Got My 4' Rotary!

   / Got My 4' Rotary! #1  

JimBinMI

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
1,008
Location
Coldwater, Michigan
Tractor
2015 Kubota BX25D-1, New Holland TZ18DA
Got My 4\' Rotary!

I finally bought my rotary mower for my NH TC18, 18.5 hp and 14 pto hp. I picked it up yesterday afternoon fully assembled, greased, lubed. It's a Woods XT148, 48" Light Duty Rotary, out the door price was $575. It is shear pin protected, and it doesn't have a stump jumper, that's an option, but I don't have any stumps in my field!

Hooked it up and used it for 1 1/2 hours last night and the TC18 handles it effortlessly! I mowed on my field of approximately 5 acres, only mowed about a third of it so far. Field is overgrown grasses, wildflowers, some baby oaks, brush, bushes, hasn't been mowed in a few years, stuff was between 2'-4' tall. Set the tractor at pto speed and took off, did not go full out but at a decent pace and the engine never bogged, only heard the cutter cutting. Did see my temperature gauge creep up a little and stopped, cleaned the radiator screen and the temp went back down right away. At this rate and my field, I believe the TC18 could handle a 5' rotary, but the 4' is recommended by manufacturer. Just takes longer with the 4' and I think I was grinning the whole time! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Weight of rotary is approx. 385 lbs. and there are 3 points to attach the lift arm pins, the dealer installed them at the center point which so far seems to work well. With the top link adjusted properly for mowing, I can still lift the cutter off the ground. I also have about 190 lbs. of front weights and NO loader. Very happy with this purchase! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Just thought I'd give a report! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #2  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Now if I could just talk Pop into one. And we are talking the whole rig. I went to help him run a tiller Saturday. Another used gas Sears with a separate engine at the rear for the tiller. He can't even operate the lever to raise or lower the tiller. So here was two guys tilling and when we were done, the job this thing did was terrible. I've turned that much soil with a fork by hand. Not to mention keeping two gas tanks full. This unit he is running makes 5 in 7 years.
Not only is there a dollar or two flying out the window, the wasted energy is adding up too fast. I asked him if he would like to do the same and cut grass for as little fuel you use in the mighty TC18. He is still pondering the answer. I think it is time Pop and I visit the dealer and run that blue hydro. We do have room for two in the barn.
I'll bet that finished cut looked great even thou it is not a finish mower. (i think?) Watch out for bugs in your teeth when smiling that much. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #3  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Jim,
If you keep purchasing new attachments than playing with them,than you won't want to return back to work in a couple of weeks./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Glad to hear your have fun this summer./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Stay safe and/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Thomas..NH
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #4  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Jim,
I know you have been thinking about this mower for a while, although I have to wonder if your timing is an effort to fight the "back to school blues"? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Keep us up to date on your new toy. I've been looking myself.
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #5  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Maybe you could talk Jim into lending his to your pop for a week or two just to try it out./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But I don't think we could pry Jim out of the seat right now even if we both tried. So guess your on your own to talk pop into a new one.

Jim good luck with your new mighty mower and may you hit no tires or stumps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Gordon
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary!
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Gordon,

Thanks, only little trees with tiny stumps so far! One inch diameter scotch pines cut just about like the heavy grasses. Used it again tonight until dark, had to use the headlights! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #7  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

There's nothing like bushhogging land for the first time without knowing where the ruts, holes, stumps, etc. are located. :) The safety rules says to walk the land before mowing but I didn't because this pasture hadn't been touched for 13 years by the previous owner. It's full of ants, bumble bees, chiggers, vines, and thorny bushes of all types and descriptions. Can't even see the ground 2 feet in front of you the weeds are so thick and tall. My JD4300 HST with 513 5' hog took it all in stride. Just went VERY slow so I could back out if the front wheels fell into a hole or something. Only got stuck once in a sandy dry creek bed and had to dig out with shovel and the 4WD was a big help. :) Quite an experience....did alot of sweating from fear of the unknown....never knew what was in front of the tractor! Now I know how Dr. Livingston felt the first time he entered the jungle! haha
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary!
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Used it again last night until I needed the headlights! Rained yesterday so stuff was wet but mowed just as well as when dry. Going out right now to try and finish mowing this field for the first time! When I get done, how long do I have to wait to mow again? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #9  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Jim - I can relate. The mind is a funny thing. The first time I used my rotary mower I was tooling around in my biggest pasture, the one I had tried to mow with my riding mower and got around the perimeter once in one hour, then quite disgusted in the ineffectiveness of the machine to do the job. Went right out, bought the rotary, and I swear this is true, as I was riding around I said to myself, "self, you know if Cindy Crawford and Heather Locklear both waltzed into this pasture right now, buck naked, with a signed note from my wife telling me it is OK, this is her birthday present to me, I honest to god would have told them they were just going to have to wait until I was done mowing here, can't they see I am busy??? I guess that makes me weird, huh?/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / Got My 4' Rotary! #10  
Re: Got My 4\' Rotary!

Must be nice. I got home from work today and my son was cutting one field. He finishes, then my wife takes it and goes out to cut the next. Maybe I can get a turn this weekend.
 
 
 
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