BX23 Rotary mower match?

[nasdaqsam]

Is a 5' Woods rotary mower to big for the BX23? Or would I be better off with a 4'?

Intended uses:

Right now is to cut down high weeds and over growth of several building lots. These lots have been cut 2 to 3 times a year for the past three years so nothing real bad here.

I buy and sell property all the time so would like something a little tougher in case I need to knock down something larger. Although I can not see myself knocking down a small forest.

Also I get into lots that can have hidden things to hit so I need to be prepared for that. Most lots will be under 1 acre.

Thanks

 

[Jinma354]

If its a finish mower you may be ok with a 5 foot but if its a rough cut mower or brush hog its way too big. In a rough cut a 48" is as big as I'd want to pull around on my BX23.

 

[nasdaqsam]

That is what I thought. Thank you for the input.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm pretty comfortable with my 48" but it's possible you could run a 60" if you're just doing rough cutting with the back raised well above the front in tall stuff. I try to get a finish cut on my weeds so I set the rear a 1/2" or less higher than the front which puts quite a bit more drag on it. Also, the BX pto engagement is quite abrupt and feathering engagement seems tough to do for me and the 4'er is a lot of mass to get spinning. They say you need 5hp/ft of hog and that seems to work in my situation. As a note, I opted to get an over running clutch for mine just to make it easier on the pto brake when disengaging.

 

[nasdaqsam]

Thanks for the reply.

I just ordered the Woods 48" with slip clutch. $ 1,250 delivered and installed at my home. I'm not sure if that is a good price or not.

I went 48" because I do not have that big an area to begin with and some of the spots I go to are tight.

Is an over run clutch the same as a slip clutch?

 

[HomeBrew2]

That should work good for you!
A slip clutch goes on the implement end of the pto shaft and is a fuse just like a shear pin. I just have a shear pin.
The over running clutch goes on the tractor end of the pto and only allows rotation in one direction ... like a ratchet. The tractor end stops when the pto is disengaged but the pto driveshaft end free wheels and lets the hog wind down.

 

[nasdaqsam]

Homebrew,

Is it advantagous to get one of these for my set-up?

It sounds like it would easier on the tractor.

Thanks

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm glad I got the ORC. I think it saves the pto brake some wear ... I can't quantify it though and it's probably not worth the $80 it cost me to some folks. Some folks have had probs with ORC quality (I have not).
Did you get front and rear guards and a gauge wheel(s)?

 

[nasdaqsam]

I guess I will wait and see if I think I need it.

The unit came standard with the front rubber guard and he is ordering and throwing in the front one. (I mentioned if I got hit with a stone I wouldn't be able to go spend more money with him /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

It has the guage wheel, I am not sure if that was standard or if he just puts them on all of them or not and he options in the slip clutch on all the units he sells.

This a very large (at least for our area) tractor dealer. My parents families (both sides) have been farmers in the area for many many years so they treat me pretty good. Especially since the Kubota and related accessory's are my first purchase from them. They have bent over backwards for me.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Sounds like you're in a great situation there. Enjoy!