RFM: 60" v. 72"?

Skitch · Jun 18, 2004

RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

The time is drawing near for my purchase a new RFM. The delima that I have is whether or not to go with a larger size deck to cut down on mowing time. I haven't seen a post on this particular question, nor did I find it in any search results. FYI, I mow approx 5 acres, mostly gentle rolling hills. Only a small portion has finished landscaping (ie, lots of trees).

1. How much time will an additional foot actually save? I saw a chart in a local dealer that said it was approximately 8 minutes for every two acres. Is this accurate in the real world?

2. One drawback that I have heard regarding the larger deck is scalping. This is somewhat of a concern because I want the deck to last for years to come, and I want to take good care of it. The yard, on the other hand, I am not so concerned about. We just finished building a house, and there are still plenty of bare spots that need reseeding. One more won't hurt.

Any thoughts?

jimdan · Jun 18, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

Skitch,
I can't answer your question about how much faster the extra inches will make your mowing, would depend on the speed at which you were moving I suspect. I pull a 72" RFM and mow 5 acres of relatively flat yard with a Kubota 2910. It is a Land Pride and I bought the optional anti-scalp roller that mounts on the front of the deck. I haven't had any problems at all with scalping, even when I mow the bar ditches along the road.

boustany · Jun 18, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

Well, adding 12" to a 60" deck is a 20% increase, so you cover 20% more ground and should be able to cut a given area 20% faster. Scalping could be a big deal if its hilly, but maybe not that much more of a problem with a 72" vs a 60" deck. Maneuverability may be an issue, but if you can get the tractor around a tree the RFM will follow.

As long as you've got the horses, I'd go with the bigger deck.

Zoomie · Jun 18, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

I pull a 72" King Kutter finish mower behind my Ford 1700 and I don't have any problems with scalping. The King Kutter mounts in a way that lets the mower tilt from side to side as much as 16".

One thing to think about is the width of your tractor and the ability to get close to things. My tractor is about 60" wide across the rear tires, so the 72" mower made more sense for me.

cperky · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

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One thing to think about is the width of your tractor and the ability to get close to things. )</font>

I pull a 72" RFM and one of the best features is the abality to get close to things with the RFM being wider than my rear wheelbase.

No problem with scalping except when I try to pull forward after backing into a ditch.

yellowsocks93 · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

I traded a 60'' MMM for the 72'' JD RFM I now have, A ton faster on the straights now and no scalping. Pretty good for a rear finish mower.

Say I've got a question guys my top link moves up and down a ton when mowing like every second it is moving. Is this hard on the top link or tractor at all. I am a nube when it comes to these RFM. I have used our 92 970 as a kid with the MMM. If I tightnen it the mower will not follow the ground as well so I have it tight but the link is still able to follow ground contour.

OkieG · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

If the tail wheel stays in ground contact all the time, your top link is not too tight. If possible the wheel should stay in ground contact. But, the top link need be no longer than what it takes to allow this. As the tractor and RFM terrain follow, the toplink can be constantly moving. No problem.

OkieG

Zoomie · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

My toplink moves up and down too. It is just reacting to the mower deck's movement.

have_blue · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

I'll give you some impressions of moving up from a 60 to a 72" brush cutter. I mow about the same as a finishing mower, because my field is well tamed and I try not to let the grass get away from me. With the 60 incher, it used to take me about 6 hours mow an irregular 6 or 7 acre patch. Now it takes me about 4. The perceived time on the tractor, or the "aching butt factor" seems much less. That's probably because the extra 2 hours were at the end of the mowing, when I was the most tired. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The extra foot is 100% utilized. That is to say, the overlap is the same with a 60" and a 72" deck, so the extra foot is an honest foot gained. 30 rounds get you 60 feet of extra mown area.

Skitch · Jun 19, 2004

Re: RFM: 60\" v. 72\"?

I appreciate hearing what people who actually own the equipment have to say about it, and it sounds like the concensus is to go with the larger deck. You have confirmed my gut feeling that I would not be disappointed with the larger deck, and I believe that is the direction I will proceed. Thanks for your input.