Trade a new bota deck or sell and buy a new 3pt deck....?

[jimadd]

When I got the little BX, it was in the deal that it came with a new mmm. Now that its here and I have taken it of once but yet to reinstall it, I am thinking twice about it.
Little history....Broke my back in a dirt bike wreck 15 or so years ago, and with this issue I find I am limited on what and how I do things. I have looked at all the videos on youtub an how they go on and off. My biggest issue is moving it around when removed or installing. My wife helped a little and said she didnt think it would be a big deal. And, I know I could have went green and got a drive over deck, but JD's didnt impress me much when looking.
What would you guys suggest? Is the mmm better than any of the rear mount finish mowers out there? Just keep it and deal with it. I can use the bucket to move it when needed. Just wondering what the consensus on this would be I guess. Thanks Jim

 

[85Hokie]

When I got the little BX, it was in the deal that it came with a new mmm. Now that its here and I have taken it of once but yet to reinstall it, I am thinking twice about it.
Little history....Broke my back in a dirt bike wreck 15 or so years ago, and with this issue I find I am limited on what and how I do things. I have looked at all the videos on youtub an how they go on and off. My biggest issue is moving it around when removed or installing. My wife helped a little and said she didnt think it would be a big deal. And, I know I could have went green and got a drive over deck, but JD's didnt impress me much when looking.
What would you guys suggest? Is the mmm better than any of the rear mount finish mowers out there? Just keep it and deal with it. I can use the bucket to move it when needed. Just wondering what the consensus on this would be I guess. Thanks Jim

Jim,

the deck is really a pita....when YOU are not on a smooth level ground!!! HOWever........if you are on flat smooth garage floor - lift the deck, turn the little wheels 90 degrees and then lower and unhook....it is not that bad, still heavy - but if enough room to pull out, not bad. However - I am 53 and whats the word - old? Never had my back broken, so that could be a game changer!

If you need to pull it off a lot - then sell it ( you will take a beating on that ) if you only pull if off once or twice a year and use it ....

A rear hog will be a little easier on you (and or the wife) cause you aint got to climb under the tractor. Then again - you might be able to get some sorta deal with a kubota dealer - trade in maybe???

And the cut will be better with the MMM, unless you get a multi-blade deck for the rear.

 

[jimadd]

I kinda figured I would take a beating on it if I sold it. And I was looking for a rear mount finish mower to replace it with...hmmmmm.....lets just say, they think highly of them.

As for removing the mmm, it really was not that bad. Moving it around the shop is the pain. have not tried to hook it up again yet. Guess I will see if anyone in my area is interested in it and if not, will just just deal with it. Thanks Jim

 

[RCW]

Jim -

Like you, I never gave a RFM a thought until AFTER I bought the tractor with the MMM.

I've pondered a switch, too, but the way my yard is, I'm probably better off with the MMM versus the RFM. I have too much stuff to mow around, and some tight spots that could be a hassle with a RFM. I put deck on in spring, and it stays on until mowing season is over. Where I'm from, that's mid-October (sometimes seems like August).

I've never broken my back, but I do have problems with it sometimes, like many of us.

I put the snowblower on a furniture dolly when it comes off, same with front hitch. They never touch the floor - drop them right on it. Helps moving them around. Could you fashion something on wheels to hold deck upright and move it around. Just a thought....The decks are heavy...

 

[85Hokie]

I kinda figured I would take a beating on it if I sold it. And I was looking for a rear mount finish mower to replace it with...hmmmmm.....lets just say, they think highly of them.

As for removing the mmm, it really was not that bad. Moving it around the shop is the pain. have not tried to hook it up again yet. Guess I will see if anyone in my area is interested in it and if not, will just just deal with it. Thanks Jim

Jim,

why is it is so hard to move in the shop?
not enough room to move ? When you drop it - you do turn the wheels 90 degrees yes? The hardest part is getting the PTO back hooked up, sometimes a little alignment problem is sometimes a pita too.

And yes - the rear mowers are ......pricey!

 

[jimadd]

Jim,

why is it is so hard to move in the shop?
not enough room to move ? When you drop it - you do turn the wheels 90 degrees yes? The hardest part is getting the PTO back hooked up, sometimes a little alignment problem is sometimes a pita too.

And yes - the rear mowers are ......pricey!

Well, considering I really cannot bend over to good from the 3 vertebra I shattered and compressed makes moving anything heavy around a real pain (literally). And yes, I did turn the wheels so it slid out from under the tractor, I even have the pins set so the wheels can turn so can move it under my john boat, But my wife had to help me pull it out from under the tractor and all, and i dont like to have to rely on my wife to help me all the time with this. And yea, the PTO is rough, but its all still doable. Just tossing around a few options....thats all.
I have thought of making a cart for it, and most likely will. I made one for the Backhoe for when its off, so thats not out of the question. Have been looking into ideas on it. Like a strap to hook it with so I can pull it while standing.....
Its all good though....just looking for ideas....And thanks for all the replies....

 

[85Hokie]

the strap idea was one I was thinking of when you said you could not bend over well.

Run a pulley off the wall nearest the jon boat - and then "clip" in on the MMM and pull.

I took my MMM off and "hung" it up against the wall - I got one of these and it made it a simple task :

http://www.amazon.com/Rope-Pulley-B...ie=UTF8&qid=1434766254&sr=8-4&keywords=pulley

I think it is like 7:1 .....but it is a back saver !!!

 

[jimadd]

the strap idea was one I was thinking of when you said you could not bend over well.

Run a pulley off the wall nearest the jon boat - and then "clip" in on the MMM and pull.

I took my MMM off and "hung" it up against the wall - I got one of these and it made it a simple task :

http://www.amazon.com/Rope-Pulley-B...ie=UTF8&qid=1434766254&sr=8-4&keywords=pulley

I think it is like 7:1 .....but it is a back saver !!!

Thank you for the link. I really didnt think about removing it in shop near the boat though and then pulling it under the boat. I took it loose outside the shop and then had to move it into the shop and then under the boat. Thanks again....

 

[Dr Honda]

While all the advice above is good... I guess I'm possibly failing to see the obvious....


Why remove the deck all the time???


I've only removed my deck once to see how hard it was. I've done all my FEL work with the deck on. I just helps with low slung ballast. The way I see it is... if you really needed the extra ground clearance (all the time) then a taller tractor would have been in order. (like a B)


While I didn't break my back... I too feel the pain from racing motocross in my younger life. I have a bad back, a bad knee, 2 bad shoulders, and a bad elbow. And I'm with most of the guys above... it's kind of a pain... but it not bad if you are on a flat surface. (Driveway, or garage) I would never try to take it off over grass.


Just my 2 cents.

 

[tcrote5516]

I sold my MMM and didn't take much of a beating at all. I sold it for $1,000 cash and when you look at the discount I got when buying the BX with the MMM and the FEL I damn near broke even.

I found using the FEL with the MMM on to be a pain. It would get hung up on uneven ground and got me highsided and stuck when my front wheel broke through a small sinkhole/soft spot. It's not made to hang on during FEL work, that kind of abuse just beat the crap out of it.

I don't have any major back problems but I too found the whole install/removal process to be way too much work and not worth the effort. The $1,000 wen't towards a new zero turn mower that I am beyond happy with. Reduced my Kubota from 100+ hrs per year to about 50, reduced my weed wacking from an hour to about 20 min, reduced my mow time from 8 hrs to 4 and the cut quality of the zero turn is far superior. Turf damage is also a thing of the past (my BX would tear up hills and soft ground).

Only disadvantage is fuel, the BX was AMAZING on deisel when mowing. ZT is gas, has tons of power but thirsty.

You need to weigh out the options and see what's best for you but I am very happy I don't have to screw with exchanging heavy implements.

 

[lilguy]

I have A B8200HST with mmm. I'm doing repair/maintenance to deck now and its not as easy now as it was in the 80's when I bought it. I disconnect the deck and lift the frt of the tractor off the ground and roll it out and back in.
Things i did in my 30's are different now that Im in my 60's.

 

[85Hokie]

While all the advice above is good... I guess I'm possibly failing to see the obvious....


Why remove the deck all the time???


I've only removed my deck once to see how hard it was. I've done all my FEL work with the deck on. I just helps with low slung ballast. The way I see it is... if you really needed the extra ground clearance (all the time) then a taller tractor would have been in order. (like a B)


While I didn't break my back... I too feel the pain from racing motocross in my younger life. I have a bad back, a bad knee, 2 bad shoulders, and a bad elbow. And I'm with most of the guys above... it's kind of a pain... but it not bad if you are on a flat surface. (Driveway, or garage) I would never try to take it off over grass.


Just my 2 cents.

