Which mower…

FingerLakes · Aug 2, 2005

I’ve been looking at the JD 2210 for months and waiting for the announcement of its replacement. Thanks to the TBN members, I now have the preliminary information on the new JD 2305. It looks great! Now I need to select the appropriate mower for my application and would appreciate input.

I plan to mow 3-5 acres of meadow grasses just to keep it looking clean but not highly manicured. My real question is “Do I buy a Mid Mount Mower or a 261 Rear-Mount Rotary Mower”.

My impressions are the MMM is more maneuverable, but the RMM is easier to attach and remove as needed (i-Match?). I’ll be mulching around the trees so I don’t need to make sharp turns or mow in a tight radius. Bottom line is… I’m leaning toward the RMM because I could drop it off after mowing and attach a rake or ballast box or what ever much easier than the MMM (my assumption).

Any recommendations?

garchib · Aug 2, 2005

I own the 261 RFM and have been quite happy with it. For pasture mowing, I think a RFM is the way to go. I have gone back and forth over the years on RFM versus MMM and have decided for me it is best to have a bigger tractor (i.e. a CUT) with a RFM for field work and have a small lawn tractor with a MMM for around the house, rather than have a CUT with a MMM and try to use it for both. Best of luck to you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Malvern · Aug 2, 2005

FingerLakes

I would go with the 62C MMM because it's really not to hard to remove the deck, I can do it in under 2 minutes. Goes like this

Pull the deck up to the install point on the dial. Turn all 4 gauge wheels 90 degrees, lower the deck, pull the 2 pins on the rear of the deck, pull the front bracket, remove the gear box drive shaft, pull deck out from under the tractor. Sounds like a lot but if you do it several time it gets easy. This way you don't have the RMM swinging out behind the tractor.

Just my humble opinion.

Malvern /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Lobo56 · Aug 2, 2005

Had a 261 on my my old 650 it's a nice mower if your not going to cut around trees & beds. Have the 62c on my 2210
and it's been great not having to turn around to see if I'm going to clear thing with the rear mower. If you go with the 261 on the 2305 better use front ballast if you don't have a load. It's a pretty heavy mower. Also the 261 is more money!

JDFANATIC · Aug 2, 2005

Can't speak for the RFM option as I've never used one, but to me that thing hanging out back would be a recipe for me to forget it was there and catch it on something. As for removing the MMM, and as already mentioned, it is a piece of cake. After a few times, I think you would find it takes even less than two minutes. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Lobo56 · Aug 2, 2005

The mower sticks out a good 6' and when you turn you always have to make sure you not going to swing it into something.My old 650 I had a 67 loader so I had to do double duty watching front and back not to hit something. On long straight runs it's great. Also doesn't cut as nice as 62c if you don't have the optional chain stops. This keeps the mower level front to back.

garchib · Aug 2, 2005

....not sure what you mean about chain stops....I have the rear wheel height adjusted perfectly with the draft height and the mower is perfectly level

Dutch445 · Aug 2, 2005

the 62" mower will cut nicely,, even in rough areas.
I don't care for the 261, it's a side discharge, way out behind you on the 3ph.. If you were to go that way I'd recommend a rear discharge RFM.
But, the MMM does go on and off very easily, and is well built, and the best visibility.
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Lobo56 · Aug 2, 2005

It's basically two chains that go on the 3pt hitch to the front of the mower that keeps the front of the mower level.

beenthere · Aug 2, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( two chains that go on the 3pt hitch to the front of the mower that keeps the front of the mower level )</font>

level? or do the chains keep the 3pt arms from dropping below a certain point, thus not having to worry about lowering too far and scalping? Possibly you mean 'level' in reference to the rear of the deck, and not 'level' as in height above ground right to left.

Lobo56 · Aug 2, 2005

The chains keep the mower level front to back. I said they attach to the 3pt hitch SORRY that's wrong. To the back of the tractor at a fixed point.You drop the 3pt. and the chains hold up the front not the 3pt. You drop it, and it drops to the same position every time.

garchib · Aug 2, 2005

My tractor does not have those......my RFM is perfectly level front to back and side to side.....no complaints with it

jcmseven · Aug 2, 2005

Finger Lakes,

I have had both a 62" center mount mower (on a 595) and a RFM on my current machine. Although the RFM is quite a bit larger than that on the 2210 I have some thoughts for you. First, listen to Dutch. He is the man. I would be surprised if JD sells many of these mowers with the Frontier line out there. If I were looking for a RFM for that machine, I would get the I match compatable Frontier, not the 261. They have lots of wheels and rollers and are a snap to attach and detach. They also (in my mind) cut as well as, if not better than, the 62" MMM. The only drawback is that they do protrude some from the back of the machine, which is more prominent in the 2210 because it is a smaller machine. If this does not bother you, then that may be a good choice. I would not choose a 261 over a MMM, though.

John M

garchib · Aug 4, 2005

I would have to agree with you.....while I like my 261 and it does a great job cutting, I did not have a Frontier option at the time. I missed it by a year. Rear-discharge is probably the best route when mowing a pasture.

Dutch445 · Aug 4, 2005

Garchib,
Did you buy the extra gage wheels for the 261? Doesn't make
sense to me that Deere sells them without them,, I guess that's another reason I don't sell many... that pushes the cost up pretty high compared to other RFM...

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garchib · Aug 4, 2005

I am not sure what you mean Dutch......the mower has the neumatic tires that are pretty good size....I got tired of them getting punctured, so I had 'em filled with foam /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dutch445 · Aug 4, 2005

The 261 mower only comes with 2 wheels from the factory... the 2 extra gage wheels for the tractor side of the mower are an option, for more money. I don't think they are worth anything wtihout them,,,, do you have 2 or 4 wheels?

any of the woods/frontier etc mowers I've seen lately come with 4 wheels..

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garchib · Aug 4, 2005

I have never heard of that and only have 2 wheels, but have no complaints. My mower does have roller-wheels for the front of the mower deck all along the front.

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/Attachment?attNmbr=2744M&prodNmbr=127DLV&tM=HO

This URL shows what it looks like

Dutch445 · Aug 4, 2005

This is from the configurator...

Configured Features - Required
BASE MACHINE $2,320.00
2744M 261 3-Point Hitch Side Discharge Rotary
Mower For 790, 990, 2210, 2305, 4010 Thru 4410
and 3120-3720 Tractors.

Configured Features- Optional

Qty Code Description Price
1 BM16230 Gauge Wheel Kit $271.00

I regularly sell 72" Frontier mowers for under $2000.... probably another reason I don't sell many 261 or 272 mowers..

but,, they are a good rugged mower... several of them are in munincipal usage around here

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garchib · Aug 4, 2005

Thanks Dutch for the info.....you learn something every day....what do I get for 271 dollars worth of wheels....does it help that much with keeping it level ? Let me know your thoughts..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif