Rear Finish Mowers

[Henro]

I don't have one anymore....but I did and must say that I thought it cut better than my MTD garden tractor. I had a Woods RD6000, which is a rear discharge.

One problem I had was the mower was not wide enough. It only extended a few inches on either side of my rear wheels. This made cutting close to anything like a fence a real pain.

Also, my pond is not that big, and cutting close to the pond edge was a pain, unless I cut in reverse, which was a pain in the neck... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Had I bought a 72" MMM for my B2910 Kubota to begin with, I probably would not have a BX2200/mmm now...I traded my Woods RFM for a new Woods Rotary Cutter when I bought the BX last summer...and don't regret it for a minute. But that is just me, with not that much grass to cut and a lot of things to cut around/close to.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I switched from the best MMM ever made the Deere 7 iron to the 272 rear mower by Deere and it cuts a little worse but still good. I needed a bigger tractor and did not want to mess with installing a mid PTO kit.

Do most of you RFM owners turn sharp or are you like me making large swooping turns? I always thought that it would be hard on the 3 point by turning sharp but I guess since it is not ground engauging I guess it would not hurt any. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[frank_f15]

i have a Befco RFM and find it to be ideal for my use, i do not cut lawn grass with it . As with any mower if u let the grass get to long you are not going to be happy with the cut. best feature for me is the ease of attaching and removing & being able to back under things is also a plus. That is just MHO

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I've never used a MMM with my compact utility tractor so I can't compare, but I don't find it difficult at all mowing with a rear finish mower. I can't think of any reason not to use a rear finish mower. I get a nice cut with mine (Woods RD7200). I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MicroPilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jim,
.... One thing that is probably different about mowing with an RFM compared to a MMM is that when you turn there is a swing to the back end which you must account for, just a bit of experience figuring how much the link arms will let it move....)</font>

Just tighten up your lower link stabilizers to center the deck and there should be no movement at all.

 

[nitroxn]

Jim,

I had the same questions you have, until I bought the bullet and picked up an inexpensive "Spider" brand rear disharge 60" RFM. Rear discharge looks better because it spreads the clippings out more evenly.(my opinion) I mow 3.5 acres weekly and the only complaint I have is scalping. So if you go with a RFM what ever brand you choose get an anti scalp roller on it. Unless your property is REALLY level. The quality of cut is great,very easy to operate. Drive with it like you would a rotary cutter. The only drawback is it is hard to get close to trees so I have a 32"rider I trim with. But you can back under things. (handy)



Curtis

 

[rbargeron]

Here is OrangeGuy's Walco Douglas RFM Thread with several nice pics. Anyone would certainly agree the lawn is "OK" - maybe a heluva understatement /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

OrangeGuy: to make a link, first go to wherever the post is and highlight the address bar, right click and copy. Then go back to where you are composing a post and click on "URL". You'll be prompted for an address - just right click and "paste" the address of the post. The next prompt is for the words you want to be clickable (they'll show up in a different color in your new post)

I use a Woods 90" RFM - I set it up high (maybe 8") so I can make a pretty rough field look like a golf course. On this land a mid-mount would be destroyed in a short time. The big Woods has swing-back blades so is really three high-speed rotary brush cutters under one platform. Great tool.

 

[PineRidge]

I have used a RFM for the past 6+ years with no complaints. It is easy to mount and dismount. It cuts well and is easy to maintain including exchanging the extra set of blades that I keep for it. I do recommend the anti-scalp roller as mine came equipped with one. It's easy to back under low lying pine trees & shrubs with a RFM for a super close cut.

My neighbor liked the cut so well they ran out and purchased a RFM for their Massey as well.

 

[OhioGuy]

I have a 60" RFM on my 1220 and a 60 MMM on a Cub 1872. I mow the 2 acres around the house with the Cub, a lot of trees and other items to get close to. I mow a couple acre field in the back with the RFM, it's faster mowing, provides a great cut and I can swap it with another implement in 10 or 15 minutes.

Good Luck
Curt

 

[dass]

A local dealer had these Wilco Douglas RFM's priced at $1200-60" and $1400-72". Wilco (Canada) bought out Douglas some years ago. Well built with strong welding. I have the 72" and it works fine with the TC-33. Great combo !