Right Tractor for Woods RM990?

[LittleBear]

What size tractor do I need to comfortably run a Woods RM990 week-in, week-out, year after year without putting a strain on the tractor? Woods says 25 hp at the pto is the minimum. However, I am skeptical of this claim.

 

[BlueToy1]

I'm not sure what size it is, but what I've read says 5 pto hp per foot of mower.

 

[FL_Cracker]

I just purchased a RM990 to pull behind my new Kubota L5030(50HP) but I was told I could get by with about 35hp. Remember when woods say 25hp they are talking PTO HP and many cases that's a 30-32HP tractor.

Extra HP may waste a few thousand dollars, but it sure helps extend the life of a good tractor.

BUT, too little HP just doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go 35+ and be safe....

Charles

 

[bigtractor]

I did a demo of a 990 to a golf course on a Kioti 35 it needed more to move really move along with her.
They bought it and it runs great behind their Kioti DK45.
They love it!

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I did a demo of a 990 )</font>

What a testimonial to the Woods finishing mower that folks shop for tractors TO FIT THE MOWER! If this keeps up, I'm going to have to get one myself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RickB]

IMHO, the 990 is the only thing Woods builds that is worth buying. They really got it right. I use a David Brown 885 on mine, 42 PTO hp. runs it very well. Probably could get by with 5-8 HP less or so. The 990 is fairly heavy though, front ballast can be a concern.

 

[rbargeron]

We've had a 990 since 1998 - count me in the group that bought a bigger tractor to accomodate the RM990. 25 pto hp really is not enough - unless it's flat lawn, not too dense, and bone dry.

The target markets for the 990 may be municipal parks, groundskeepers and commercial operations where they mow more often and need less power. Woods may think 25 is enough for that. But for mowing fields it takes 35+ pto hp to really feel like enough.

RickB's comment above is important about the 990 being heavy. A 40 or 45 hp tractor has more mass to handle it beter than a 35. We use our 990 behind a 59 hp Kubota L5450 - even that is not too much tractor. A neighbor's L4310 also handled the 990 well.

While we're talking about the 990, Woods blades are a little pricey. Agri-Supply has aftermarket blades for it - although it took a bit of digging to find them. Their part number is 41131, listed right now for $8.49 each (about $5 savings per blade) link here Performance and durability is identical to oem as far as I can tell. I think this price is too good to last - so I stocked up /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

 

[LittleBear]

My friend has a Woods 990. Once I saw it in action, I have to get one. It mows wet or dry just the same, no clumps of grass, lawn looks great, and maintenance is simple. But first, I want to get the right tractor to pull it. I'm looking at the JD5205 and 5325 models.

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( IMHO, the 990 is the only thing Woods builds that is worth buying. )</font>

That's an interesting opinion, and a little on the unusual side.

I've owned 3 Woods implements, and I am coveting more of their worthless stuff. I think their FEL's and box blades are right up there with the best. Maybe not "The Best", but so close it really doesn't matter. Their brush hogs aren't chopped liver either. Where am I going wrong? Am I setting my standards too low?

 

[rbargeron]

A few minutes at Woodsonline shows they make 2 or 3 different duty ratings (weights) in many products. The Brush Bull for example is available in standard, medium and heavy duty. Brush Hog does that too, i.e. a 6' 286 is a much different product than a 6' Squealer.

The Woods RM-990 is offered in commercial weight and quality only. To my knowledge, Woods does not offer a lighter duty version of this machine.