Go BottomNewbie buying 7800 soon many questions
 | dmnsmith2
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 25 North AL 
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2003-06-02 56269
I am new to the tractor world and will be buying a new BX7800, FEL and MMM. I have 3 acres with some minor sloping. I plan to mow mainly but also there are many unlevel areas that I plan to level. Also will be maintaing a garden. First question, would it be alright to leave the mmm on all the time? I don't see a need to take it off, but thought I'd ask. Some of the sloped areas near the road are a little steep, so how can I tell if I should attempt to mow there without turning the tractor over. Not sure if it is too steep or not and don't want to risk injury. Also what regular maintenance do I need to do on the tractor, ie oil change, fuel filter, etc. and how much do these items cost? Any other tips or info to a newbie would be greatly appreciated.
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| dmnsmith2
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 25 North AL
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2003-06-02 56271
Also, would a MMM be better than a finishing mower. That is would it be more manuverable, less backtracking, etc? Thanks! ....
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| Jelliott
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58 North Georgia
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2003-06-02 56320
dmnsmith,
Just took delivery of a new B7800 with FEL & 72"MMM last Friday. We had several prior obligations this weekend, so I did not get to play with the tractor NEARLY as much as I wanted to, I did manage to put 1.2 hrs on it though.
Regarding the MMM: The problem with leaving it on all the time is that the lift that raises and lowers the MMM is the same one that raises and lowers the 3pt lift on the rear of the tractor - You mention that you want to use the tractor to level eneven areas, this just won't work with the MMM, because when you lower the 3pt mounted equipment, you also lower the MMM.
I removed my MMM so I could use the FEL & a boxblade, it was not difficult to remove, no tools were required, but it was still a hassle. I could not roll the deck out from under the tractor without jacking the tractor up ~2 inches. The adjustable shafts that the wheels are mounted to are an inch or two too tall to clear the tractor frame. I have the R4 industrial tires, not sure if maybe the ag or turf type may be a little taller such that the shafts would barely clear. I may cut off an inch or so from the shafts on one side of the tractor, it does not appear this would hurt anything, but before I do that I am going to investigate rigging up something to enable me to disconnect the lift from the MMM & hold the mower in the full up position. If you could rig up something to hold your MMM all the way up, it does not appear to me that you would ever need to remove it unless you were working in rough areas where you need over 6 inches of clearance. In my case, if I could lock the mower full up, I probably would not have to remove ever again. If I come up with anything I will post my findings, I have not had time to investigate this mod at all, barely had time to get the motor warm on my tractor. Bear in mind I have the 72" deck, some of my comments may not apply to the 54 or 60" decks.
Regarding stability, I'm a country boy, and have been around tractors for 44 yrs. I'm not sure why, but my B7800 seems more stable than my 2240 Johndeere. When operating on a slope, the pucker factor does not come into play nearly as quickly as on my JD, or any other tractor I have owned. Not sure why this is the case, the CG of this tractor appeasrs to be fairly proportional to that of the larger tractors I have owned, it may be primarily mental, the lower weight/smaller size of the tractor (I know it will kill me just as dead as a bigger machine in a rollover, just won't squash me quite as flat) combined with the open station - it would be a lot easier to jump clear. I would not be uncomfortable mowing on a 20% grade or so, provided I knew the terrain. Hiting a bump, or hole on a grade can tip you over even on a slight grade. Know the area you are mowing, and go SLOW and you should be allright.
Good luck with your 7800, I think you will be pleased.
Jim
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| dmnsmith2
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 25 North AL
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2003-06-02 56337
Jim,
How much did you pay for yours? I will be buying almost the exact tractor here soon, 60"mmm. Thanks! ....
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| Jelliott
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58 North Georgia
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2003-06-04 56555
dmnsmith,
Got the invoice in front of me as I'm typing. Here's the breakdown:
B7800 HST R4 tires: $11,550.50
LA 402 Loader with 54" bucket: $2,700
RC72-27B 72" deck: $2,525
Mid Mount Kit (req'd on 7800 for MMM): $150
Total: $16,925.50
We sell just enough cattle/hay playing at farming to qualify for Ag tax exemption, so I did not have to pay tax ....
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| Jelliott
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58 North Georgia
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2003-06-04 56556
Just noticed that you are looking at the 60" deck, I was too, but my dealer talked me into the 72". Said that with the mower being significantly wider than the tractor, it's easier to mow around flower beds, fences etc. Don't have to wory about running over stuff with the tractor. Made sense to me although I have not mowed with my tractor yet. My dealer seemed to be a real straight shooter, he advised me to o with the 72" deck even though he had the 60" mower in stock & had to order the 72". I'll post my impressions after I mow for the first time, probably this weekend if it will ever stop raining! ....
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| zedosix
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 23 Ontario, Canada
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2003-06-05 56741
I also have a B7800 and mine has the locking device to hold the MMM up and keep it up. It becomes completely independant of the rear pto. Yours should have this locking device also.
Zed ....
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| Jelliott
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 58 North Georgia
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2003-06-09 57143
zedosix,
Do you have the 72" MMM? Mine has the locking device to hold up the linkage when the MMM is not installed, but it did not appear that I could raise the mower high enough to engage the pins with the mower installed. I'm sure my manual will cover this, I have been busy as a one armed paper hanger since taking delivery on my tractor. I've only got 1.6 hrs on it, and have not had time to fully check out the features nor read my manuals. If you can indeed lock the 72" MMM in the up position, that would work great for me. ....
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