3400 vs 4400

[swampvol]

Originally Posted by Gamer1524

Are you sure you are correct about the 3 pt hitch capacity only being aorund 800 pounds for the L4400. The lititure shows to have 2870 lbs at lift point and 2310 lbs 24 inches behind LP. The cutter weight is right at 1095 lbs and is rated to cut 3 inch diameter.

Here is the link
http://www.bushhog.com/ContentFiles/.../RC295-297.pdf

Actually, if you look in the Kubota owners manual it lists maximum implement weight...and it is way lower than the actual lift capacity.

[N80]

Originally Posted by swampvol

Actually, if you look in the Kubota owners manual it lists maximum implement weight...and it is way lower than the actual lift capacity.

That's correct. The specs talk about weight at the lift point and 24 inches behind the lift point. So sure, you could handle a 1500 pound box blade with ease, but a considerable amount of a mower's weight is way beyond 24" behind the lift point. All that weight out there puts a lot of stress on a 3pt hitch, especially when its raised and you're bouncing down the road. Look at pages 4 and 5 of your manual. They lay it all out.

I personally would not put an 1100 pound mower on my L4400. Other's here may have a different opinion. Some contend that if the tractor is balanced properly then the extra weight is okay. I'm still not 100% convinced. You still have to consider the lift components and hydraulics too. I just recently got a disk that weighs just shy of 800 pounds. The hydraulics lift it but you can feel the tractor 'squat' when you do, yes, even with the loader on the front. When you make a turn, you feel that weight 'wag the dog' too.

I personally would consider a lighter mower.

[krackerjack9]

I just had a guy try to clear out some Texas sage by my place with one of those dual mowers and things went pretty good cutting some thick grass, but when he started hiting that brush well things didnt go so well. I have a L4400 with a Rhino 172 brush mower, and it dose a far better job than the dual mower he had.. the tractor was a JD Im guess a 55hp so I know it wasnt the power that was the problem. As long as I keep the rpm at 1800-1900 and stay in 2nd low or high im good on anything pretty thick.

[Gamer1524]

sorry for asking but I still don't know what you mean by the term dual mower...

I was also looking at the squeerler line 6 foot mower..it's about 200 pounds less and about 1/2 the price of the bush hog 296..but you sure can tell it's alot lighter duty...I would hate to spend 1300 on a cutter only to hit a rock or two and dent the thing...I am open to other brands..but perfer a medium duty cutter

[N80]

Apparently BH makes an 8' mower with two gear boxes and two sets of blades. But, it weighs 1100 pounds and is only rated to cut 2" material. It does, however, come in a pull-type.

I've gotten by quite well with a light duty mower with a tiny gear box...although its deck thickness is decent at 10 gauge and it has guard chains and a laminated tail wheel. It is only rated to cut 1" material but I've cut lots of 2" pines, gums and persimmons. I've hit my fair share of rocks, stumps and ant hills too.

I'm not trying to convince you to buy a light duty mower but you may want to look around and find the lightest weight medium duty mower you can find.

Check out this Rhino, it is under 1000 pounds:

260

Oops, that's a five footer. The 72" is close to 1200 pounds. Sorry.

[N80]

Have you looked at the BH 286? That's a medium duty and weighs in at 942 pounds and has a gear box rated to 110 hp. I'd go that direction, or something similar to it. The JD MX series is close to 1100 pounds.

[Gamer1524]

My two issues with the 260 Rhino are as follows are
one it's only a 5 foot cutter and two the top of the deck is not smooth...I am really sold on a smooth deck for ease of cleaning. it weighs 998 pounds and that is only 100 less than the BH 6 footer cutter

[Gamer1524]

Originally Posted by N80

Have you looked at the BH 286? That's a medium duty and weighs in at 942 pounds and has a gear box rated to 110 hp. I'd go that direction, or something similar to it. The JD MX series is close to 1100 pounds.

Thanks for the info...I did not know they made another line in-between the squeeler and the 296 series...this looks alot more of what I am looking for...will call dealer and see what the cost is on this

[N80]

Originally Posted by Gamer1524

...will call dealer and see what the cost is on this

You better be sitting down.

[Gamer1524]

sitting down was right..talked to dealer today..they tell me the 286 is a new cutter...only 200 less than the 296..and not much lighter...and they have no idea when they can get ....and I was told it would be red even when they get it