hp/ft cutter requirements

southerndeere · May 10, 2015

My dad and I are looking to upgrade from our current 353 series kuhn cutter to a 4000 an upgrading tractors. Local jd has a 6150m and a 6170r. We have always went by the 10hp/ft of cutter. The local sales rep an my dad say the 6150 is fine which I know it will be but I have always had the idea of more is better. And the 6170 is not much more money. I don't get on here but I like hearing what other people think.

SPYDERLK · May 10, 2015

If youre talking about bushog type cutters, 10HP/ft is awesome on a heavy duty cutter that has a gearbox rated 2 to 3 times that. I have a lightweight 5' HD cutter made by JD in the 60s. Ive used it from 9hp/ft down to 4hp/ft. Its hard to imagine where more than 10/ft would be needed. ... Maybe thick grass?
,,,larry

southerndeere · May 10, 2015

Its a discbine for hay. An someof the grass does get pretty thick when it raina a lot and we can't cut it as often.

PoorPlowboy · May 10, 2015

The 10hp/ft is a good rule of thumb for a discbine. The reason why it has higher requirements than a brush cutter is the speed at which it is effectively used is higher, and the weight of the tractor takes a good bit of HP to move at a fast pace.

SPYDERLK · May 10, 2015

PoorPlowboy said:
The 10hp/ft is a good rule of thumb for a discbine. The reason why it has higher requirements than a brush cutter is the speed at which it is effectively used is higher, and the weight of the tractor takes a good bit of HP to move at a fast pace.

Ah-h ... They condition too dont they?

southerndeere · Jun 6, 2015

SPYDERLK said:
Ah-h ... They condition too dont they?

It is a mower conditioner.

southerndeere · Jun 6, 2015

Took a while but we finally bought the 6170. Suppose to be delievered to farm Tuesday an if rain holds off we will be cutting with it.

RedNeckRacin · Jun 6, 2015

I think you made the right move. You can never seem to have to much hp with a discbine.

southerndeere · Jun 6, 2015

RedNeckRacin said:
I think you made the right move. You can never seem to have to much hp with a discbine.

I agree. It may have been a lil much when we were looking at a 13 ft kuhn. But we didn't buy it an now my dad is looking at a 956 deere. That is a big mower an we will need all of that 6170 I'm sure.