Can my tractor haul a large rotary cutter?

[Black Sheep125]

I was worried about my PTO hp also when I bought my rotary cutter last year. I ended up buying a Woods BB600X. I have 35 PTO hp and have used the cutter a lot since buying it. It will eat up pine saplings and brush like they are not there. I probably would of been fine with a BB60X or BB72X also but wanted a heavier duty cutter for the type of work I am doing with it.

That is a very nice rotary cutter! Have you ever had any issues cutting through thick brush?

 

[yanmars]

It seems most have had better luck with the lighter units than I have. The occasional rock etc. has just beat the light decks to pieces, a TSC unit, even a lighter John Deere. My Bush Hog and Massey Ferguson were much heavier and more reliable for me. I used a 5 foot on a 33 HP tractor and a 6 foot on a 45 tractor. For me the 6 footer would not have been a good fit on the 33 HP. At times even at creeping speeds the brush I occasionally cut is so thick it can stall the tractor. Just giving my experience with over 25 years cutting on my farm.

 

[LD1]

If I had a L39.....a med-hd 6' would be on the back. Something in the 1200# range for a 6'cutter.

I ran a bushhog 306 (1100#, 3" cut capacity, 90hp gb) for years behind a 29 PTO HP gear drive l3400.

The l39 will have no issues with weight and heft. And power will be plenty

 

[WVH1977]

That is a very nice rotary cutter! Have you ever had any issues cutting through thick brush?

I bought it to use on some land I have that has loblolly pines and briars growing in it. I have been running over 6 foot pine saplings, brush and 8 foot briars with it. Cuts it and nothing is left. I run it in low range and take my time in the real thick stuff. This is a picture of the land I have been cutting with it.

 

[RickB]

If I had a L39.....a med-hd 6' would be on the back. Something in the 1200# range for a 6'cutter.

I ran a bushhog 306 (1100#, 3" cut capacity, 90hp gb) for years behind a 29 PTO HP gear drive l3400.

The l39 will have no issues with weight and heft. And power will be plenty

Now there’s a good real world response.

 

[Black Sheep125]

UPDATE

I bought my first rotary cutter!

I appreciate everyones advice and first hand experience. I decided to spend the extra money and pick up a Bush Hog 285. I was blessed enough to find a real nice one on Craigs list.
Time to get to work!

 

[Turbys_1700]

That is a nice cutter. You did well. I predict you will be as pleased with it's performance as I am with my Brown 472.

 

[MESSMAKER]

That should do just fine. Great choice.

 

[Black Sheep125]

That should do just fine. Great choice.

Thanks Messmaker and Turbys! I will be sure to post some pictures once I get to cutting.

 

[bdhsfz6]

UPDATE

I bought my first rotary cutter!

I appreciate everyones advice and first hand experience. I decided to spend the extra money and pick up a Bush Hog 285. I was blessed enough to find a real nice one on Craigs list.
Time to get to work!

Good Pick! It should work well for what you plan to do.

I ran a Brushog SQ172 behind my old L3430 HST (27 PTO HP) with no problems. I just slowed down for the gnarly stuff. The salesman said not to worry about the 30HP minimum.

If I might ask, what did you pay for the 285? I'm thinking of selling my SQ172 and I'd like to get an idea of what it's worth.