Deere MX 7

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 26, 2017

I came a cross a deal on a lightly used Deere MX7 and while its a little larger than my 110's rated for, I'm seriously considering buying it.
I'm aware of the MX5/6 gearbox failures but don't recall seeing any on the MX7. Anyone know of a MX7 failure? I'd mostly be cutting over grown pasture so I'm thinking I'd be ok with running the MX7 on my 110. Deere claims its 1300 lbs and the 110 has over 3k lift at the ends so I'm thinking I'd be ok in that dept as long as I was smart about it. Am I missing anything?

Matt

Fallon · Jan 26, 2017

7' rotary cutters are a ******* size. Most people find a dual spindle 8' pulls easier than a single spindle 7'. Much more compact, maneuverable & lighter (or at least the weight is closer to the 3pt).

Personally I prefer big mowers. You go slower (trivial on a HST, hopefully you have the right gears otherwise, usually so) but cover the same acreage. Going slow means less bouncing & is generally easier on you & your machine. The downside is maneuverability.

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 26, 2017

That's always been what I've heard too, the price on this one is just to good to pass up. I'd certainly prefer a 6' or dual spindle 8'. But the condition and price are just too good.
The current owner is running it on a 28 hp tractor and while it struggles in thick stuff he says it works fine. I figure even if I buy it an dislike it, I could easily get my money back and then some.

jenkinsph · Jan 26, 2017

The gearbox made in Spain was the worse one. I would look and see what is on the MX7, pretty sure the country of origin is stamped on all of these gear boxes. Other than that it looks like new and while it will be a load to spin up I don't think you will have a problem using it on your 110.

Fallon · Jan 27, 2017

Looks nice. I'd go for it if the price were right, even if it a ******* size.

brown40 · Jan 27, 2017

Those are "last generation" JD decals, so I'd wager you're looking at the Spanish version of the Comer box. I believe the 7, 6 and 5 all use the same 1.69:1 box. The Chinese remake was a larger diameter, but also brittle, and also with the sharp 90 degree retaining clip slot holding everything in that shears just above where the retaining bolt is on the box you're looking at. IF it broke, a fix would be about the price of a new unit--because its JD's proprietary box, design, and parts--there is no cross-compatibility.
I would accept a free MX, knowing I'd likely be paying for it again, but I got burned on mine--a lot of people did.
My advice: unless you know without a doubt you will never hit a thing but light grass: Don't do it. Mine sheared on a rotten stump with 30 hp on the PTO (max hp--I'd guess I might have been pushing 20-25 at the rpm mine bit it).

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 27, 2017

It looks there is a solution to the broken shaft issue.

John Deere MX5, MX6 Replacement Output Shaft, Gear Set, and Seals | eBay

bspeedy · Jan 27, 2017

Wow - Half a grand for a replacement shaft. I love a deal, but I guess I'd let it go with that risk. I guess it depends upon the cutter. For a couple hundred bucks for the cutter it might be worth it to save 20% in mowing time for a couple of years until it goes boom. Maybe it lasts for 20 years. Feel lucky?

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 27, 2017

bspeedy said:
Wow - Half a grand for a replacement shaft. I love a deal, but I guess I'd let it go with that risk. I guess it depends upon the cutter. For a couple hundred bucks for the cutter it might be worth it to save 20% in mowing time for a couple of years until it goes boom. Maybe it lasts for 20 years. Feel lucky?

The MX 7 is almost 5k new so $500 for a new shaft "if" it fails seems reasonable from my point of view. It looks like that the shaft fits MX5 through MX10's and I can find any documented shaft failure on the MX7 through MX10.

I stopped by my Deere dealer today and discussed the MX7 and the 110. They felt it would work fine up to rated capacity so long as I pay attention to ground speed.
They also had a used Woods Brush Bull 7' lightly used but they want $1500 more than the MX7 would cost me.

It seems like a good deal to me on the MX7 all around.

Matt

DocDryden · Jan 27, 2017

Like you said if you don't like you can sell it

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 28, 2017

I looked around a bit more to see if I could find any other cutters that would suit me and came across a Bush Hog 3008 semi mount for a excellent price also. And while its a bit heavier the semi mount would alleviate a lot of the weigh concerns. So based on the MX series failures does the Bush Hog make more sense? The only downsides to the Bush Hog are the width of my trailer and it's a day trip away from me. I've never owned a twin spindle before anything I should know about them before considering?

Matt

brown40 · Jan 28, 2017

Not having that weight all hanging off the aluminum sounds great. I haven't heard of many problems, but I think about it sometimes when the BH or blade give her a good tug.
If I could wish a new cutter, it'd be a "top shelf":Brown (too big), Bush Hog, Rhino, Land Pride or Woods.
Bush Hog's the "Coke" of rotary cutters.

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 28, 2017

brown40 said:
Not having that weight all hanging off the aluminum sounds great. I haven't heard of many problems, but I think about it sometimes when the BH or blade give her a good tug.
If I could wish a new cutter, it'd be a "top shelf":Brown (too big), Bush Hog, Rhino, Land Pride or Woods.
Bush Hog's the "Coke" of rotary cutters.

I don't believe the rear end of 110's are aluminum, the bush hog's look well built but not super common in my area. I think theres only one dealer that sells them local to me an he doesn't stock much. It's mostly Woods and LP.

Matt

buickanddeere · Jan 28, 2017

GreatWhitehunter said:
It looks there is a solution to the broken shaft issue.

John Deere MX5, MX6 Replacement Output Shaft, Gear Set, and Seals | eBay

Thanks for the link. I am nervous operating my MX6 , bought it about a week before finding out about the stress riser on the shaft.

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 29, 2017

buickanddeere said:
Thanks for the link. I am nervous operating my MX6 , bought it about a week before finding out about the stress riser on the shaft.

No problem, I may post it in the MX5/6 thread just so owners know there's another option.

Matt

rustyshakelford · Jan 29, 2017

I think the mx7 is a fine cutter. Miss mine everyday

Brett

bspeedy · Jan 30, 2017

The BH3008 is a great cutter. My dad runs one on his NH. Not sure you have the PTO horsepower for it, though. I'd be more comfortable with a 60 hp tractor using that one.

GreatWhitehunter · Jan 31, 2017

bspeedy said:
The BH3008 is a great cutter. My dad runs one on his NH. Not sure you have the PTO horsepower for it, though. I'd be more comfortable with a 60 hp tractor using that one.

Well it looks like I'm gonna find out. I pulled the trigger yesterday on the Bush Hog 3008-2 semi mount. I will mostly be mowing pasture grass and will take smaller pass's if needed. It's certainly a cutter that will grow with my next tractor purchase. My hogging experience is that the HP ratings are more guidelines than rules anyways.

Matt

CADplans · Feb 3, 2017

I am a little issue shy about Deere mowers,,
This one was setting on a Deere dealer lot in the used equipment section yesterday,,,
NOT the scrap section,,,

What in the world happened to it? and why would they try to sell it?