Picking up a 2920 on july 2nd. Which deck (if any)

jakell2010 · Jun 23, 2011

Hi

I am picking up my brand new 2920 next Saturday, trading in my Cub 5264D, ( good ridens) ,,,,,,,either way,,I have a rear blade, potato plow, 5' bush hog, 5' finish mower, all 3 pt, and a dump trailer and access to a 60" tiller.

I have been using my 3pt wood finish mower for years, and was wondering if it's worth the$2400 for a MMM 60"?????,,,,, should I just stick with my 3 pt ,,the only down side to a 3 pt finish mower is that they swing a bit, and are not as maneuverable .

I do have a steep hill that I have to mow in reverse (back up the hill) because I can't turn at the top, so if the deck was in the middle,then that area that I can't reach would be greater, that's the downside to the MMM other than the $. ( small consideration) kidding

The new tractor is the power unit and 364 loader

Thanks
Joe

Wolfy · Jun 23, 2011

One big advantage to the rear mount mower, is that they dismount very fast. I don't believe anyone offers a drive over deck, other than John Deere. Which might translate into manhandling a conventional mid mount deck, if you remove it often.

Will_C · Jun 23, 2011

It sounds like you have answered your own question...you have experience with a RFM and know the advatages and drawbacks...and it does not seem like you mind the drawbacks.

Will

jakell2010 · Jun 23, 2011

The new MMM DECK IS DRIVE OVER,,,,that's the one draw to it,,,,I had a JD 4100 that you had to manhandle it in and out,,,quite a chore

But I guess yes,,,I am going to stick to the RFM,,, would like to have it,,,but it took a lot to save the $14800 for the tractor, and traveling to NH to save $1000 in sales tax

beckmurph · Jun 23, 2011

The mmm's on the bxx20 are drive over decks. The 54" deck, that I have, has fixed antiscalp rollers. The 60" deck has casters that you can turn to the side and roll out from under the tractor like on the BX's.:thumbsup:

Vitster · Jun 23, 2011

I beg to differ. The 60" RCK60-29B (suspended) deck also has antiscalp rollers just like the 54", not swivel wheels, however I have no problem mounting my 60" deck to my B2920. Just drive over and hook up. One suggestion though if you can mount it on a flat concrete surface, do so. If you do need to scoot it slightly to align it a bit it's easy to move sideways with those hard rounded antiscalp rollers. Don't try to scoot it sideways on grass, or dirt, that's how I tweeked my shoulder. I used to have a B7100 HST with 60" deck with (ground contact) swivel wheels, and I thought I wouldn't like this antiscalp roller type with non swivel wheels, but have grown to like it better. Just be sure you adjust it right for your mowing height so it's not regularly contacting ground especially when turning. This deck is also about 50 lbs. lighter than my old deck and therefore easier to stand on it's tail when I want to get under to clean or sharpen blades.

fredhargis · Jun 24, 2011

Bear in mind you will be using your cutter without position control on the 3 PH. I have no idea what that will entail, but it doesn't sound easy. That said, the 60" MMM is easy to put on/off (says me, after a grand total of 4 swaps) and like others said, it is a drive over deck. That part is probably not as big a deal as indicated, since lifting the tractor up with the FEL makes it quite a bit easier. I think what I would do is try the rear cutter a few times, and then decide whether the MMM is for you, then your decision will at least have some experience to help guide your thinking.

chriscos · Jun 24, 2011

Vitster said:
I beg to differ. The 60" RCK60-29B (suspended) deck also has antiscalp rollers just like the 54", not swivel wheels, however ...

I have wheels I can swivel on my 60" deck: See below: (perhaps I should measure my deck? I just assumed it was a 60" since that is what I paid for!)

I've taken on/off the deck about 20 times so far this summer. It is pretty easy. Hardest part is lining up the splines on the PTO shaft and even that isn't too hard.

207458d1302294073-b2920-delivered-photos-inside-2011-04-08-14.36.27.jpg

skspurling · Jun 24, 2011

Position control doesn't matter for a RFM. on my B2620 I use the 60 inch Landpride, and it works great. I am glad I did not get a belly mower. When you mow, it rides on the four casters and you leave the position control all the way down so that it floats off the 3PH. For a bush hog type cutter, the position control may be a PITA, but you aren't looking for a smooth cut anyway. If I had to hang that 60" mower off the back of my tractor in a suspended state while mowing, I would consider 60" way too big. That thing will lift my front wheels slightly off the ground when it is in transport mode and I hit a bump. Not really dangerous when I am just transporting it, but if I had to mow like that I would run into trouble all the time.

OTOH, if I had the drive over deck, I am sure it would be much better than the old slide it from the side decks. I would still not want to remove it, but I could see it causing issues when I start doing dirt work. Since I mow once a week, and am in the process of doing all kinds of landscaping work on my yard at the same time, I am glad I don't have to deal with the belly mower. I just pick up my FEL, drop the RFM, and then pick up the box blade, once I have the grass knocked back down. If I end up tearing up the RFM, I can easily pick up another from one of many sources for a reasonable price. I can also resell it, but there's not too much demand for a 60" RFM in my area.