Rotary Cutter 30hp 5ft thinking about a 6ft.

[grnspot110]

I'm assuming you're using a 3-pt cutter, what is the weight capacity of the 3-pt? I use a 5' on my JD 790 (27 HP), the 6' Rhino cutter I had was just too heavy for the tractor, so I went back to an old JD 5', 3-pt.

My 790 shows wide open throttle as being within the top end of the PTO range, so I run it wide open. Tractors are made to work wide open! ~~ grnspot110

 

[greg_g]

If you're mowing with a 5' rotary cutter at 1800 rpm - AND are satisfied with the results - you need a finish mower, not a bigger rotary cutter. For general duty rotary cutting, the 5hp/ft @ 540 rpm is sound advice. If you find that you need less than than, you might be using the wrong mowing machine

//greg//

 

[StewartGA1]

First, your tractor is rated at 2600RPM and you should be fine running it at that for extended periods. If you are only mowing at 1800RPM, you are not even coming close to maximizing what you already have. The TC30 is rated at 25.5 pto HP so I would think the rule of thumb...5HP per foot would mean that you would probably be better served staying with your 5 foot and running at higher RPM and maybe being able to mow in a higher gear. I do think you could use a 6' behind a TC30 but I am sure it would be all the tractor would want. I suggest trying the 5 footer again and running at the rated RPM's and seeing if you can mow faster.

Thanks for the info. I'm glad I didn't just spend the money and not be happy with the results.

 

[StewartGA1]

Just an observation, but a 6' only covers 20% more area than a 5'. The interesting thing is you probably wouldn't be able to run it (well) at 1800 RPM, so you would kind of be forced to boost your speed as well. So a 20% wider cut at say 30% more RPM would have an effect, but the nice thing is you can get the 30% for free now.

Your right! Just need to stick with what I've got. Thanks.

 

[StewartGA1]

3 pt. hatch lift capacity is 850 lbs I think. It's got plenty of power (my second quote). Thank you for the help!

 

[StewartGA1]

I also would stay with 5' bush hog.Espeicially since you state you only go there once a year.Remember a properly maintained(sharp blades, etc) 5' -ter will work better than any 6'-ter not keeped up.
I run a 6'(sq172) behind my L3400 Bota with no problem but the places I maintain I visit "frequently".The first time I bush hogged these places it was a bear(slow golng).

Boone

Yes, I do need to sharpen the blades, it one of my jobs this winter.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The last time I took off my bush hog blades for maintenance, I used the FEL to stand it on it's side. I then removed the blades, took them in the shop to the vise and ground the edges back to a factory bevel and reinstalled them all without blocking up the bushhog or laying on the ground. Took maybe an hour and a half to complete the task with help from my BIL.

 

[Ken45101]

I don't think an additional foot will speed things up significantly. I went through that debate last year, 6 to 8 foot? Wasn't worth the change. I went to a 15' batwing and a 95 hp tractor. Now THAT speeds things up! I would have never kept up with the pastures this year with the 6 footer.

Ken

 

[StewartGA1]

The last time I took off my bush hog blades for maintenance, I used the FEL to stand it on it's side. I then removed the blades, took them in the shop to the vise and ground the edges back to a factory bevel and reinstalled them all without blocking up the bushhog or laying on the ground. Took maybe an hour and a half to complete the task with help from my BIL.

This thing is so old stump jumpers weren't invented yet. It had the small pto female when I got it. I had to cut it and the small Ujoint off that they don't make any more and weld all new parts on the front end of the driveshift. I plan in using a hand held grinder (110v), FEL and jack stand to get the job done. Question: how do I get a picture of my rig on my page. Am I missing something hear? It's problem right in front of me.

 

[MikeInEburg]

I plan in using a hand held grinder (110v), FEL and jack stand to get the job done.

Remember that rotary cutter blades are generally not sharpened like a lawn mower blade. The sharpest side of the wedge generally tapers to a 1/16'' flat "edge". You don't taper to a true sharp edge.
Mike