Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
MMM are tractor specific, with some very very rare exceptions (usually limited to old tractractors) you cannot buy an aftermarket MMM and used one are next to impossible to find except on popular tractors. With tractors like the CK20 or the more popular Mahindra 2015, which have very low sales nationally, finding a used MMM would likely be an impossible quest. If you were to find a more popular tractor like a small Kubota, Deere or New Holland you could find a used MMM, but even then, the search would be a tough one as they rarely are sold separately.
As for Box Blades, you can typically find used box blades. Make sure they are square and not bent. A bent, or sprung, box blade is absolutely worthless, or at least not worth any more than the price paid for recycled steel. You can find good used box blades. The heavier the better. For a 20/21hp tractor you should look at a 48" box blade. Make sure the scarifiers are adjustable without needing tools and make sure none are missing. You may want to look here for some information: Box Blade Photo Comparison
Digging a foundation properly & efficiently requires a backhoe. You will find digging with a FEL to be difficult. FELs are simply not made to dig. Going into the side of a hill and digging a 25' by 30' foundation will be a verly long hard task with a tractor. For under $200 you could rent a mini-excavator and dig that out in one afternoon.
As for a Flail Mower, that is a rough cut mower that uses sharpened chain that spin around a rotating tube to cut grass. They will cut grass and brush. They do not provide a great finished cut and they are a high maintanence and expensive implement. They are good for some applications but I can't see you using one. A Flail Mower is NOT a Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog. Both are used for similar cutting but they work totally differently. Neither will give your lawn a finished cut.
As for a RFM, they cost less than MMM but for mowing a small lawn I can see no advantage other than cost. They do come off a bit easier than a MMM but I think they are more difficult in a yard type enviornment where you have flower beds and trees to mow around. I've used 2 different RFMs, the good brands are very good, the lower priced brands (IMHO) are junk. You can find RFMs used so that may be a good option, but be careful that you carefully inspect the oil in the gearbox for water, the spindles, belts, etc. I like RFMs for mowing open areas, they are also nice to back down along creek banks and under thorn trees, but for yard style mowing I'll take a MMM over a RFM every time because in my experience they get the job done faster. For most work, they can be left on the tractor, but if you get into heavy FEL work, it is best to remove them. Others prefer RFMs, there is probalby no correct answer, just a matter of preference.
Be careful about buying across state lines (you mentioned Ohio) in hopes of saving sales tax. You would still be liable for the sales tax in your home state. Many dealers will tell you that you can buy TAX FREE if they ship the tractor into your state. That is a 1/2 truth, you don't have to pay THEIR state tax, but you still owe YOUR state tax. If you finance the tractor it is very likely that you'd be getting an unexpected tax bill about a year or two after you take delivery of your tractor. If you don't finance, then you might get lucky. But in any case you'd be breaking the law. DISCLAIMER: I am not an accountant, financial planner or tax planner, however am regularly called as an expert witness in the midwest states to tesitfy on excise taxes, cross border tax evasion and similar topics. I've testified in several states on behalf of various organizations, and at the request of legistators. I've also been deposed as an expert witness in federal court trials for multinational corporations on related topics.
As for Box Blades, you can typically find used box blades. Make sure they are square and not bent. A bent, or sprung, box blade is absolutely worthless, or at least not worth any more than the price paid for recycled steel. You can find good used box blades. The heavier the better. For a 20/21hp tractor you should look at a 48" box blade. Make sure the scarifiers are adjustable without needing tools and make sure none are missing. You may want to look here for some information: Box Blade Photo Comparison
Digging a foundation properly & efficiently requires a backhoe. You will find digging with a FEL to be difficult. FELs are simply not made to dig. Going into the side of a hill and digging a 25' by 30' foundation will be a verly long hard task with a tractor. For under $200 you could rent a mini-excavator and dig that out in one afternoon.
As for a Flail Mower, that is a rough cut mower that uses sharpened chain that spin around a rotating tube to cut grass. They will cut grass and brush. They do not provide a great finished cut and they are a high maintanence and expensive implement. They are good for some applications but I can't see you using one. A Flail Mower is NOT a Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog. Both are used for similar cutting but they work totally differently. Neither will give your lawn a finished cut.
As for a RFM, they cost less than MMM but for mowing a small lawn I can see no advantage other than cost. They do come off a bit easier than a MMM but I think they are more difficult in a yard type enviornment where you have flower beds and trees to mow around. I've used 2 different RFMs, the good brands are very good, the lower priced brands (IMHO) are junk. You can find RFMs used so that may be a good option, but be careful that you carefully inspect the oil in the gearbox for water, the spindles, belts, etc. I like RFMs for mowing open areas, they are also nice to back down along creek banks and under thorn trees, but for yard style mowing I'll take a MMM over a RFM every time because in my experience they get the job done faster. For most work, they can be left on the tractor, but if you get into heavy FEL work, it is best to remove them. Others prefer RFMs, there is probalby no correct answer, just a matter of preference.
Be careful about buying across state lines (you mentioned Ohio) in hopes of saving sales tax. You would still be liable for the sales tax in your home state. Many dealers will tell you that you can buy TAX FREE if they ship the tractor into your state. That is a 1/2 truth, you don't have to pay THEIR state tax, but you still owe YOUR state tax. If you finance the tractor it is very likely that you'd be getting an unexpected tax bill about a year or two after you take delivery of your tractor. If you don't finance, then you might get lucky. But in any case you'd be breaking the law. DISCLAIMER: I am not an accountant, financial planner or tax planner, however am regularly called as an expert witness in the midwest states to tesitfy on excise taxes, cross border tax evasion and similar topics. I've testified in several states on behalf of various organizations, and at the request of legistators. I've also been deposed as an expert witness in federal court trials for multinational corporations on related topics.
