Need MMM for BX24

[bramsey]

Well my 10 year old lawn tractor has decided it's had enough. So how much should I expect to pay for a MMM for my BX24? Should I get the 54" or 60" deck? I've got about an acre of pure grass to mow. The heavy stuff I use a bush hog on.

Any help would be appreciated.

ben

 

[Volfandt]

I gave around $1800 for the 60" MMM just about 2 yrs ago, don't know what they're bringing now.

If space isn't an issue I'd recommend going ith the 60". It makes a slightly smaller turning radius and kicks you out alittle further from overhangs such as branches etc.

I recently went with gatorblades and although the cut was very good on the std blades I am highly impressed with the gatorblades.
From what I understand the 54 gives a very nice cut also.

btw, I liked the cut and performance of my BX23 w/60" MMM so well that I sold my JD L130 riding mower....

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[jlangton]

You're looking at approx $2K currently for the 54" MMM for a BX.
JL

 

[bramsey]

At those prices maybe I should just get a ZTR. I can't imagine the BX cuts any better.

ben

 

[Volfandt]

Price out a RFM. They are considerably less expensive and many folks say the cut is as good as a MMM.
Woods makes a good RFM in either rear or side discharge.

 

[bramsey]

I couldn't cover enough of the lawn with the RFM. I have some tight areas where the BX could go with a MMM but definitely could not turn with the RFM.

ben

 

[KeithInSpace]

I assume when talking about "just getting a ZTR", you're talking about a TroyBuilt or Cub Cadet at the Homey Depot.

I'd put the quality of the BX cut to their quality any day of the week. You may give a little up because of general maneuverability and deck width over hilly terrain...but the rotational speed of the BX blades is in the "professional" relm which leads to a very, very nice cut.

Been mowing yards forever and while I can't classify the cut as "spectacular" by comparison, I can say I have never had/used a mower that cut any better. I have bunches of trees I mow around and don't have a real problem. HST makes it easy as pie.

You'd spend at least $3,000 on any type of remotely decent ZTR and you'd have to store and maintain the thing. Deck is expensive, but it'll EASILY outlast anything else you could ever buy instead.

 

[bramsey]

Thanks for the input. My main problem is that in the next few years I am moving to a lakefront house with considerably less grass and much less use for a 60" mower. So I am trying to weigh the tradeoffs and decide whether to go Kubota or just get another lawn tractor.

 

[Dusty]

If you purchase a used lawn tractor in a couple of years, it will be worn out and be worthless. If you purchase the Kubota deck, in a few years, it will be barely broken in. If you keep your eye on eBay, occasionally a used mower deck will show up. When I purchased my BX, the dealer has a used deck available, but the price wasn't good enough for me to go used over new. The cut on the 54" & 60" are very comparable, but the cut on the 48" isn't nearly as good, from what I have heard from my dealer. Dusty

 

[RonR]

If I were in the "do-over" mode, instead of buying the 54" MMM with my BX2200, I'd have skipped it and bought a 3rd party RFM. Don't get me wrong, the cut of the Bota mower is excellent, but I don't have that much grass to cut, so I usually leave the MMM off. It is a real pain to hook up the PTO on it. I just put mine back on to chop up the leaves and it took me longer than normal to get the #*#&#*#&#*#* PTO to fit on........

If you plan to mount/dismount the mower a lot, the RFM has to attach easier. And if you decide you no longer need it, you could sell it to someone with another CUT. Doubt that the Bota MMM would fit anyone elses CUT, so the market might be less.

Ooops, I see you have the 24, so the BH is an issue to deal with..........

The main reason I bought mine was I figured if I ever sold it, the MMM would add good value to the package.

Ron

 

[kwolfe]

I have the 54" MMM for my 1500 and can say that it cuts very well. My neighbor bought a Cub ZTR from Lowes. I can cutter better and at twice the speed he does. That 200lb deck is build like a tank (thic blades and heavy belts). I have gottent the hang of putting on and taking off the deck. It only takes me 2minutes now. The PTO shaft is easier to put on if you use two hands (one to hold the sleeve back, the other to rotate it it little to mach up the threads).

 

[Spudgunner]

I have the 54" MMM for my 1500 and can say that it cuts very well. My neighbor bought a Cub ZTR from Lowes. I can cutter better and at twice the speed he does. That 200lb deck is build like a tank (thic blades and heavy belts). I have gottent the hang of putting on and taking off the deck. It only takes me 2minutes now. The PTO shaft is easier to put on if you use two hands (one to hold the sleeve back, the other to rotate it it little to mach up the threads).

A little bit of topic drift here...
A couple of techniques I've been using are, 1) Use the FEL to gain some clearance by lifting the front, and, 2) attach the PTO shaft temporarily withOUT pulling back the sleeve and then, after it's on the splines, pulling back the sleeve, pushing towards the tranny, and listening for that satisfying "snap" of the sleeve.

I hate installing the MMM but I'm sure it makes the cold, frosty beverage that follows taste better.

 

[Jim_Becker]

I'll also recommend the 60" MMM. The additional clearance is very useful to "get close". And when you move and no longer need it, it will be marketable for a decent return on your money. When I install/remove mine, I use at least the FEL to make rolling it under easier...and sometimes the stablizer arms on the BH if I want to take the extra five minutes to install/deinstall the BH.