Mid mount mowers

[dieselscout80]

I wonder if a guy could take a MMM and mount it on the front of a tractor maybe from the loader (could NOT lift it much) and run it off the mid PTO?

It would be like a front mount mower (Kubota 2690 / Deere 1444 ect).

 

[czechsonofagun]

I love the MMM, but its a pain to install and I take off even the brackets for the winter.

 

[PhysAssist]

I love the MMM, but its a pain to install and I take off even the brackets for the winter.

I just use a ratchet strap to hold the lower arms up against the bottom of the operator's station so they're out of the way.

 

[majorwager]

Diesels

I am doing exactly that. Am taking the 6 ft mmm that I bought with the ford and mounting in on the kubota FEL, driven hydraulically. I mounted a hydraulic motor (2000) rpm to the original gearbox with universal joint coupler. . Mower was originally driven by tractor mid-pto. Fabricating QA frame so it will mount to loader like any other attachment. Mower will oscillate side to side by 25 degrees as well as front to back tilt with FEL remaing stationary. It is duplication of the bobcat skidsteer mount for their finish mowers. Will use stroke control clamps so FEL is always in the proper height podition, see photo.

 

[Tractorable]

The problem with MMM's is that they're A) proprietary, B) expensive, and C) eliminate ground clearance.

If you ever want to sell it, whoever buys it has to have the exact same tractor as you do, so since they're not universal it makes them next to impossible to sell.

Most MMM's cost $2-3K and for that kind of money you can buy a decent lawn mower which will be more maneuverable, lighter, and much better suited to mowing lawns.

If you use your tractor anywhere where you need ground clearance you have to remove and man handle the deck out from under the tractor. It's not as easy as dropping an implement off the 3pt.

 

[majorwager]

Tractorable,
Your points are all vadid. In addition, unless the mmm is at least a ft wider than tractor tread width, can't even mow close to an object. My 6 ft mower on a 5 ft tractor, provided only a 6 inch margin for side trimming. And still driving over grass with wide front tires before mowing. They are an implement that has exceeded its' usefulness, except for those folks who made the investment, and are determined to make them work.

 

[Code54]

Have had a rear finish mower, a zero turn and currently use a MMM (60" on a BX).
The MMM is by far the best for our property. We are way to hilly for the zero turn (slightly wet and you slide down the hill like a sled on snow), the RFM was a pain around the trees and tight spots, but the mid mount works great and is easy to trim with.

 

[dieselscout80]

Diesels

I am doing exactly that. Am taking the 6 ft mmm that I bought with the ford and mounting in on the kubota FEL, driven hydraulically. I mounted a hydraulic motor (2000) rpm to the original gearbox with universal joint coupler. . Mower was originally driven by tractor mid-pto. Fabricating QA frame so it will mount to loader like any other attachment. Mower will oscillate side to side by 25 degrees as well as front to back tilt with FEL remaing stationary. It is duplication of the bobcat skidsteer mount for their finish mowers. Will use stroke control clamps so FEL is always in the proper height podition, see photo.

Majorwager,

Do you have a thread on here where you are building it?

 

[majorwager]

Dieselscout80,
No build thread yet cause it is being done for me in a shop too far away to take progress photos. The shop doesn't take photos. The project will be done on the 13 th and I will pick it up the next day. That is the plan, they don't usually work on hobby projects. I will send you a PM with some photos so ck your in box after that date. The work will only take about 8 hours if that, but the shop works on it in between large projects so it is a piecemeal schedule,

 

[tmcj]

I guess it depends on your tractor set up for attaching and removing the MMM. On my Max 26xl it really isn't any worse than the FEL or BH. It only takes a few minutes to switch between them. I got into the habit of removing the lift arms for the MMM though if I'm doing any excavating type work where I may have limited ground clearance, and also for the winter. It was never an issue until one time I had a pin come out and the arm dropped and caught up underneath and ruined 2 hydraulic lines. Otherwise I really like having the MMM over anything else.

 

[Creamer]

Have had a rear finish mower, a zero turn and currently use a MMM (60" on a BX).
The MMM is by far the best for our property. We are way to hilly for the zero turn (slightly wet and you slide down the hill like a sled on snow), the RFM was a pain around the trees and tight spots, but the mid mount works great and is easy to trim with.

I guess you need a real ZTR with the right tires. I take my ZTR on slopes there is no way I would have my tractor on and it doesn't slide down. I hear this comment all the time and I get tired of the ignorance. A ZTR has a wider stance, lower CG, and is much more maneuverable - all characteristics that help you hold a slope - of course there are differences between ZTRs in these characteristics.

