MMM vs RFM or Brush Hog

[DeerPark5]

Need advice on the best implement for mowing.

I recently purchased a place just north of Spokane where I will need to manage about 4.5 acres of field that was formerly in wheat. Its got weeds, wheat, and other grasses growing up, but no shrubs or saplings. There are no trees or obstacles in the field and over time we will plant some fruit trees, but otherwise, it will be pretty wide open. We will be fencing int eh perimeter and those will be long straight runs, with a few exceptions. The ground has got a slight slope to it and it relatively smooth and there are very few rocks if any. In the past, I've used a lawn tractor for mowing yard grass and thought I would do the same here. A dealer recommended the MMM for the field raised all the way up. I've been reading about the pro's and con's of the RFM vs the MMM. Easy of swapping implements, dust behind you, robust build, lower cost... I've never used a RFM and the only MMM I've used was on an JD 300 series - which would never work on that field.

I will be purchasing a tractor in the 30HP range. (Considering an LX, but leaning towards the JD 2032 simply because the dual pedals are better for me anyway....)

Recommendations or considerations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[K5lwq]

For what you are describing I would suggest either a flail mower or brush hog. I would not recommend a belly mower at all.

Between the 2 a good quality flail would be my choice.

 

[Username Taken]

I retired my last MMM

 

[dodge man]

It seems to be one of the most controversial subjects mmm vs rfm. I like the mid mount I have and one advantage of the JD is the auto connect deck. With a 2032 you can go 72” wide too. If you want more of a yard I’d go with a finish mower. If you want to mow just a few time a year a brush hog.

One problem with a RFM is if you are mowing along something, say a fence, and turn away from it, the mower swings into it. If you have wide open areas, less important. You can also get some really wide rear finish mowers but not unless you step upon horsepower.

 

[ruffdog]

The neighbor has one of these Woods finish mowers that even works for rougher stuff. It has 3 spindles but each one has small free swinging blades like a rotary cutter.

RD990-X - Woods Equipment

 

[3gunr]

I have mowed with an rfm for 30 yrs and really like them . I have no experience with a mmm but many on here do not like them.

 

[check 6]

I have had a middle mower on several smal tractors and while they are convent in that they do not increase the length of the tractor . The bad thing is they reduce the ground clearance of the tractor for other uses . I would agree a flail mower is a good option and does not increase the length of the tractor group as much as a rear mower.

 

[Williy]

If it was me I would get this tractor with a brush hog:

No dust in the cab very comfortable cutting grass in an
air conditioned cab. If you are worried about hitting something when turning at the end of each run cut around the out side edges so you can make the swing
with out worry. The MMM's are allergic to stones or rocks and stumps to damage one could be quite costly! If you have flat level ground like a front yard maybe a MMM would work but if you need it for anything else not very handy to have to remove them.

willy

 

[leonz]

Hello DeerPark5,

Lot of questions, is there home and a suitable garage on this piece of land north of The Lilac City?

Are you going to be trailering a mule and a mower to this land occasionally to mow it if there is no place to store the mule out of the weather???

As you are a new land owner and as yet unsure what to do investing in a riding mower from a big box store like a john Deere E110 with a mid mount mower will work for you as it will handle tall grass and weeds and it is very nimble( I have one and its distant relative the LA100 lawn mower.
The E110 will handle tall grass and weeds without issues-been there done that; I could not get a local lawn wizard to mow my place while I was without a mower for most of last summer.

It will take you longer to mow but it will cost you quite a bit less money to do the job and for that matter and if you have 2 of them the job will not take as long to do and you will be well under $5,000.00 and you can invest in a lawn roller to level out the property as your going to need one.

The next step up in quality hardware would be a Grasshopper lawn mower for this property as it has a front mounted flip up mower deck to make maintenance easier.

The simplest thing to do right now is hire the mowing done for the first few months with someone that has a brush hog or flail crop shredder as that will knock everything down for you over the summer.

A flail crop shredder will recut the brush several times and leave little to no brush clippings to deal with. Hire the mowing done for the first year or two as you will spend much much less money.

After a year or two then you can decide what to do next simply because you have not said much about the property you own north of the Lilac City or if your going to build on it.

You need to be more worried about any surprise junk piles that you have not seen or could run over.

 

[DeerPark5]

Mass reply to all. Thx. The idea of hiring it out the first time is a good one. There is a house with adequate garage +. I have researched the flail mowers - what size for a 2032?