Rear Finish Mowers

Achilles · Sep 26, 2008

I am looking to replace my mid mount 60" mower on my 2615 HST, mainly do to the fact that I beleive this will drastically increase my ability to to take the mower on and off to do loading and blading work as I am trying to reclaim some wooded area on the property. Now I am looking at the Buhler 60" and 72" units as well as a Rhino in the saem sizes. My yard is not completely flat and has a fair amount of undulations and trees. I am torn between rear and side discharge, pneumatic tires vs solid. With the side discharge I can avoid windrowing my mowing inward. But the rear discharge gives me more options in chaging cutting patterns. I am mowing in the neighborhood of 3 acres and would like the 72" for increased efficiency. Any thoughts or concerns from you folks with my thought ins this matter. Anything I am not considering? Will I need some balast on the front end? Please, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

thanks Achilles

RedRiver · Sep 26, 2008

If it were me I'd go with a rear discharge with solid tires.

Rear discharge will help if you are cutting taller and/or wet grass and you won't have to worry about the solid tires going flat.

Depending on how heavy the 72" mower is and how level the area you will be mowing is the only way to tell if you will need any extra weight on the front end. You should be fine as long as you don't raise the mower too high when transporting it and are careful around hilly areas.

Charlie175 · Sep 26, 2008

I found that by removing the rear discharge rubber safety mats, I got much better spread, before the mats would stop the grass from spreading out much. Yes this does increase the chance of throwing objects.

rear units are so much easier to work on to for sure, just lift them up and go at it (with a proper safety prop though).

It does take time getting used to a rear deck though when turning and going around objects, be careful or you will snag your trees and such.

daBear · Sep 26, 2008

Rear discharge and solid tires. 72" will be the way to go.

Achilles · Sep 26, 2008

thanks to all who have replied. Will take your opinions into consideration.

Achilles

bill6 · Sep 27, 2008

Hi Achilles; I purchased a HOWSE 72" rear discharge. This was after ALOT of reading and research. One of my main considerations was gear ratios; I wanted very tall gearing in order to have high blade tip speed at lower engine rpm's. The Howse was by far geared the tallest. It gives over 23,200 fpm at the tips at 540 pto rpm.

I mow often and do NOT mow tall or thick grass. Therefore, I can throttle back to about 1725 engine rpm's and save fuel. And still get an excellent cut. After nearly a year of use, this mower has given excellent service. I just grease it often and keep the 3 blades sharp. It has pnuematic tires. It's very heavy (745 lbs) and sturdy.

And by the way, the red Howse color nearly matches the Mahindra red!