MMM or rear 3 pt?

[Grumpyjoe]

Many have an opinion bu I am curious of specs. I prefer the rear 3pt mower so I can take it on and off easily. The MMM I would have to modify my belly cage and stuff. Not a big problem but not what I want when we mow weekly out here. I own 11 acres and it is rolling land with a lot of tree line I need my Rotary cutter to keep clean with. I am planting real grass lawns now and will need to finish mow it rather than hogging.

On teh BX25 the mid PTO is 1040 where the rear is 540RPM. So with a rear mower are the pulleys changed to increase blade speeds for cleaner cuts of the grass? The mower decks look quite similar but I have not seen them side by side. I liked the idea of the MMM and a grass catcher but it would be a lot of work each week for mowing. The only reason I would catch clippings is for mulch bins.

So can anyone comment on PTO speed vs Mower Blade speeds on MMM and rear mowers as well as quality of cuts?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The blades on both decks spin at the same speeds, they just have different gearing in the gear box to change it.

 

[Grumpyjoe]

That is what I thought but I could not find the specs anywhere. So is there any advantage to the MMM over rear? I read many find tight corners are easier with MMM and I am not worried there. But is service easier, cheaper, parts more available? Or will it just be a preference on how I want to attach it?

Like I said it is a larger farm of 10 acres. Eventually I will be mowing 5-8 acres of it. I still change attachments frequently sometimes 3 a day. I am getting much quicker at it. The MMM would take extra work as the belly pan would also come off each time then be reinstalled.

 

[D2Cat]

My opinion is, belly mowers are nice, but for dedicated tractors. If you (or me!) are changing implements frequently you don't want to have a MMM under you.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Three point is much faster to change out.
Parts and costs for repairs is about the same.
I think the rear mount finish mowers are built a little tougher for most models.
Get the largest you can for the HP available.
One note because the MMM PTO spins faster there is a HP required difference between the 2 and some times the MMM can mow a wider path with less HP required, so check specs.

 

[tempforce]

if you are doing a large area, and already have a three point. a option is to have a second set of blades, with a finish mow cut on them. it won't be perfect, but will work.

the best option for a nice finish, is to use the horizontal rotary blades, in a gang mower, depending on the size and horsepower. you can connect a three mower gang, or five mower gang or if you have a large tractor a gang with as many units as it will pull.
the more you units you pull and power with the pto, the wider swath you can cut per trip...

http://www.promow.com

these are self powered, a pto unit will increase your cost... but will cut better.

 

[Grumpyjoe]

Thanks for he thoughts and replies. I am going towards a 6 foot finish mower 3 point mount. I hooked up my little swisher and did a cut over the weekend. Never felt it behind the tractor. Yes it has its own motor and it is smaller than what I will use but I can go slow and 2 of the 6 foot mowers I found over lap 1-2 inches for a cleaner cut. The ease of a 3 point seems to be the biggest selling point for me. I still have a wash I will have to use the bush hog on but the rest of the area will be a finis cut eventually. Looking like this Fall I will be planting a new field so I have some time.