 

[Creamer]

I have had an MMM, an RFM, a rear steer front deck, and full ZTR front deck. The last was the most expensive but there is no comparison for mowing. It is faster, you can get much closer and under things for much less trimming, spend a higher percentage of your time mowing and less turning, have a better quality cut because you do not run over it first, can hold slopes better, and quicker on and off for pickign up those things you should have picked up before you started.

At my current property I have only had the last three. The 60" RFM took the longest because of all the turning (as you go around a tree the mower swings away from it), the 48" rear steer front deck mower took about half the time of the first but the drive train did not like the slopes very well. I traded it for the 60" ZTR and cut my mowing time by at least a third again and my trimming time by at least half. If you have fruit trees or other low bushes such as a lilac the ZTR sits you lower so you can get under them much better especially with the front deck.

 

[Code54]

I guess you need a real ZTR with the right tires. I take my ZTR on slopes there is no way I would have my tractor on and it doesn't slide down. I hear this comment all the time and I get tired of the ignorance. A ZTR has a wider stance, lower CG, and is much more maneuverable - all characteristics that help you hold a slope - of course there are differences between ZTRs in these characteristics.

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid from my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

Well said, thank you

 

[Creamer]

Wow - I guess my Hustler professional (full commercial) was not a "real ZTR". Funny thing is I sold it to a landscape company that has been running 10+ crews... Guess they don't know what a real ZTR is.....

Perhaps it is not "ignorance" but different situations! Been a lot of places where people show me their steep hills and think that is nothing and chuckle to myself. I sometime have lost hydro fluid from my vent pipe on my MX climbing hills while mowing due to the steepness. This is the pipe at the rear axle that comes up and forms an upside down J but the seat. That is when you know you are working on steep ground.

Anyway - I been there done that - the tractor is MUCH better on the slopes I deal with, sometimes even a 4x4 will spin out trying to go up them so I sure don't see how a ZTR is going to out climb a 4x4 tractor but ok.

Maybe ignorance is not know everyone elses situation and thinking there is only one answer to a question. I am simply giving information based on my use and experience, others may have different experiences.

There is no way on a sidehill that your tractor would not roll over (unless it is dueled) where I could take the Grasshopper due to its low CG and wide stance. If you are talking your MX you are also comparing a 50 hp tractor to 25 hp lawnmower which is not a very fair comparison. Furthermore unless you have Ag tires the grasshopper with AT101s will climb a steeper hill than your tractor on fresh cut grass with normal moisture. Turf and industrial tires tend to not have the best traction in that condition which is normal for mowing purposes. So yes if you want to compare a tractor frame equivalent to lawn mower the Grasshopper would easily handle more slope. Although I would venture to guess that other ZTRs that are not built as low to the ground would not do as well in this competition. A Hustler is a Mid Mount and they do not hold the hills sideways as well as the front mounts - I do not know about hill climbing ability of that configuration. Even a Grasshopper with turf tires will slip very easily and I have been sliding sideways with one and its slope climbing ability was a joke with those tires. (They were Turfmaster 2 which is supposed to be one of the more aggressive turf tires.)

 

[majorwager]

Perhaps the most important point is that each member should employ the equipment that works best for HIM. Each of us has differing operating techniques which may readily effect how well a particular type of mower operates.

Of particular interest to me is this inverted J tube that spews hydraulic oil. I intend to check if this exists on my MX? since I do operate on various grades and should be aware if machine is dumping oil.

There is a landfill in my town where ZT's mow a very steep grade that extends in a semi vertical plane well in excess of 250 ft in height. I would not be willing to operate any type of mower under those conditions but I don't like many amusement park rides either. Don't remember the brands but they were brown, and another yellow.

In attempting a slight degree of levity, this is a topic where persuasion is what is really lacking traction if not stability, so simply agree that members choose the machine best suited to their individual needs and requirements. If you believe that another member is committing a grievous operating error, just move on and smile to yourself that your opinion is far superior, or maybe not?

 

[Code54]

A little off topic but....
That breather I mentioned is on the left side below the seat if you are sitting on the tractor. Easy to miss.

 

[majorwager]

Code,
Having trouble w/ your assertion. The full level sight window is even with PTO shield. That vent tube is way above that point, Honestly, I believe the tractor would not be capable of losing oil from that tube without tipping over?

Could your reservoir be severely overfilled?

 

[mykleh]

was out in the garages yesterday so grabbed some pics while everything is quietly resting waiting for the snow to melt..

 

[Creamer]

was out in the garages yesterday so grabbed some pics while everything is quietly resting waiting for the snow to melt..View attachment 547950View attachment 547951View attachment 547952View attachment 547953View attachment 547954View attachment 547955

Not quite sure why this was posted on this thread but it is a solution to a project I am about to embark on. Thanks!