MMM vs Rear PTO mower

Erniel29 · Oct 25, 2005

I'm new to the tractor world and cant decide whether to pay for a 72" MMM or just go with a rear finish mower or Rotary mower. I have 23 acres fenced off in roughly 4 acres pastures, with about 10 feet between fence lines to mow also with 90 degree turns. Someone said that the MMM would be trashed by the pasture.

I'm planning on buying a B series Kubota probably a 3030 or 7800.

Thanks
Ernie

RoyJackson · Oct 26, 2005

There are finishing mowers for lawn type work. There are rotary cutters for field work.

So, are your pastures rough? If so, you would probably prefer a rotary cutter. If you're looking for a lawn type cut, you'd want a finishing mower.

Cutters aren't as expensive as finishing mowers and rear finishing mowers aren't as expensive as mid-mounts.

Let's assume a finishing mower can handle your work. You have 4 acre fenced in pastures. Let's also assume no trees or other obstacles in those fenced in areas.
If this case, a rear finishing mower would be the better choice. A mid-mount could not get as close to the corners. With a rear mower, you can back in to cut in a corner. The biggest advantage to a mid-mount is navigating around obstacles (trees and bushes, etc.). Since we working under the assumption that those pasture have few, if any trees and such, the advantage of the mid-mount is negated.
Since the rear finishing mowers are considerably cheaper to purchase then a mid-mount, I suggest a rear mower would be the way to go.
With approximately 5 parcels to mow (23 acres dived by four), I'd consider a bigger mower then 72". An 84" might be the way to go. You would want front weights for transporting that mower, by the way.

That's my opinion based upon the task you've described.

RalphVa · Oct 26, 2005

You might want to check out a flail mower. It doesn't stick out as far in back as a rear finish mower. Think it would take both the rough and smooth surfaces. Only drawback is POSSIBLY a little harder to sharpen the blades. However, it's probably a trade-off between removing 2 hard-to-remove bolts vs. a lot of easy-to-remove bolts.

Agri Supply has some on their site.

Ralph

Egon · Oct 26, 2005

MMM mowers may be handier for some jobs requireing tight turns.
They also take a little more time to attach or remove.
They also have a limited height of cut as compared to a rear mower.
Most are tractor dedicated and will have a subframe of some sort that stays on the tractor when the mower is removed.
An installed MMM mower will limit your ability to travel in rough terrain or use the loader.

They can be subjected to a little tougher jobs than grass but one must be selective and carefull when doing this.

My thoughts on The MMM. I have no experience with a rear mower. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Erniel29 · Oct 26, 2005

Thanks to all for your advice. I need to mainly maintain the pastures, so I think I'll go with a high quality rotary like a Bush Hog. I dont beleive the tractor I have in mind could handle an 82" mower with only 24HP at the PTO. Plus it would make mowing the couple of 1 acres pastures a little difficult.

Thanks
Ernie

demote · Oct 27, 2005

Ernie, mid-mounts are somewhat tractor specific so that would dictate the size of mower. Based on your described needs you probably don't want to go with a mower, rear or mmm but, as a mmm owner, should you ever need a really groomed look, the mmm will give the best look as it follows the contour of the ground better. Biased aren't I! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif But, as mentioned above, they are a bit more expensive and aren't a quick to attach and remove.

RoyJackson · Oct 28, 2005

"I don't believe the tractor I have in mind could handle an 82" mower with only 24HP at the PTO. "

My 790 has 24 HP at the PTO. It easily handles a 60" rear mount mower (which had been purchased with and used on a 17 PTO HP tractor). I've no doubt it could easily handle a 72" RFM.
For power, I think it could handle more then 72", but the three point hitch capacity would likely be exceeded by the weight or an 84" mower.

SWB · Oct 29, 2005

You might also consider a bigger tractor, i.e. more HP. For your size property those tractors seem a bit small. IMHO you are generally better off with a rotary mower for a pasture where you are not trying to get a lawn-like appearance. A larger mower with more HP will allow you to cut more in less time. Of course you have to balance that with the increased cost.