Can't decide X748 or 2305

[arrabil]

I don't think an 1100# tractor can pick up a 5' flail mower four feet out. And they're hydraulically maneuvered which is the weak point of anything smaller than a 3000 series. And who makes the adapter to fit the mid-PTO? Assuming its not hydraulically driven too, which would mean the X700 doesn't have enough ports to operate all the functions at once. And where does one get mounting brackets for it?

Sorry to spoil your otherwise good idea, Gittyup.

 

[Gittyup]

An X700 can be equipped with CAT1 3ph and rear PTO. No need to use the mid PTO. And it has two hydraulic ports with separate controls for each. I think one is shared with the 3PH lift. That leaves one to control the flail offset.

Weight of Flail is 750 lbs. Counter weights on the front could easily balance this. Don't know what the lift capacity is of the x700.

It would certainly be an interesting setup for sure.

 

[jenkinsph]

Builder,
Haven't seen pictures of the property in question but is there any chance you can be paid to contour the banks to allow for mowing the edges of the stream? I would wan't to consider atleast tapering the banks where cave ins are likely to happen. This appears to be the real issue you are having in that more landscaping needs to be done in order to efficiently maintain the grounds.

And yes I know some people have $500 to spend and others have $50,000 to spend but they all wan't it to look good.:laughing: I try to cultivate customers who are pleasant to work with and can pay me enough to make a profit, for these customers I do whatever needs to be done. The ones who are lacking in the above I don't have time for.

 

[arrabil]

An X700 can be equipped with CAT1 3ph and rear PTO. No need to use the mid PTO. And it has two hydraulic ports with separate controls for each. I think one is shared with the 3PH lift. That leaves one to control the flail offset.

Weight of Flail is 750 lbs. Counter weights on the front could easily balance this. Don't know what the lift capacity is of the x700.

It would certainly be an interesting setup for sure.

A 2305's 3pt lift capacity is 681# and the X748 is basically the same tractor in a different package. You're also forgetting that most of the flail weight is four feet to the side, not directly behind or in front. So you'd need to ballast the X700 with as much weight as it already weighs. As for the hydraulics, can you imagine operating the offset with 1.7gpm? And I can't imagine its even PTO driven, you'd have to have a pretzel of driveshafts for that, so now you need to split 1.7gpm between 3pt, offset, and mowing.

 

[Gittyup]

A 2305's 3pt lift capacity is 681# and the X748 is basically the same tractor in a different package. You're also forgetting that most of the flail weight is four feet to the side, not directly behind or in front. So you'd need to ballast the X700 with as much weight as it already weighs. As for the hydraulics, can you imagine operating the offset with 1.7gpm? And I can't imagine its even PTO driven, you'd have to have a pretzel of driveshafts for that, so now you need to split 1.7gpm between 3pt, offset, and mowing.

You are right that the weight issue might be a nonstarter. But, you are incorrect on the PTO thing and the hydraulics. Check out the flails. They use a PTO drive shaft with gear/chain transfer. The one's I'm looking at do not use hydraulic motors. Also, the flail would only be moved out and then left there for long durations. So, speed of hydraulics isn't an issue, and very little pressure is needed to move the flail. I operate a dump trailer with 18" or so of travel on a hydraulic cylinder with my 425. Tractor hydraulics move it quite fast even with 1000 lbs of dirt in it, and I think the X700s have actually been upgraded from what the 400 series has. The PTO isn't an issue. The hydraulics aren't an issue. The weight might be, especially lifting it. If it can lift it, with the right counter weights, it would work just fine because it doesn't really extend that far out to the side. Most of the weight is still behind the tractor. The tractor weighs close to 1300 lbs. With 5 40 lb weights, that'd be like 1500 lbs. That's twice the weight of the flail. It would be fine - if it can lift it. If it is 681 lbs, then it won't work without going to an even smaller size flail.

Man that sure is a puny lift capacity for the 2305. Sure Glad I bought my Kioti at 1600+ lbs of lift for the same money.

Builder, they use to make spacer for the AWS' that move the wheels out in order to clear tire chains. I wonder if those would allow you to use a 7-iron deck? Or might they make it worse? Just a thought.

 

[Builder]

Guys, great points, but if I buy a flail, it'll be a bigger one mounted on my M7040. My 7040 is used to cut the fields at the same location anyway, so why buy a really small flail for the 748, when I can get a more versatile, bigger flail for the 7040 for probably the same price and cut along the stream gorge from a safer distance in A/C comfort with tunes instead of the 748.

I hate to throw gas on the fire, but probably the best choice for me is a commercial zero-turn. LOL

 

[Builder]

Builder,
Haven't seen pictures of the property in question but is there any chance you can be paid to contour the banks to allow for mowing the edges of the stream? I would wan't to consider atleast tapering the banks where cave ins are likely to happen. This appears to be the real issue you are having in that more landscaping needs to be done in order to efficiently maintain the grounds.

And yes I know some people have $500 to spend and others have $50,000 to spend but they all wan't it to look good.:laughing: I try to cultivate customers who are pleasant to work with and can pay me enough to make a profit, for these customers I do whatever needs to be done. The ones who are lacking in the above I don't have time for.

This customer gives me 20-30K in other work per year, so cutting their farm at "cost" is worth it to me. one less "other" contractor on their property giving them ideas or undecutting my prices.

 

[Johndeere3720]

if your thinking commercial ZTM, look at the Dixie chopper mowers. :thumbsup: They can even go up to 30 mph! :Shocked: Plus with a haevy duty deck and foldable ROPS, it would not need to be cleaned often and you would still be same near the creek. Thse mowers also have an option of turf or traction tires (not R4s or R1s) that look like they could pull this thing through some soft ground if needed.

 

[jenkinsph]

This customer gives me 20-30K in other work per year, so cutting their farm at "cost" is worth it to me. one less "other" contractor on their property giving them ideas or undecutting my prices.

I can identify with that.

 

[Builder]

if your thinking commercial ZTM, look at the Dixie chopper mowers. :thumbsup: They can even go up to 30 mph! :Shocked: Plus with a haevy duty deck and foldable ROPS, it would not need to be cleaned often and you would still be same near the creek. Thse mowers also have an option of turf or traction tires (not R4s or R1s) that look like they could pull this thing through some soft ground if needed.

That really makes the most sense, but I really want a traditional platform for other implements (I think :laughing: ).

Like I said before, all my equipment seems to carry the "swiss army knife" theme to increase versatility & save money.