New mower

[shade2u2]

Yesterday I finally was able to assemble & use my new FirstChoice 6' rear discharge mower unit. It went together without much difficulty, appears to be very well built (weighs almost 600 lbs), and it did a great job cutting our new yard (& some of the grass was pretty tall).
It's a great mower & fun to cut a couple of acres in such little time. I was able to back in near trees in order to cut very close to them & leave very little for trimming.

 

[tdenny]

Shade2u2,

That's good to hear since I'm hoping to get my mower (First Choice) sometime soon. So far the responses for their mowers are very good. Have fun.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

If it's built anything like their box blade (the one I have and TD doesn't yet /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ), it ought to be sturdy enough for you. My "Light Duty" is as heavy as I'll ever need.

I'm now anxiously awaiting the beginning of production of the First Choice rotary mowers early this month. I ordered a 5' model from the dealer when I ordered my box blade so I could be the first kid on my block to have one. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Once again, I went with the "Light Duty" version because I don't think my tractor could move what they must call a "Heavy Duty" model. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I imagine I could use one as a chipper/shreadder, though. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[BrettW]

Shade, what size tractor are you pulling the FC mower with?
weight, PTO hp? thanks, bw

 

[bnixon]

Shade2u2,

Great to hear. I am waiting on my 7' FC finish mower as well. Sound like you are enjoying yours. When can you get some pics up? What all was involved in the assembly?

Thanks,

 

[shade2u2]

I'm using a NewHolland TC33 (about 3500 lbs & about 27 PTO hp if I remember right) with no problem. In my opinion, I may have handled a 7', but the 6' will be more tree friendly.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I will try to take some pictures tonight, but will have to spray it off first due to it being so dusty when I mowed. It broke my heart to get the mower dirty... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[shade2u2]

Here's a pic of the new mower. It is still filthy from the first cut.

 

[shade2u2]

Here's the tractor, mower, new grass, & new house in the background...

 

[JimMc]

What do you get the man who has everything? Nice place. Congratulations /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[BrettW]

Shade, looks like the mower has no chain guard, do you find that you are throwing stuff a lot?

 

[Golfgar4]

<font color=blue>"What do you get the man who has everything?"</font color=blue>

Another <font color=blue>First Choice</font color=blue> implement! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MikeH]

John,
Very nice !!
Thanks for the good shot of the mower, my First Choice mower is still on a "wish list". Keep us posted with updates.

Mike

 

[tdenny]

No mercy Gary. I know Pieter gets back today. I'll be calling him ASAP. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[Kodiak]

Well I've been running my 6' First Choice FM for 3 months now. And yes its a great mower. I some times get carried away and use it on some things that I shouldn't, like 3' pasture grass (cut at 5"), and down in the bottom of my drainage swale where theres 1" of standing water. She purrs right along. Some one mentioned no rear chains, doesn't need them. The rear of the deck is slope down. The ground absorbs the energy of any thing the blades throw. I haven't seen the blades toss anything more than 5'. You gotta love that powder coat finish, I can pick it up, hit with a regular garden hose underneath everything falls right out. Always had to pressure wash my old decks. So far only one problem, a flat tire. That was my fault for being somewhere I shouldn't have been. If you have any slope at all I highly recomend that you get the optional front anti scalp roller. Its the sturdiest one I"ve ever seen on a FM. I do wish that I had gotten that beautiful New Holland blue, but I just took what was available an ended up with an orange one. Still it looks great and I definitely know where it is back there at a glance.

 

[stnickstoys]

Where did everyone get their first choice mowers. I too would like to try one
Nick

 

[tdenny]

Shade2u2,

Nice place you've got there. The front porch looks alot like mine. I hope yours is all concrete as well. Nice mower too - I am waiting for mine./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[bnixon]

Shade2u2,

Did you have to assemble your mower or did you get it from a local dealer? I will be geting mine next week and was wondering how much assembly will be required.

Thanks,

 

[shade2u2]

Even though the directions weren't the best /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif(probably Italian translated to English), I was able to assemble it without too many curse words flowing. I'm not an accomplished mechanic by any means. Roughly, you have to do the following:
Put the wheels/tires/pivot axle on the horizontal supports.
Bolt the each of these assemblies to the mower housing.
Mount gearbox to mower housing.
Place 2 belts.
Install belt covers.
Fill gearbox with oil.
Grease & tighten.

 

[JimMc]

I believe we are in process for larger, easier to read and understand manuals. Thanks for the good reports.

 

[MikePA]

Jim, the web site is looking good! What about putting prices on it? Even MSRP prices would help us in preparing our case for the CFO. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif