SDT, I grew up in the Red River Valley with small farmer parents, uncles, neighbors, etc. I started operating tractors around the age of 8 on a Farmall Cub. I can remember growing up and using Dad’s MM “U”, Allis Chalmers WD40, Massey Harris 55, The Farmall M, 800 Case, and even an Allis Chalmers G to cultivate the onion patch. Uncles and neighbors I worked for had JD Bs, As, Rs, 720s and a 4020. Another had small C0-OPs (Cockshutts), a Farmall B, among others long forgotten. Those types are considered parade tractors now but there’s still a few in use here and there just to keep them in running shape. Other than the small Farmalls none were considered or used for mowing, save a sickle mower do do ditches, barnyards and pastures. Certainly none were hydrostatic drive.
But the OP was asking about info for mowers behind his possible new LX “compact”. I didn’t say all my 3 point implements could be hooked up/unhooked in 3 minutes or less. But my Bush Hog RDTH60 can. What makes it so easy is what they call independent floating swivel pins for not only the top link but for both side links, too. With the side link pins turned to the inside it really is easy to be within an inch or two of “ideal” and the swivel function still allows the lift arms to be connected. Same for the top link. The PTO shaft slips right into place.
When one does it frequently, you get really good at knowing how to line up and stop at just the right distance. You’ve stated before that you never (almost) take your mid mount mower off during mowing season which pretty much makes it a dedicated mower. That would be considered a luxury for my situation and then I would agree between the MMM and the RFM, the MMM might edge the other out.
The OP asked for opinions from ones who had used both types on the same property and I gave him mine for my reasons. And I said either type could be better depending on multiple variables that should be considered.
You stated that you’ve never seen a 3 point implement that could be hooked up or unhooked in 3 minutes. Again the post was about compact tractors and I stated that my mower can meet those times for the reasons mentioned above. Do I have others in the same category? Yup. I can think of my TSC 3 point carry all frame, my TSC 3 point boom, my little 25 gallon 3 point sprayer (when empty), my pine needle rake….to name a few. All because they’re light in weight and very easy to manipulate into position while I’m still reasonably healthy. I think they classify as 3 point implements for my compact tractor.
The OP asked for our opinions and it appears he got quite the varied responses, which is great! He has to decide which works best for his situation. Very few situations are completely alike and each is normal for that particular person wherever he is located. But that’s only my take and opinion.
It sure would've been nice to have this thread to read way back when instead of the JD dealer only telling me I needed a MMM to do finish mowing. I was a little to young to not question his opinion and ask him all the "What If's". All my other tractor experience didn't relate to the newer modern compacts.
