Ford 3000 - need advice

[tlj87]

I've got an early '70s Ford 3000 tractor that I use at a 100 acre camp. Up until recently, we were using a Ford 930A 6' finish mower. Well, someone was mowing and hit a root and bent two of the blades (which are nearly impossible to remove even with an impact wrench). After working on this mower for a while and getting nowhere, we deceided it might be time to get a new finish mower. We've been using the Woods MD80 80" brush hog in the meantime.

Anyhow, I'm looking at the Woods RD8400. However, I see that they now have a PRD8400 as well. Looks similar, except for incresed tip speed and a different hitch assembly. The hitch assembly on the PRD8400 is a clevis type, and i'm wondering how I will be able to connect this to the 3pt on the Ford 3000. The tractor has solid stablizer bars that run parallel to the lift arms and clip on to the implements pins. Does anyone know if the RD8400 style hitch(es) are avalible on the PRD8400? Or would I be able to connect the stablizer bars to the outside of the clevis hitch?

Also, is it worth the extra cost to get the chain shielding? I am pretty sure we should order the front roller, as the ground isn't perfectly flat.

All I know is that a new woods mower will cut a lot nicer than the 20 year old 930A!

Thanks in advance.

 

[tlj87]

I've got an early '70s Ford 3000 tractor that I use at a 100 acre camp. Up until recently, we were using a Ford 930A 6' finish mower. Well, someone was mowing and hit a root and bent two of the blades (which are nearly impossible to remove even with an impact wrench). After working on this mower for a while and getting nowhere, we deceided it might be time to get a new finish mower. We've been using the Woods MD80 80" brush hog in the meantime.

Anyhow, I'm looking at the Woods RD8400. However, I see that they now have a PRD8400 as well. Looks similar, except for incresed tip speed and a different hitch assembly. The hitch assembly on the PRD8400 is a clevis type, and i'm wondering how I will be able to connect this to the 3pt on the Ford 3000. The tractor has solid stablizer bars that run parallel to the lift arms and clip on to the implements pins. Does anyone know if the RD8400 style hitch(es) are avalible on the PRD8400? Or would I be able to connect the stablizer bars to the outside of the clevis hitch?

Also, is it worth the extra cost to get the chain shielding? I am pretty sure we should order the front roller, as the ground isn't perfectly flat.

All I know is that a new woods mower will cut a lot nicer than the 20 year old 930A!

Thanks in advance.

 

[dubba]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The tractor has solid stabilizer bars that run parallel to the lift arms and clip on to the implements pins )</font>

I think at the worst case scenario, you would have to use longer hitch pins & connect your stabilizer bars at the outside of the clevis.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, is it worth the extra cost to get the chain shielding? )</font>

Are there any people within 500 ft of this thing while you are mowing?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All I know is that a new woods mower will cut a lot nicer than the 20 year old 930A! )</font>

Debatable /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If you want a new mower, by all means buy it.

Have you thought of the 90" bush-hog style mower? I don't know anyone that has one, but with the free swinging blades it might be possible to get over that root next time.

 

[dubba]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The tractor has solid stabilizer bars that run parallel to the lift arms and clip on to the implements pins )</font>

I think at the worst case scenario, you would have to use longer hitch pins & connect your stabilizer bars at the outside of the clevis.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, is it worth the extra cost to get the chain shielding? )</font>

Are there any people within 500 ft of this thing while you are mowing?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( All I know is that a new woods mower will cut a lot nicer than the 20 year old 930A! )</font>

Debatable /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If you want a new mower, by all means buy it.

Have you thought of the 90" bush-hog style mower? I don't know anyone that has one, but with the free swinging blades it might be possible to get over that root next time.

 

[tlj87]

I did look at the RM990, looks like a nice mower. The problem is, I don't think that mower will fit in the barn.

I think a dedicated finish mower will serve us well (as it has in the past). The 80" woods brush hog we are using now (which is as old as the tractor) does leave an OK cut as it has two spindles and four blades. It only has one tail wheel and side skids though, which allows scalping to occur.

I contacted the guy at the local tractor dealer, and they have the Woods PRD8400, Bush Hog RDTH84, and the Land Pride FDR2584.

If money is not really a problem, which would you go with?

 

[tlj87]

I did look at the RM990, looks like a nice mower. The problem is, I don't think that mower will fit in the barn.

I think a dedicated finish mower will serve us well (as it has in the past). The 80" woods brush hog we are using now (which is as old as the tractor) does leave an OK cut as it has two spindles and four blades. It only has one tail wheel and side skids though, which allows scalping to occur.

I contacted the guy at the local tractor dealer, and they have the Woods PRD8400, Bush Hog RDTH84, and the Land Pride FDR2584.

If money is not really a problem, which would you go with?

 

[tlj87]

Alright. I came up with another concern today.

Has anyone had trouble with clearence between the front casters and the rear wheels of their tractor. The Ford 3000 has a wider stance than many of the modern tractors (compact utilities).

The finish mower we've got now doesn't have front caster, just skids and two rear casters.

Does anyone know the distance between the front casters on the P/RD8400?

 

[tlj87]

Alright. I came up with another concern today.

Has anyone had trouble with clearence between the front casters and the rear wheels of their tractor. The Ford 3000 has a wider stance than many of the modern tractors (compact utilities).

The finish mower we've got now doesn't have front caster, just skids and two rear casters.

Does anyone know the distance between the front casters on the P/RD8400?

 

[Soundguy]

You could add those quick attach links to your 3pt arms and gain a few inches..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

You could add those quick attach links to your 3pt arms and gain a few inches..

Soundguy