Mower Question: RMM vs. MMM

[tractor_newbee]

I am in the market for my first tractor, but am not sure whether to get a Rear mounted mower or a Belly mounted mower. I will most likely purchase a Kubota B7500 or BX2200 (but that's a whole other issue!) I will be finish mowing about 2 ac. around my house. I don't have too many trees in the yard, and not too much landscaping (but I intend to add a few more flower beds). I have a lot of experience running tractors from working on a farm when I was younger, and used to bush-hog quite a bit. But... the only finish mowing I have done is with push-type or small lawn tractors.

It seems to me that the RMM would be harder to follow the lines of landscaping, and to get around the few trees I have, but easier to get in to areas the MMM might not be able to get due to it's location. I have also been told by a few farmer friends never to buy a MMM for two reasons: 1-Too hard to remove when you don't want it on. 2-Problems with belts, pullys, etc. make them more prone to problems. The price of the MMMs seems to be about double the RMM which is also a factor.

So...Rear mount or Belly mount. What do you recomend and why?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

John,

It sounds like you have the pro's and con's lined out fairly well. I'd think going with a rear mount mower would be cheaper and allow you to spend some money on a small mower to use to "trim" around your landscaping.

Just a thought. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I hope this helps.

 

[ptonline]

if you read back your own post, you will notice that you pretty much answered your query. MMM are good for small or landscaped sites. They do cost more,are more of a workout to remove plus you ll need a tractor with a mid PTO,which spells even more $$$. Unless you plan to turn your place into Kew Gardens go with the rear-mount.

 

[JimMc]

Rear mount gives you the choice of side or rear discharge. Few mid-mounts are made as rear discharge.

 

[Kodiak]

I gotta go with the rear mount. Since my tractor also gets a lot of loader time, I just can't dedicate it to having a MMM full time do to ground clearance issues. As far as the maneuverability issue goes. Well it just becomes second nature to you by the 3rd or 4th mowing as to where that mower is back there.

I would like to suggest that you go with a rear discharge, no side discharge chute sticking further out to one side. And less clumping and windrowing. But do get a model that extends out @ 6" on either side of the rear wheels. This makes it easier to get up against a fence or other object. Remember that on the B7500 you can have the wheels extended farther out for more stability.

Speaking of the B7500, it gets my vote over the BX2200. Just more of a tractor. and you can hang a bigger loader on it. Oh yeah you might want consider a loader. Its like having an extra hand and two extra backs. Most useful tool you will ever own.

 

[Steelfan]

Welcome to TBN,

I'm going to take the other side of this discussion. I've got a TC21D with a MMM, and FEL. I have about 3 acres of grass to mow. The tractor sixe, and lawn size are very similar to what you are talking about here. I'm very, very pleased with my MMM. I can get as close to trees, and flower beds, as I did with my Garden Tractors. The yard looks as good as when I mowed with my Wheel Horse, and Craftsman. Taking the MMM is no problem with my FEL. I just lift the front of the tractor off the ground. Putting it back on is a little hard, due to positioning the mower itself. I found that if you are on a level surface, it takes about 15 minutes. This issue has been discussed before, and the debate still goes on. I can tell you , that I'm very, very happy with my MMM. Good Luck, Kent

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

I went with a RFM and I am basically satisfied with my decision. I have only used it twice so far.

At this point I think I should have went with a 72 inch unit over the 60 inch that I bought. I have a little extension beyond the rear tires, but could use more. I like the rear discharge that I have, which is a Woods RD6000 model.

Cutting close to a fence takes a little getting used to, as the movement of the mower, as related to the steering wheel, is opposite to that of the MMM. In other words, the MMM moves with the front wheels, the RFM opposite to them.

THe RFM goes on and off pretty easily. Actually really easily. I have to drop my backhoe to put on the RFM, and that is the hardest part of mowing.

An advantage of the RFM that I liked was the ability to back to a ditch and cut right to the edge. BUT, to do this you have to pick up the RFM with your 3PH, because in the normal mode the RFM runs on the ground, supported by its own wheels, and the back wheels will drop off the ditch edge otherwise, sending the blades into the ground. [I figured this out beforehand, so I did not do any rototilling...]

With a hst transmission, I don't mind stopping and backing up in some tight places. A real pleasure as compared to using the old MTD garden tractor.

All in all, I think going with the RFM was the right decision for me. IF you go with a RFM and regret it, you will likely be able to see it much easier than you could sell a MMM, which is generally brand specific, from what I understand. THe RFM is a 3PH attachment that will work on just about anyone's tractor.

The RFM does stick out the back a bit more than I had expected, but I don't find this to be much of a concern, if at all.

Attached is a photo of my B2910 with the RFM on it...

Bill Macher in Pgh, PA...

 

[Steelfan]

Hey Bill,

That's a nice looking setup, that you got there. Go Steelers!!!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Kent

 

[Von]

I had a 6' RFM on my old tractor and now have a 6' MMM with this tractor. So after having both I like the MMM. I think it cuts better by not having the rear tires go over the grass before the mower deck. Its alot easier to get close to trees and landscaping with the MMM and I don't have to keep looking back! I can take my deck off in less than 5 min. so that is not a problem. I find there are some places I can't cut with the MMM, and others that I now can that I couldn't before with the RFM. The only thing that I miss is being able to raise the mower up 2 ft. to clean it.

 

[JimMc]

In addition to backing up to mow ditches, the RFM is great for backing under low branched trees, like pines and cedars.