Rotary Cutter What size rotary cutter for 40hp tractor

[WVH1977]

I am looking at purchasing a Woods BB600X rotary cutter for my New Holland TC40 (35 pto hp). Is this too much cutter for my tractor? I will be cutting pine saplings that are 3 years old mixed with briars and broom straw. I would say the majority of the pine saplings are 2" or less in diameter and some that are a little larger. I have been told by two dealers that my tractor will handle this size cutter. I am wondering if I would be better off with the mid-duty BB60X or BB72X. Most of the cutting will be done on flat land, about 3 acres. There is a slope of about 5 to 10 degrees that rolls for about 400 feet that I will be cutting on in the future, mostly trails. I just want to make sure I purchase the right piece of equipment for the size tractor that I have. The tractor has a FEL and a 3 pt. lifting capacity of 2400 lbs.

Thanks for any advice/input that will be provided.

 

[mapper]

Your tractor should handle a 60" cutter with no problem, I use a 60" cutter on my 34 hp tractor without any problems.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a Ford 3000 that puts out somewhere around 38 engine hp. I run a Branson 6' med duty with no problems on it. I have a 24 hp Branson 2400 that will run a 5ft in 3rd of 6 F gears, PTO rpm.

 

[Cougsfan]

A 5' mower is probably about right. A 6' mower would probably work on your tractor too, but is borderline too big, particularly if you are doing the heavy duty cutting like you mentioned .

 

[Wagtail]

A 5' mower is probably about right. A 6' mower would probably work on your tractor too, but is borderline too big, particularly if you are doing the heavy duty cutting like you mentioned .

What Cougsfan said. As a rule of thumb you size those rotary implements by the width between your tyres (tiller/slasher/mower).

Your terrain may allow you to go a wee bit bigger. A call to your dealership will confirm.

 

[Oldoak]

I also agree with Cougsfan. I personally would not go with a 6'.

 

[WVH1977]

Thanks for the comments so far. I am really leaning towards the 5' cutter. However, my tractor width is 6' and I would be sacrificing covering my tracks. I used to have a 5' tiller and my tractor handled that extremely well. I upgraded to a 6' tiller to cover my tracks and the tractor handles it well but not as good as the 5' tiller I had. The BB600X weighs 1068 lbs. The BB72X weighs 800 lbs.

 

[Citydude]

I would want to cover the width of my tires. Your tractor will run the 6' cutter.

 

[KYErik]

I would want something that would cover my tracks. I think the 6' will be fine, you can always creep through the heavy stuff in low gear.

Go a little faster with the 5' or a little slower with the 6' and cut the full width of the tractor.

 

[WVH1977]

I appreciate all the responses I have received so far. Thank you for the feedback. I went back over to the property yesterday that I just bought and really looked it over good. Most of the pines are 2 to 1/2" diameter and quite a few 3" pines. Carried my wooden rule with me. LOL. I am really leaning towards the Heavy Duty BB600X. It weighs 1,068 lbs. and will cut up to 3". The property I bought is 16 acres and I will be doing lots of heavy clearing and cutting trails over the next several years, after the initial 3 acre clearing. I think once I get it cleared the way I want it I will sell the BB600X and get the mid-duty BB72X to do maintenance cutting. I really think the heavy-duty BB720X would be a bit much for my tractor. I know my grapple bucket will get a good work out as well. Decisions, Decisions.