Mowing Flail mower or MidMount mower??

[Nuru]

Thanks, i have thought about trading up to a 60"MMM, but snce it cost ~ $2500, then ~ $180 for the mulch kit,, i figured that was close enough to the lowest priced flail mower. Now the 60" does provide more low center of gravity operation due to its 300lbs weight and it position on the tractor and that was a thought /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. but I have heard the flail will give a better look and so I am considering getting one and keeping my 54" or trading it in to slightly cut the cost of the flail. do you pick up the clippings at all? If so do you use the JD bagger for your unit or ?

 

[Nuru]

kennyD, i looked at gettign a rear bagging unit (a drag behind), but I really did not want to drive around sloped hills with that that heavy cart bag unit. Now if i could get a dealer to sell me the 60" with a baggger unit for say $3500, I might go for it, or sell me the JD bagger for the 54" for say $1000 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (not likely), i would seriously consider that as that is the most convenient way to handle this as far as storage and driving around. But that is why i am askig everyone for their inputs as there is a lot of solid experience in these newsgroups and I have been given very good advice many times. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nuru]

keeney, i have actuaqlly used the techniques you described at my last house and that took longer that I have time to do thing now, so that is why I am looking at a one shot solution if I can pull it off. From memory, i think JD rates their 54" MMM at 1 acre per hour and the 60" MMM at 1.1 acre per hour. Like I mentioned in other recent posts, I have looked at adding a bagger to my equipment but that it costed too much when I looked at it ($4500), and that stopped me cold, $1000 and yeah that seams reasonable but when I checked (2000, 2001), it was way too high for me! But I have not checked recently.

 

[Nuru]

I have a 54" with a mulch kit, but either i need to get it refurbished or it is a little too slow for the 1 acre, but hey, it could be that I need to do work on my 4100 and the mower deck and then it might be fine.

 

[Nuru]

You know i don't know of the newer 60"+ MMMs on the newer JDs will fit on my 4100? I don't think so but If I could get a mulching 72" on my tractor, that might be one way to look.

 

[orlo]

Hi:

I have a 2305 with a 62" mower and mow 5 acres in less than 1hr 30 mins but most of that is wide open (2900rpm) in high range doing about 9mph. I'm fortunate that the ground is dead level smooth, and long (A 900'+ run then I turn) for the most part.

I don't bag every time but when I do I pull a 6hp Cyclone rake behind the mower. It sucks up everything but I need to empty the (300gal?) bag 6-10 times (or more) per mowing and emptying can take a while if the grass is damp, etc. for 1-2 acres it would probably be perfect and for leaves it's great. They have a mount adapter that fits on the 3 point hitch. DR (Out of Vermont) sells a hard side unit now that would probably empty a lot easier.

I basically try to mow often enough that I Probably only bag every month to 2 months. Except for leaves.

I've also looked at the Mat Coll/Dump kit (Not avail yet for the 2305) but the price seems very high - The ability to dump from the seat sounds like a great feature though.

I may try the mulch kit if it's not too much or long term a Flail mower may be an option for me.

 

[Nuru]

orlo, this is quite interesting. i got off the line with a dealer today and the 2305 and the 2520 came up, as on occassion i think about trading mine in. He advised me that the 3 bag collection units ($2175) and the Hydraulic Dump Collection units ($4900) are still available for the 4100. His advice also wa to stick wit the 54" deck as he stated that you get more scalping with the wider decks on slopes and uneven surfaces. So for instance if I get a wider deck such as a 72" flail, I may run into more issues with maintenance with it and with the wider mower decks, more scuffs. Your situation seems to allow for a flail with no problem as it is flat. This property has sloes. However if they grade it fairly smooth, then I don't have the issue I might have if they don't. Iwill ask for a smooth grade as much as possible, and see how far they go for me. The price of the 3-bagger is not outside of my range, the Hydraulic unit is a little rich for me, but, man it would be convenient! - maybe I find a used unit? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Does anyone have an idea how fast you can go with a flail mower? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[joes_427_vette]

I have a 6' flail mower that I bought used for a couple hundred. The gearbox was run out of oil so I replaced it with one from a hay conditioner. I haven't got the ratio fast enough but for 5" or less grass it shreads it like no tomorrow. It appeared to cut and disperse the clippings alot finer than the mmm. The roller goes full length so no scalping involved. Most of where I cut is pretty smooth. I want to gear it up the 3-1 it was origionally ( approx 1650 rpm ) at the cutter and it will work just fine with the 4110. It seems to cover ground at an amazing rate plus a faster than mowing speed. If you can find one at a reasonable price you won't be disappointed.

 

[bigpete]

Sheesh, Nuru. A flail mower for 1 acre of finish mowing? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Your 54" deck is the perfect size. I can't imagine a 4100 with a 54" deck taking more than 45 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Get a new set of blades and keep it scraped. If you mow with high RPMs, mow high, and mow once a week, you should have no problems at all. If you are having problems, check your belt tension and sharpen your blades. If you want to send me the cash you are about to lay out, I'll keep it for a year and send it all back to you with a few extra bucks just in time for next Christmas /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bigpete]

I've never picked up grass on my <4 acres of turf with my 60" and mulching kit. I aerate once a year. Mowing takes me just under two hours with the 4110.