I too had my deck on for ALL my work - pushing snow, digging holes and what not, NOW after it is off and a BXpanded armor under it ....I can feel the tractor is a little top heavy......not real bad, but that 300 + pounds made a difference when on slopes.....

now how can I place weigh under there and ....mmmm........

 

[OldeEnglish]

I'm another guy that uses dollies for everything. For MMM I use cheap snowmobile dollies like these...
http://www.sears.com/larin-deluxe-s...235000&pla=&kispla=02816235000P&mktRedirect=y

Unlike a furniture dolly (that I also use for my snowblower), they are low profile so they slip right under the deck. It makes it 1000x easier!

 

[85Hokie]

I'm another guy that uses dollies for everything. For MMM I use cheap snowmobile dollies like these...
http://www.sears.com/larin-deluxe-s...235000&pla=&kispla=02816235000P&mktRedirect=y

Unlike a furniture dolly (that I also use for my snowblower), they are low profile so they slip right under the deck. It makes it 1000x easier!

That looks like the perfect ticket....

makes you say ............mmmmmmmmmmm - might have to get a pair of those!!!

 

[jimadd]

Thanks for all the replies on this. I did figure a way to do it for now since a lot of ideas had been posted. The shop I have is only a 24' wide by 30' long and having the boat, tool boxes, freezer and wifes yard cart and garden tractor in there along with whatever else we can cram in there makes things a little tight. But, I pulled the tractor up next to the boat and raise the front end a little.....pull the deck from under the boat to under the tractor and hook the driveline up, then hook the rest up. When taking it off, I just do the opposite. Still love the little bota though......

I went through this past week and started looking for a rear mower, and cant justify selling mine for half of what a new rear one would cost and then have to add more to get it. So, just have to deal with this one. The more I mess with it though, the less it seems to be a pain. Although, the pto shaft is a little hard to do its not impossible.

 

[City Kid]

I bought a forty acre property with lots of mowing to do last winter.. My friends who mow golf courses said by a Kubota so I did. Before I bought the tractor I told two of my new neighbor's I was thinking of buying a mmm and they both offered me their's because the never use them. I bought an L4060 with a 72inch Land Pride mower on the back. The first time I removed the RMM I took it off in the grass, what a hassle to get it back on! I learned my lesson and try to take it off only in the garage where it's easily moved around on its own wheels on the concrete floor.

 

[businessman]

A used 3 pt mower, because not brand or model specific, will carry a lower price (used) than a brand specific MMM. (Greater availability drives the selling price down.) Many find the underside of the deck, of a 3pt mower, to be much easier to clean than a MMM. Any mower wider than 5' introduces scalping problems, unless your lawn is very level.
As another on this thread has pointed out, Zero Turn Mowers are a boon to the mowing chore. Fast, easy to operate, and saves the tractor for tractor work. Take a look at Country Clipper, especially with your back. Easy decks to clean, because they flip up. Well made, with a good reputation for longevity.
Sell that MMM (you can get top dollar for it, for the reverse of the same reason 3pt mowers do not get top dollar). Get yourself a Zero Turn. And coat that underside with Fluid Film before your first mow.

 

[jimadd]

I actually listed the deck out of curiosity for 1000.00 to see if anyone was interested, but no luck so far. So not going to really push it or give it away.
As for a zero turn, I have one of those also. Its nice to use, but not as heavy duty as the Kubota deck is. Plus, it a real old model thats on its last leg. Plus, I have figured out this mmm I think. Been messing around with it a little more, and think I have a system to do it with. And after looking for a used 3pt and seeing the prices they are asking for them used....my new mmm is looking really nice.

 

[Pappy]

I bought a used Woods rear finish mower and I haven't used the MMM on my BX2660 since. I've thought about selling mine but, like you, I'm not gonna give it away.


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[coachgeo]

now got the same problem. Just bought an old beat up Woods 5' 3pt mower. (to be delivered tomorrow). Can't stand my belly mower. I'm loosing one foot in width but that's ok. Have only got one acre.

Need Tractor for plowing snow and don't need two things that can mow so will also be selling JD lawntractor

Soo..... do I sell MMM. Might be hard to sell is since it fits an L225 which is not so common these days. If sell... for how much?

orr.. noticed on this ol' woods 3pt I just bought it too runs off a belt just like my MMM. I think with some time and scrap metal I could actually convert MMM to similar design as the 3pt I just bought and end up with a 6' 3pt mower. That would be few years from now till I got to it though. Got lots of projects ahead of it. (like rebuilding engine in my L235DT and selling L225)