Well guys, it's getting close with the new tractor purchase! I sold my B2620 yesterday and plan on finalizing a deal this week on a L3560. You have given me good advice on remotes for the tractor. The final decision is about a rear mount finish mower. I have about 4 acres that is too rough for my zero turn, and will probably remain that way indefinitely-too many other projects going on. I have been mowing it with the 2620 and a 5' finish mower. Very satisfied, even if I don't mow for a couple of weeks never a problem mowing as fast as the ground allows me. I am wondering if the 3560-28 PTO hp-would be better with a 6' or 7' rear finish mower. I'd just continue to use the 5' mower but it is about played out. No complaints-I bought it 9 years ago for $500, put about $250 in it replacing a couple of tires with solid ones, a spindle, etc. It is just time for a new one- anybody have experience with a tractor the size of the 3560 and a finish mower?
No I haven't. The land that I'm mowing is all grass, and I already have a rotary cutter. Just looking to maintain a nicer cut. The property is a former ag field. I mow about 5 acres with a 60" zero turn-smooth enough so that I do it in about 2 hours. I'll eventually work at smoothing that up even more-they'll be some restoration after construction, and I will probably start with an extra acre bordering the house. The back 4 acres is rough and about a half acre is too wet to mow until June-I hit that piece with the bush hog then. I plan on building a house there next spring. Although I don't see myself using the tractor and mower to mow it all, it certainly would be useful if the zero turn ever broke, or if I fell behind on mowing. It's been my experience that a rear mount mower with rear discharge can cut 6" grass and disperse the clippings well.
I've been researching them extensively and they get rave reviews for both finish cut and in taller grass. Several YouTube videos comparing all three out there. Y blades or hammer blades are interchangeable. You should have the pto hp needed for a 60-70" flail.
You can get a 6' mid mount mower on a B series, which you have a heavier tractor. I think you should be able to handle a 6' with ease. I believe it would probably pull a 7' fine but I'd hate to tell you to get one and you would be unhappy. I think there is a pretty good jump in price when you step up to a 7'. On a side note, I got a 5' finish mower to flip. My BX2360 with 17.7 PTOHP pulls it with ease even up a fairly steep hill. Kubota only recommends a 4' rear finish mower on a BX, so I think they are usually conservative. Most people say 5hp per foot, but my BX is 3.54 with the 5' finish mower. I really think I could pull a 6' with the BX. Another thing to think of is how well did your B pull the 5' mower? Now you have 9 PTOHP more.
Well I went with the 7'. Got a great deal on it, only a couple hundred more than the 6'. My B pulled the 5' fine, even when I was mowing higher grass-no problem driving as fast as the ground would allow. I know that 5 hp per foot is used for bush hogs, but I think 4 may be more correct for an RFM. I guess I'll find out!
