No more MMM

   / No more MMM #1  

Curt

Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
26
Location
40 mi SE of Buffalo, NY
Tractor
Massey-Ferguson 1215
When I bought my machine in 2000, I really wanted a MMM, because it was my promise that I would take care of the more open lawn that allowed me to get the tractor. The MMM was very strong and I also used it for a 1.5 acre field-when it was dry, even though a rotary cutter would be more suitable.

In 2001 the rains started, and have yet to stop. Since then, the tractor (even with turfs) has been banned from the yard, and the field could hardly be entered by mid-summer. Then I bought a loader, with a weight bar for ballast. This meant (with 3ph disabled) that I couldn't mow with the loader on. Worse yet, I couldn't do much loader work with the mower on because of lack of ground clearance. Even with the deck off the linkages still managed to get buried. It was then I discovered, to my horror, that MMMs have $0 trade-in value. My dealer explained that very few tractors use that mower, and that most people who wanted one bought it with the tractor, as I did. For 2-1/2 years I put up with take loader & weights off for mowing, take mower off for loader work. What a pain! I know that most people here can make that switchover in three minutes tops, but I move slow.

At long last, accounting logic prevailed and I realized that the MMM was a "sunk cost" and that I should bite the bullet and look to the future since it's getting shorter. I made a deal with the reluctant dealer that he would remove the MMM and keep it, redo the loader braces, and sell me a 4-ft rotary cutter. I don't have room to store it, and he will try to sell it, perhaps to another dealer. He will decide if I get anything for it. I trust these people, and I have forgotten about it already. I've cut my field three times already, slogging through the mud and water. With all the rain, the MMM would be hung up most of the time. Our property is turning into a marsh, and I feel better prepared for the future.

FINALLY, I get to the points I wanted to make. First, MMMs are wonderful for mowing, and easier to use than any alternative. But make sure you really need one before you drop in your bucks. Be really careful if you plan to do much loader work. You might have lots of trouble in less than favorable circumstances. Second, life is too short to endure intolerable situations if you don't have to. I feel a new sense of freedom; my heart and back have thanked me already. I've always liked my tractor, but I like it even more now.

Regards, Curt p.s. sorry this is so long
 

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   / No more MMM #2  
Curt,
Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and move on, it has been a frustrating spring/summer. I tried for months to equip my tractor with a MMM because I had gotten a god deal on one. I gave it up, bought a Woods RM59 and been mowin happy ever since.

Good Luck,
Curt
 
   / No more MMM #3  
I find it hard to imgine that with eBay and other ways to sell the MMM that nobody would give you anything for it? Thats sad if thats the case. Boy I hope your dealer finds a way to do something for you.
 
   / No more MMM #4  
If he were to take a couple of pictures of it and advertise it for sale on e Bay, I am certain that he would sell it. It will need to be cleaned up and look good to get the top dollar. If you can't sell something on e Bay, then it is safe to assume that there is no market for the item. You might not get what you think it should be worth, but it will usually sell......
 
   / No more MMM #6  
Ken,
Is it standard policy to talk to customers and get a feel for what their doing with the tractor? You make it sound like the MMM isn't a good product. Why don't you suggest a MMM? I don't understand the theory behind that?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
   / No more MMM #7  
I ask my customer what his needs are and what tools he is going to anticipate using, now and in the future. If he is going to need to use a lot of other tools on the 3 point hitch, The MMM is a big negative. For the reasons listed by the original post and many more. When a customer is doing dedicated mowing and not using a lot of 3 point tools, we do suggest a MMM or a ZTR--Ken Sweet
SWeet Farm Equipment LLC *Used Cultipackers in Stock from $295 to $895*
 
   / No more MMM #8  
I'm with you, Ken. I can't imagine myself ever buying a MMM since they're pretty much brand and model specific. I might want to use a different tractor, and I can still use my 3-point mower, or I might want to change mowers and keep the same tractor, not to mention the fact that the MMM usually costs a bit more, is more trouble to hook up and unhook, more trouble to clean and sharpen blades, and harder to sell if you want to get rid of it.
 
   / No more MMM #9  
My experience with a MMM was on a Cub LoBoy. The rockshaft that was utilized to raise/lower the deck was also used to raise/lower the front blade. At the time, my drive was not paved. After hard rains, some of the stones on the hilly portion of the drive would wash, and repair work was needed. This meant I needed to remove the mower, install the blade, do 15 minutes of scraping, remove the blade, then reinstall the mower. This could occupy me for the best part of a Saturday.

When I was looking for a replacement for the Cub, I began looking for something with a 3PH to get around this. I also wanted to be able to use a lift boom and rear scoop. Fortunately I stumbled onto Ford 1210. What a difference. With the 3PH I could swap implements in 5 minutes. About 2-1/2 years ago, I decided to go for a new tractor with a couple more horses. After the Ford experience, the only setup considered was for a RFM. Somehow Wifey got involved in the process, and she thought it would be handy for us to have a FEL. I like the way she thinks /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Anyway, I went with a Kubota B7500HST and a Landpride RFM. I had planned to sell the Ford and Caroni RFM privately, but never got around to it. I mow a couple other places, and it was nice to just leave the Ford at one of them - free inside storage was available, and one of my sons helps me there. When 2 guys each mowing 5' wide get there, the job goes pretty fast.

One of my preferences is a side discharge. It is something I've always been accustomed to, and it is handy for "raking" leaves in the Fall.....................chim
 
   / No more MMM #10  
Every-time I see a post regarding a MMM I cringe at the thought of mounting or dismounting the heavy cumbersome deck if the tractor is going to be used for anything other than mowing grass.

When I started looking at Class III Boomer's and saw how much trouble MMM were to mess with I quickly opted for a RFM. And since I use my tractor for with a BH and a FEL under different situations a MMM was really out of the question anyway. Never the less I can mount the RFM in under 5 minutes without busting a sweat. I don't think that can be accomplished with a MMM.

I agree with Junkman, clean the deck up, take some pictures, list it at eBay. It will sell there sooner or later. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

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