Mid Mount Mower or 3 pt? B2150

[TonyIN]

I'll apologize now - This may have been asked and addressed many times before but my search is just not working on this computer...

Have a B2150 with FEL and currently pull a very heavy 6ft finish mower. It's a bit much for this tractor especially up the hills, but its what I had.
Been thinking of a mid mount mower, 5 ft. Someone on here gave me great info on the right deck #'s too.
May have found one but am not familiar with the ease of install/uninstall. I know I would not want the mid mount on there for loader work which is about a once a week thing it seems. Ground clearance would get me.
How easy/time consuming is it to install and remove the mid mounts on these? A couple pins and a pto or sweat, busted knuckles and words I shouldn't be using?

Thanks
Tony

 

[OldeEnglish]

A 3pt mower would be a hell of a lot easier to mount/dismount than a MMM. If you have a hard surface like a garage floor or paved driveway using low profile dollies like ones for a snowmobile make moving the MMM in place a lot easier. Hooking up the PTO shaft is down right a pain in the ass under the tractor. You can definitely do loader work with it on as long as you don't need the ground clearance. Personally I would never buy a MMM again. We actually just bought a riding mower in green so that the grass can get cut while we do a lot of back hoe work.

 

[aerolland]

I'm in the process of cramming a RC54-71B under my 2150 with loader and backhoe subframe. I found a killer deal on this mower with grass catcher and did not care if it would 'fit' or not. It definitely does not fit as-is from the factory, but minimal modifications.

The loader is useful to lift the front of the tractor to install and remove the deck.

You can see how tight the deck is under the loader frame.

Had to lengthen the front deck mount and the PTO shaft. Still working on shortening the rear attachment arms, have not mowed with it yet.

 

[Bulldog]

Personally I wouldn't even think of a mmm unless that's all the tractor did. And even then I still prefer a rear mower to be honest. A quality rear mower will cut just as good and so easy to put on and take off. My$.02

 

[Missouribound]

When I bought my B2320 last year I opted for the 3 point finish.
I didn't like the clearance issues with the mid-mount as you mentioned.
Since then I have discovered:
The rear discharge keeps all the crap out of my face on windy days.
The 3 point finish mower is a 3 minute off and on with no crawling under the tractor.
There are no wind rows to deal with.
The cut is every bit as clean and neat as any mid-mount tractor or rider.

I kept my little Cub Cadet for trimming and some areas difficult to maneuver in. If you adjust your 3 pt accurately you know exactly where it will cut so getting close to an object isn't an issue. It's a quick learn.

 

[TonyIN]

Guys... thanks for all the good info!

Been using a 3pt for years on the older iron along with a commercial walk behind I resurrected. Gets the job done, but with the new orange auction find, I was looking to make it even easier.

I think I'll stay with the 3pt and maybe look to sell/trade it for a 5ft. I like the 6 ft cut but its a Massey (made by Woods from what I understand) and has to be one of the heaviest 3pt finish mowers I've used. Just seems a bit much for the 2150.

Thanks again

Tony

 

[Bulldog]

I'd say that is a bit much for that size tractor. I have a 6' myself and it's a pretty good load on my L3000 in heavy grass. To bad your not closer, I know where a 5' is sitting for sale right now.

 

[cerlawson]

Using the loader to raise the front end for mower installation may work fine, but dangerous. I never trust any hydraulics to stay where put. The least I'd do is put a temporary support in place and leave that front hanger off while shoving mower under. Instead I just rise up the mower wheels and avoid the risks.

 

[aerolland]

Certainly agree! I never get in a crush zone unless all 4 tractor wheels are back on the ground. I have to lift the front to get the caster frame of the mower under the loader frame. Only time I'm 'under' the tractor is for the PTO hookup and that can be done while it's back on the ground.

I did prop it while I modified the backhoe mount, but still wasn't under the tractor fully...

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[bcp]

When you change your tractor someday...

If you like your 3pt mower, you can keep your 3pt mower.

Bruce