

See John Deere Utility Tractor Attachments and Accessories

//greg//

 

[Runner]

The JD 272 is all there. Here is a pic of a guy's 262 from this site.
In some ways, I'd like to have a RFM like that because it puts more weight on the rear of the tractor (half the weight of the mower, at least) which would be helpful for traction purposes. On the other hand, you are relying totally on that one little anti-scalp roller in the middle instead of on all four corners like you would have on a regular RFM.

 

[firemanpat2910]

I found a set of solid tires at Home depot for a dolly, or hand cart that were the correct outer diameter.They were like $9.00 each, made my own little axles with bushings, not to percise, just lets me replace the bushing( if I catch it in time) instead of the whole wheel assembly.

 

[greg_g]

The JD 272 is all there.

No, according to that John Deere link, the iMatch/AutoHitch is required to compensate for the otherwise missing front gauge wheels. Your photo link shows the 262 (261 maybe?) is attached to an iMatch, and - presumably - the AutoHitch.

Prosperity's profile says he has a JD2520. The website link I provided suggests the 272 mower is not compatible with the 2520. So does this one: Attachments for John Deere equipment

//greg//

 

[prosperity]

No, according to that John Deere link, the iMatch/AutoHitch is required to compensate for the otherwise missing front gauge wheels. Your photo link shows the 262 (261 maybe?) is attached to an iMatch, and - presumably - the AutoHitch.

Prosperity's profile says he has a JD2520. The website link I provided suggests the 272 mower is not compatible with the 2520. So does this one: Attachments for John Deere equipment

//greg//

Humm - maybe not such a good deal after all.......

Although I see what you are saying, I don't see why I couldn't use it with just the standard 3 point hitch on my 2520. I would think the 3 point hitch would carry the mower the same as an IMatch would - or am I missing something?

 

[prosperity]

I was wrong - sorry for any confusion....

After looking at photos of the 272 on the net, I noticed that some have the front gauge wheels, and some don't - maybe depends on the model year...?

Anyway, I made a phone call to who I am buying from, and they confirmed that the mower I am buying does have the front gauge wheels, as pictured here:

So, still hoping that it will hook up OK. I do have the Pat's hitch system on my tractor, so hopefully that would put the mower rearward some to avoid any interference.

 

[greg_g]

I do have the Pat's hitch system on my tractor, so hopefully that would put the mower rearward some to avoid any interference.

Glad you got that sorted. But this second photo still has me wondering how how the front cutting height is adjusted.

Since you mentioned having the PEC system on your lower lift arms, take particular care in making sure the PTO shaft is not too short. You want absolutely no less than six inches overlap between inner and outer shafts when the mower is on the ground in the working position. If it's too short, you might have to buy a PTO adapter. Not to worry though, they're only about twelve bucks.

If that 2nd photo is actually your new purchase, the solid gauge wheels will dispense with any worries about rolling the tires off the rims (not to mention no flat tires). The downside is that they make the deck bounce.

//greg//

 

[radman1]

I was wrong - sorry for any confusion....

After looking at photos of the 272 on the net, I noticed that some have the front gauge wheels, and some don't - maybe depends on the model year...?

Anyway, I made a phone call to who I am buying from, and they confirmed that the mower I am buying does have the front gauge wheels, as pictured here:

So, still hoping that it will hook up OK. I do have the Pat's hitch system on my tractor, so hopefully that would put the mower rearward some to avoid any interference.

I don't see why it won't work on a regular 3 pt. The design of that mower suggest it was really for use as a belly mower but then modifed/adapted for 3 pt use. Since the front wheels are not adjustable for height, I would just use the 3pt to maintain the correct height. My brother has an older rhino mower that has no front wheels and it works fine. Having front wheels does make the more float over the ground more evenly in most conditions.

 

[CDsdad]

If at all possible, I'd modify the front caster shafts and MAKE the front of that mower adjustable. May be as simple as removing the front wheels and replacing with a set of rear ones which have the shaft and getting a handful of bushings to adjust with.

I used a 4' with no front wheels once and it wasn't easy to keep from scalping. I'd also get solid tires. I don't have any bouncing with my 6' Landpride and it has solid tires. That must be an operator thing.