That is somthing that I never thought about. I also have a tc30 with 5' bush hog. Normally when I cut shorter or thinner grass I run the engine at around 2000 rpms with is slower than the indicated 540 rpm. My engine does not bog down nor is it lugging. How is it doing more harm than good? I do have to agree with most on using the 5 footer. When I cut overgrown property the 5' is about all the tc30 wants and I do run it at the 540 rpm. Mine is a 9x3 trans and usually run it in high range and 2nd gear.
Rotary Cutter 30hp 5ft thinking about a 6ft.
- Thread starter StewartGA1
- Start date
That is somthing that I never thought about. I also have a tc30 with 5' bush hog. Normally when I cut shorter or thinner grass I run the engine at around 2000 rpms with is slower than the indicated 540 rpm. My engine does not bog down nor is it lugging. How is it doing more harm than good? I do have to agree with most on using the 5 footer. When I cut overgrown property the 5' is about all the tc30 wants and I do run it at the 540 rpm. Mine is a 9x3 trans and usually run it in high range and 2nd gear.
I have an L3240 HST and have no problem pulling a 6 ft BMB that is over 30 years old. I have had the BMB for over 20 years and used to pull it with a AC D17. I still cannot get over the difference between the 3240 and the Allis. The only concession that I made was new universals and seals (as well as blade sharpening) in the BMB. It is a "pull-behind" rather than a three point, so that is a little different, but you have to drive carfully with a pull behind to avoid tight turns. I run between 500 to 540 PTO RPM at variable speeds (max about 5 MPH) and cut everything in my path. It is a beast. In my opinion, tractors should be run at rated RPM.
Redgoatea
Gold Member
I run a 6' brush hog on my JD 870 that has a 25 hp PTO. I spent a few hours last week mowing down a 1/2 acre wild blackberry patch. It chewed everything up just fine without flinching. I did just sharpen the blades but I guess I'm still young cause I just unhooked it, squatted down, grabbed on and flipped it up on it's side against the barn. 
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Ken45101
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I run a 6' brush hog on my JD 870 that has a 25 hp PTO. I spent a few hours last week mowing down a 1/2 acre wild blackberry patch. It chewed everything up just fine without flinching. I did just sharpen the blades but I guess I'm still young cause I just unhooked it, squatted down, grabbed on and flipped it up on it's side against the barn.
Must be a light duty unit, LOL. My 6' medium duty Woods weighs in at 861 pounds per tha manual. Even in my younger days I couldn't lift that up!
As for RPM speed, my Bush Hog manual warns that running at less than 540 may cause excessive wear on the blade pins. I assume they are talking about the blades being pushed back in heavy cutting rather than powering through the material.
Ken
TNhobbyfarmer
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Red, you are the man. It makes my back hurt just thinking about flipping that thing over manually. I bet you don't have any gray in that red gotea. Oh to be young again.......I run a 6' brush hog on my JD 870 that has a 25 hp PTO. I spent a few hours last week mowing down a 1/2 acre wild blackberry patch. It chewed everything up just fine without flinching. I did just sharpen the blades but I guess I'm still young cause I just unhooked it, squatted down, grabbed on and flipped it up on it's side against the barn.
Redgoatea
Gold Member
TNhobbyfarmer said:
Actually the gray showed up about five years ago and it's spread to about half of it. But I guess it is a light duty unit, manual says it only weighs 474 lbs.
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