OP
Tractor or zero turn??
- Thread starter tgicountryboy
- Start date
- Views: 2069
I have a 7610 with FEL, 60"MMM, and 42" brushhog. The property is 8 acres of which 2 1/2 is true lawn and there are 2 one acre meadows.
I also have a (barely) used 52" Scag Hydro walk-behind. I just got the two wheel Velke (off-brand) that you stand on.
I REALLY REGRET dropping $3000 on the mid-mount mower
granted it was an excuse with the wife to buy the "Lawn" tractor. Here's why:
-MMM halves the tractor's clearance 12" to 6" and must be removed to go in rough meadows or woods. Don't let anyone tell you it's not a pain in the ...neck. RFM is much easier on and off. RFM lifts and isn't a clearence problem.
-60"wide MMM with side discharge leaves a "furrow" of clippings 3" deep on the row you just cut. Looks like crap, granted I'm only there to mow every 3 weeks so the grass is long. If you decide on the tractor get a RFM (rear finish mower) with rear discharge as it spreads out the clippings better.
-Quality of cut on a SCAG or similar is FAR superior ( blade tip speed is 18,000 FPS vs. 12,000
-With a SCAG you can get Mulching blades which chop up the discharge very well...if you're able to mow weekly, you get the plate which closed off the deck discharge and clippings are almost undetectable. If you're cutting off more than an inch don't use the plate; they'll disburse out the chute pretty well.
My MMM has been used only 4 or 5 times and now sits unused in the barn as I opt for the Scag every time now. Was $3000...luck to get $1,500 for it a year later.
The FEL is very handy....indispensible when "building" a yard. If you could pull it off, get the 7610, FEL, RFM. If not, go with a large zero turn (Scag makes a 61" version of the walkbehind that is frequently offered as cheap or cheaper than my 52" on the used market) Better yet you may be able to pick up a used zero turn for the cost of the RFM. Two machines. Dedicated mower keeps the hours off the more expensive tractor.
Just my 2 cents (plus the $1,500 in depreciation on the mmm) ;-(
I also have a (barely) used 52" Scag Hydro walk-behind. I just got the two wheel Velke (off-brand) that you stand on.
I REALLY REGRET dropping $3000 on the mid-mount mower
granted it was an excuse with the wife to buy the "Lawn" tractor. Here's why:
-MMM halves the tractor's clearance 12" to 6" and must be removed to go in rough meadows or woods. Don't let anyone tell you it's not a pain in the ...neck. RFM is much easier on and off. RFM lifts and isn't a clearence problem.
-60"wide MMM with side discharge leaves a "furrow" of clippings 3" deep on the row you just cut. Looks like crap, granted I'm only there to mow every 3 weeks so the grass is long. If you decide on the tractor get a RFM (rear finish mower) with rear discharge as it spreads out the clippings better.
-Quality of cut on a SCAG or similar is FAR superior ( blade tip speed is 18,000 FPS vs. 12,000
-With a SCAG you can get Mulching blades which chop up the discharge very well...if you're able to mow weekly, you get the plate which closed off the deck discharge and clippings are almost undetectable. If you're cutting off more than an inch don't use the plate; they'll disburse out the chute pretty well.
My MMM has been used only 4 or 5 times and now sits unused in the barn as I opt for the Scag every time now. Was $3000...luck to get $1,500 for it a year later.
The FEL is very handy....indispensible when "building" a yard. If you could pull it off, get the 7610, FEL, RFM. If not, go with a large zero turn (Scag makes a 61" version of the walkbehind that is frequently offered as cheap or cheaper than my 52" on the used market) Better yet you may be able to pick up a used zero turn for the cost of the RFM. Two machines. Dedicated mower keeps the hours off the more expensive tractor.
Just my 2 cents (plus the $1,500 in depreciation on the mmm) ;-(
