Newbie question regarding GC2300 price & RFM info

[commkam]

OK, two questions:

1) I have pretty much made up my mind on buying a MF GC2300 (I looked at the MF GC2300, Kubota BX2350, and JD 2305). I decided on the MF because the dealer has a great rep here in town as well as, I believe, giving me a great price. He quoted me a price of $9700 for the GC2300 and a 4' RFM and that price is the "out the door" price (tax, tag, title, etc). I have shopped around and believe this is a very good price....comments??

2) I have already priced the tractor with a 4' RFM but haven't "pulled the trigger" yet. What is the difference between the 4' and 5' RFMs (other than a difference in cost)? Obviously, I assume it's that the 4' is a little easier to mow in tight spots but is that it?? I know the 2300 will handle both units so it must be something like that. Just in case it has a bearing on the answer: the 3-4 acres I will be mowing has a lot of trees in it I'll have to go around and is mostly flat.

THANKS!

 

[73jeep]

You're right about being able to handle either of them. My 1523 is identical (power-wise) to your 2300, and it easily handles my 60" RFM.

 

[Nasty135]

commkam, Hi and welcome to TBN!

You didn't mention if the GC quoted has a FEL(loader), also I wouldn't go for the 4' RFM... I would have to get the 5' MMM (better handling-easier mowing,unless you'll be mowing under bushes in reverse) that is used on that tractor from Massey. The 5' RFM would be my 2nd option..

If the base price on that tractor is around $8k and the MMM for it is around $2k that would be $10k ,So $9700 would be a good price , But a 4' RFM will not cost $2k more like $1k so ,IMO it might be slightly High ... Also the loader option should be close to $2.5k ...

It has been awhile (2yrs.) since I have priced the GC w/options but I still would have some reservations about a 4' RFM especially with 3-4 acres... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[loulblades]

I originally bought my GC2300 with the 60" RFM with the idea that it would be easier to connect/remove than an MMM. I also like that an RFM doesn't concentrate the clippings like an MMM (which is good if waiting too long between cuts).

After mowing the grass a couple times, I ended up taking the RFM back to the dealer and making a deal to get a 60" MMM.

Why would I do such a thing? Well theory and practice sometimes have a way of clashing. Although the connect/remove concept was valid, getting around trees was a problem. I only have a couple acres to mow but have a number of trees to mow around. Of course when you make a circle around a tree and the mower swings out, you have to do some back and forth to get a nice trim. Also my daughter, who does alot of the mowing, had an adverse reaction to using "that thing".

I do miss the ease of hooking up the RFM, although I did make some ramps out of 2x8 to run up over the MMM I still have to get down on the ground to connect the PTO and support pins.

If you do go with RFM I would suggest the 60" since it sticks out beyond the tires to make edging easier.

Good luck on your choice and that is the end of my $0.2 (no change necessary).

 

[commkam]

Jeep and Nasty, thanks for the comments.

No, the price quoted is not with a FEL. The break down of the price includes:

The MSRP on the GC2300 is $10,497 but he quoted me $9000
The MSRP on the 4' RFM is around $600 but he quoted me $500
Tax, setup, title, and etc is around $200
TOTAL = $9700


I initially went in to the dealer thinking I wanted a MMM but after talking it over with him decided on the RFM (I did this same thing at the Kubota dealer with same result). The reason is that for the moment I only need the tractor for mowing but down the road (say 6-9 months) I will purchase a Bushhog (or similar) and clear some land we want to build a house on -- the land is fairly flat btw. Both dealers said if I was going to be doing bushhoging and finish mowing interchangably that I'd have to yank the MMM to do the bushhoging so it'd be easier to use the RFM.

I will also be getting a FEL at that time as well as a BB (the MF dealer already gave me a quote of $2400 for the FEL). Once I started to think about it I also started to have some reservations about the 4' RFM as 3-4 acres is a lot to cut in 48" swaths. I went out and took a closer look at the land and it's probably closer to 3 acres than 4 and the 3 acres includes a house and driveway. Regardless, for the reasons you stated that's why I asked my question.....I was leaning towards the 5' RFM and just wanted a sanity check. All three dealers (MF, Kubota, JD) quoted me 4' RFMs and I was just trying to figure out why (I am assuming because it's simply because the 4' is less in price).

BTW - I wanted to let everyone know that this is by far and away the best tractor forum I have seen (trust me, I have looked around at a lot of them). I have already learned A LOT of very helpful information by just reading all the posts. THANKS!!!

 

[commkam]

loulblades, thanks for the comments. You must have been typing up a reply as I was typing up mine.

I hear you on the MMM and that is why I am a little torn on if I want to do the RFM or not (my wife/daughter will also be doing some of the mowing and will probably have the same response as your daughter). However, I also know that even with a MMM that I'll still need to go out there with a weed eater so am not sure in the end it'll make all that big a difference which way I go....therefore, I am leaning towards that 5' RFM.

I am always open to suggestions/ideas and do not have my heart set on anything as of this moment so appreciate everyones comments!

 

[loulblades]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( However, I also know that even with a MMM that I'll still need to go out there with a weed eater so am not sure in the end it'll make all that big a difference which way I go... )</font>

Actually I am a proponent of the LAW principal and I have setup my yard so a weedeater is not necessary. All the trees, landscaping and other obstacles have river rock installed below the grass level around them so I can hang the edge of my 60" MMM (which extends beyond my tires) over the stones to cut the grass up to it. Since I do it that way, an RFM might make it more difficult to control.

Or maybe I am just lazy.

 

[commkam]

loulblades, Nah, you aint lazy -- I believe it's called "work smarter, not harder". I did't think about adding the river rock at the base of the trees, good idea. Sounds like a good "task" to work on once I get my FEL in 6-9 months (anyway - that's a nice FALL or SPRING project, not a SUMMER one as it gets pretty brutal here in Bama that time of year) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[artman67]

I have a 2300 FEL, 60" MMM adn I love it! I have only cut the lawn a few times but it is great. The dealer did a good job of working with me to get the height set to where I wanted it. They showed me how to remove and connect it back up again. I have to say, the first time I put it back on ( I usually have it off for my FEL work) I HATED it. It took me a while. After 2 times and getting somewhat of a procedure down, I have it down to about 3 minutes. I found that the key is to take the pins out of the rear wheels so they turn - I neglected to do this the first time DOH! I was wrestling with the PTO shaft and wheel shaft hitting the filter in the back and the boot in the front. I use the loader to lift the tractor a bit now ot clear everything in front. I was amazed at how maneuverable this was. I was a bit worried about how it would maneuver as I upgraded from a much smallerSears tractor. I have several trees and landscape structures to maneuver around and with my setup it is easily accomplished. I can't believe that this handles adn maneuvers better than a much better tractor. I have let a few friends hop onboard and they can't believe it either.