TC 24 Shopping w/ Rear dishcharge mower

jwstewar · Apr 29, 2003

I've been out tractor driving the last couple of weeks. I drove the Kubota B7500 and really liked it. Drove the John Deere 4115 and hated it (OK, wouldn't hate it if they were to give it to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and got quotes on both of these. Finally have gotten to go to a couple of New Holland dealers to drive a TC 24D. I really like this one as well. Tractor wise I would have a hard time picking between orange and blue, but right now I'm leaning toward the blue for various reasons. One of the them is the MMM. I thought I wanted the rear discharge mower. Now that Ive got the brochure I see they have it listed as a Rear-Discharge/mulcher. I'll be mowing about 7 acres with this thing so I won't always get it mowed when I should. I know with mulching it needs to be cut before it gets too tall. I currently have a pull behind mower that is rear-discharge and it leaves a nice level layer of grass with no clumping. I'm worried that if 914 rear-discharge is a mulcher I won't be happy with the performance. Should I just get the side discharge that I know wouldn't be a mulcher. But I really like the thoughts of being able to mow on whatever side I come up to.

thcri · Apr 29, 2003

jwstewar,

That is exactly what my dealer told me about the rear discharge mower. He told me if keep up with your mowing it is a great mower, but if not, you won't like it. I went with the side discharge instead. I have been happy with it. If being able to mow on both side is critical you could go with a rear finish mower. I personally don't like mowing with them but some here really like them. I don't think they are as nice getting around trees and turning your head back all the time would be a pain in my imagination.

As far as the tractor you will love it. I sure like my New Holland and it has been really reliable.

murph

jwstewar · Apr 29, 2003

I know that I want a MMM. Don't like always having to look behind, but I will end up doing that anyway as I still would like to be able to use my pull behind mower. That would give me a mowing with of 123" - overlap so would still end up around 110" - 115". Pretty nice swipe. Another reason for the MMM. The other thing is, it is easier for the wife to use (same is true for the hydro) - yeah, that's the ticket. Easier for the wife /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jim

jwstewar · Apr 29, 2003

BTW, I'm looking at $16,880 for 24D w/ hyrdo & R-4s, 12LA loader, and 914 Rear Discharge MMM, tax and everything out the door.

bmac · Apr 29, 2003

Don't know what your sales tax rate is (mine is 7%), but your price was about $150 less than my quote for an identical configuration (which I thought was very fair). Good job.

BigDave · Apr 29, 2003

Don't forget, the NH MMM weighs about 100 lbs more than the Kubota MMM. That's the difference between 7 gauge and 9.5 gauge steel.

hazmat · Apr 30, 2003

The 914A rear discharge mower is NOT a mulching mower . I have the 60" version on my TC18. The rear of the deck has a 3/4" "relief". Ie it is 3/4" higher than the front. Instead of a 4" X 12" side discharge, it as a 3/4" X 60" rear discharge.

If you look at a mulching mower, the deck is the same depth all around. The 914A does not try to chop the grass up into tiny bits. It is similar to the rear discharge finish mowers (landpride etc.).

Hope this clears things up.

PS I love the rear discharge, don't have to worry which way the thing is pointing. And it is built like a tank (400#).

jwstewar · Apr 30, 2003

Thank you. That is what I wanted to hear. I did notice the weight difference in the brochures between the 2 decks. I also notice the tractor weighs about 400#s more. Like I said before I use a pull-behind mower now w/ it's own motor and really like it and it is rear discharge. I hope to be pulling it behind my new 24 here shortly.

Again thanks for your input.

Jim

hazmat · Apr 30, 2003

You're welcome. I guess a "pre-congratulations" is in order for your future purchase.

TC18guy · May 1, 2003

Murph,

My dealer told me the same thing. He said the cutting tends to be clumpy and after driving through it I wouldn't be happy. Doesn't sound like Hazmat's experience though, makes me wonder what I've missed.

BTW, is there a bagger or anything for 914A? What does it cost?