Mid Mount Mower vs Brush Hog: Which One Should You Buy?
Mid mount mowers and brush hogs compared on cutting job, decks and upkeep, with two mid-mount part examples from the listings reviewed.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 Mower Blades Set of 3 for 60 Inch9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
YDDVEHI Heavy Duty Brush Hog Cutter Blades9.4/10View on Amazon - 3
8TEN Idler Pulley for Grasshopper Mid Mount Mowers9.5/10View on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a mid mount mower if you mow open lawn ground and want a finished cut from a deck that rides under the machine. Choose a brush hog if you clear heavy brush and rough growth where a finishing mower would struggle. The two machines do different jobs, and the listings here cover the mid-mount side with parts, not whole machines.
A property with open lawn in front and rough growth along the back fence asks for two different machines, and mid mount mower vs brush hog is the choice between a deck that rides under the machine and a cutter built for the rough stuff. This comparison covers each side, then the mid-mount examples from the listings reviewed.
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Massey Ferguson 3606888M2 Mower Blades Set of 3 for 60 Inch Mid-Mount Mowers
A set of 3 OEM blades for 60 inch Massey Ferguson mid-mount mower decks, replacing part number 3606888M1.
Read the full review
The Massey Ferguson example is a set of 3 OEM blades for 60 inch mid-mount mower decks, replacing part number 3606888M1. The bullets give approx dimensions of 20.5 x 2.375 x .25 inches with a 0.75 inch center hole, and list fitment across Massey Ferguson, Agco and Challenger models.
Pros
- Set of 3 blades for a 60 inch deck
- OEM part, replaces 3606888M1
- Fits Massey Ferguson, Agco and Challenger models listed
- Approx dimensions 20.5 x 2.375 x .25 inches stated
Cons
- Blades only, not a mower
- No weight stated
- No warranty term stated
- Fits only the models listed, so check the model first
8TEN Idler Pulley for Grasshopper Mid Mount Mowers
An idler pulley for Grasshopper mid-mount mowers, with a 5.11 inch outer diameter and a 0.38 inch shaft diameter.
Read the full review
The 8TEN example is an idler pulley for Grasshopper mid-mount mowers, including models with a 61-inch deck, with an outer diameter of 5.11 inches, an inner shaft diameter of 0.38 inches and a height of 1.59 inches. The listing states a weight of 5.1 pounds and compatibility across many Grasshopper mid-mount and front-mount models.
Pros
- Fits many Grasshopper mid-mount models listed
- Outer diameter 5.11 inches, shaft diameter 0.38 inches stated
- Height 1.59 inches stated
- Listed weight of 5.1 pounds
Cons
- Pulley only, not a mower
- No warranty term stated
- Fits only the Grasshopper models listed, so check the model first
- Single pulley, so a full deck rebuild needs more parts
Mid mount mower vs brush hog side by side
| Factor | Mid mount mower | Brush hog | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it cuts | Finished lawn grass on open ground | Heavy brush and rough growth | Sides differ by growth, not by brand |
| Deck or cutter | 60 inch and 61 inch decks in the listings | Not stated in these listings | Only mid-mount examples are listed |
| Example parts | Blades and idler pulley | No brush hog example listed | Both listings are mid-mount parts |
| Power | Not stated | Not stated | Neither listing states power |
| Weight | 5.1 pounds for the pulley example | Not stated | Only one listing states a weight |
Figures are as published on each listing, collected 2 November 2026.
What each side cuts
A mid mount mower is a finishing mower: its deck rides under the machine and cuts open lawn ground to a finished look. A brush hog is a rough cutter: it clears heavy brush and rough growth along field edges and ditches, where a finishing deck would struggle. The dividing line is the growth itself: soft lawn grass points to the mid-mount deck, and woody, overgrown ground points to the brush hog.
Decks and parts
The listings here are mid-mount parts, not whole machines, and they show how deck sizes differ by model. The Massey Ferguson example is a set of blades for 60 inch mid-mount decks, and the 8TEN example is a pulley for Grasshopper mid-mount mowers, including models with a 61-inch deck. No brush hog example is listed here, so the brush hog side has no deck or cutter figure in this comparison, and any brush hog figure would need its own listing.
Power and upkeep
Neither listing states power, so this comparison states no engine, battery or PTO figure for either side. Upkeep on the mid-mount side, as far as these listings go, means replacement parts: blades wear and get replaced, and a pulley wears and gets replaced. Neither listing states a warranty term, so warranty scores zero on both examples.
The two examples
Acreage and terrain fit
MF 60-Inch Blade Set
8TEN Idler Pulley
Matching It to Your Property
- Match replacement blades to the deck width on the listing: the Massey Ferguson example fits 60 inch mid-mount decks.
- Match a pulley to the mower model on the listing: the 8TEN example lists Grasshopper mid-mount models, including 61-inch deck models.
- Open lawn ground suits the mid-mount deck, while rough growth along edges suits the brush hog side.
- Both examples are small parts, so storage is a shelf or a toolbox, not a shed bay.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance, build quality, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. A factor the listing does not state scores zero, which is why both examples score zero for safety and warranty.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF 60-Inch Blade Set | 9.6 | 28 | 20 | 20 | n/a | 0 |
| 8TEN Idler Pulley | 9.5 | 26 | 19 | 19 | n/a | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Safety counts only for powered gear or where the listing states safety features; where it does not apply, the score is taken over the remaining 90 points.
Many owners on acreage keep both kinds of machine: a mid mount mower for open lawn ground, and a brush hog for the rough edges. If you mow open ground, see our riding mowers guides, and for clearing larger areas see our brush and field mowers guides.
Never mow a slope steeper than the maximum your manual lists, and mow up and down slopes rather than across. Use the ROPS and seat belt where the machine has them (follow the manual on when a folding ROPS may be lowered), never carry passengers, keep children and pets out of the yard while you mow, and disengage the blades before reversing. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC riding lawnmower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Can a mid mount mower clear brush?
It struggles with heavy brush. A mid mount mower is a finishing mower for open lawn ground, while a brush hog is built for rough growth, so heavy brush points to the brush hog side.
What deck sizes do the examples cover?
The blade set fits 60 inch mid-mount decks, and the pulley listing names 61-inch deck models.
Are the examples whole mowers?
No. Both examples are replacement parts: a set of 3 blades and one idler pulley, not machines.
Do the listings state a warranty?
No warranty term is stated on either listing.
Can a brush hog finish mow a lawn?
Not well. A brush hog is built for rough cutting, while a mid mount mower gives the finished cut on open ground.
More mowing guides
- Best Brush Hog Blades (2026): 5 Replacement Picks
- Best Bottle Jack Mower Lift (2026): 4 Picks for Deck Work
- Best Mower Lift with Winch (2026): 5 Picks for Deck Work
See the riding mowers guides and the brush and field mowers guides.
