TC45D Rotary Mower

[stubblefield]

I recently purchased a TC45D and have been looking for a 6 foot rotary mower. Wallace Manufacturing sells a light duty and heavy duty rotary mower; both have stump jumpers and a laminated rear wheel. The light duty has a 40 hp gearbox and the heavy duty has a 75 hp gearbox; the light duty weighs approx 650 lbs and I do not yet know the weight of the heavy duty but would estimate it at at least 1000 lbs. Light duty has a shear pin and heavy duty has a slip clutch. I believe a person is generally better off buying heavy duty but I am concerned about the hydrostatic transmission and the hills using the heavy duty mower. I am leaning toward the light duty simply because I believe the tractor will handle it better going up and down the hills. I will occasionally get in some fairly rough brush. The heavy duty would cost approx $250 more than the light duty. I do not have a farm background and am at the point where one minute I think I should buy light duty and the next minute I think I should buy the heavy duty. Your suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

[DONOTDELETE]

i recently bought a TC40D and was headed towards a HD rotary mower until the dealer advised me that he had just sold a 45D with a HD mower to a guy who had some pretty steeply sloping land, like i have, and that the extra weight of the HD caused the tractor to be quite light and a little dangerous on the slopes, ive just racked up 30 hours on mine in the week since its deliverly and have to say iam more than impressed with the LD mower, i would say though to look for a brand that has a slip clutch, as mine has, I have been lead to believe they are much better

hope ive been some help

Justin

[Bird]

Stubblefield, in determining whether to get the light duty or heavy duty, I think the first question would be "what do you intend to cut with it?" If you're cutting weeds and grass and little saplings of an inch or so in diameter, the light duty should be quite adequate, but if you intend to cut 2" or larger saplings, I'd say go for the heavy duty. I wouldn't worry about the hydrostatic transmission with either one, but the weight of a heavy duty on hills could certainly be a consideration. The slip clutch is undoubtedly "better" (especially if you're cutting big stuff) and costs more, but don't forget that some maintenance is required to keep it working right. Personally, I've stayed with shear pins (cheaper to buy, no maintenance required, and I'm cutting small enough stuff that I've never sheared a pin).

Bird