BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE

   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE #1  

Brown Dog

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2014
Messages
1,099
Location
North GA
Tractor
John Deere 5115M 5101E H260 5115M 540M all MFD
I wanted the WIDEST Single deck RFM I could buy for my Farm.

I was concerned about it turning slower blade spd than my Bush Hog 84" at 18,266 rpm.
The Befco 14,998 BTS didn't cut as smooth as I was use to :-( ..... So

I ordered the 30mm Larger Gearbox Pulley for the smaller 90" mower, and replaced the stock 250mm pulley.

The stock belts fit jus fine with a gearbox adjustment.

It Now Cuts MUCH SMOOTHER with Finer Clippings.

You can hear the difference & see the clippings being slung out much farther.

I can run one gear higher where my ground terrain allows it.

I read the Govn't regulates manufactures blade speed. I wouldn't doubt it.

I'm estimating my blade speed should now be around 16,650

Btw, ONLY Whitting-Higgins makes a 4-tang socket to fit these spanner nuts. I wasn't paying $240.00 for a socket. Yea I kno - use a punch.
I did & it cracked the nut removing it, so I ordered a 30mm-1.5 HEX Jamb nut from Fastenal with red loctite.
The 3 blade spindle nuts that hold the pulleys on, are 35mm-1.5
These are impossible to find in a thinner HEX nut.
I found that a Honda CB1000 motorcycle rear axle nut is this same size BUT I didn't remove these.

I was so excited with the Superb fine cut - I jus had to share. Thanks
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE #2  
What HP rated tractor are you pulling that cutter with?
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#3  
My John Deere is 48hp.
I put Tubes in frt tires & filled Completely FULL with water & antifreeze.
It does a FINE Job 10hrs every week :)
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Fixin to mate this Befco RFM up to a JD 4720 66hp (eng) E-Hydro tranny.

I'm gettin Excited :D
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE #5  
My John Deere is 48hp.
I put Tubes in frt tires & filled Completely FULL with water & antifreeze.
It does a FINE Job 10hrs every week :)

You shouldn't ever fill tires completely full. Always leave about 25% for air, or above the top of the top of the rim. If completely full the force of every little bump gets transmitted to the whole tire. You'll likely blow your tire off the rim when you hit a bit of a bump. Not to mention a rougher ride without the air to compress & soak up some shock.
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#6  
It's is a little firm but I don't see it could blow off the rim lol
I've been using them since 2001 with NO issues.

The traction is SO Much better on steep hills :D
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#7  
My JD 4720 tractor has Economy PTO Setting to get 540rpm out back at 1650 engine rpm.
When mowing with the Befco RFM, I'm running the Engine speed at 2.000 rpm which makes about 650 PTO rpm.
This speeds the blade tip speed up an additional 3,000 rpm.

I'm into my second season cutting like this & Well Pleased.

The increased blade speed now sounds like a commercial Exmark Zero Turn mower blades & about the same speed also.
MUCH BETTER CUT NOW :)
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE #8  
You shouldn't ever fill tires completely full. Always leave about 25% for air, or above the top of the top of the rim. If completely full the force of every little bump gets transmitted to the whole tire. You'll likely blow your tire off the rim when you hit a bit of a bump. Not to mention a rougher ride without the air to compress & soak up some shock.

Completely correct. Every OEM tractor manual I've seen & the instructions for Bio Ballast & Rim Guard state the same.

You need some air in there to compress & absorb shock.
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I exaggerated some lol
I did have to put a little air in them to have correct psi.

I'd GUESS ther 80-90% full of water / Afrz mix.

It's un-believable how much it helps.

I wouldn't ever go back.
 
   / BEFCO C70-110" RFM = FINE MACHINE
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Any more BEFCO C70-110" owners out there ?
 
 
 
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