GC1720 and king cutter hog size

loboracer · Sep 5, 2019

I am ready to pull the trigger on a king cutter rotary cutter. The dealer is saying to buy a 5 ft some forums say either will work. So I thought I would come here for the final answer. I am not looking at the XB cheaper series. I have tall weeds/grass. Some brush. I dont want to put the hurt on my 1720 but would like a nice cut. Price is $50 more for the 5 foot. Can the 1720 handle the 5 ft with the almost 20hp pto power without issue or should i go with the 4 foot? I do have some off camber and slight hills. Thanks!

Nacademus · Sep 5, 2019

loboracer said:
I am ready to pull the trigger on a king cutter rotary cutter. The dealer is saying to buy a 5 ft some forums say either will work. So I thought I would come here for the final answer. I am not looking at the XB cheaper series. I have tall weeds/grass. Some brush. I dont want to put the hurt on my 1720 but would like a nice cut. Price is $50 more for the 5 foot. Can the 1720 handle the 5 ft with the almost 20hp pto power without issue or should i go with the 4 foot? I do have some off camber and slight hills. Thanks!

Be sure that you have a slip clutch that is properly adjusted and a 5 footer won't hurt your tractor. I've always heard that a good rule to size your tractor is to equal 5hp per foot in width. That would put you at a 4ft cutter. Plenty of people run 5ft cutters without issue. I have a Hardee 52 inch cutter which is right in the middle.

loboracer · Sep 5, 2019

The kings just have a shear pin. A 54" would be a good size but unfortunately they don't have them. I am mainly going for the Kings due to the low price and parts availability. The king dealer said I wouldnt be happy if my cutter was not wider than my rear tire track. It wouldnt give a good cut. Not sure about this. Thanks for the feedback.

cglaser104 · Sep 5, 2019

loboracer said:
I am ready to pull the trigger on a king cutter rotary cutter. The dealer is saying to buy a 5 ft some forums say either will work. So I thought I would come here for the final answer. I am not looking at the XB cheaper series. I have tall weeds/grass. Some brush. I dont want to put the hurt on my 1720 but would like a nice cut. Price is $50 more for the 5 foot. Can the 1720 handle the 5 ft with the almost 20hp pto power without issue or should i go with the 4 foot? I do have some off camber and slight hills. Thanks!

I have the GC1710TLB running a 1960's John Deere Gyramor 205 5' cutter. Works well. To run it at least the front loader arms have to stay on for counterbalance and I'm usually in 4wd for traction in uneven fields but the PTO absolutely can run it. This particular model uses a friction plate slip clutch. I took pictures of what the hedgerow used to look like vs what the cutter did and I was fine. Cut 2" crab apple trees (which was noisy) but the tractor took it like a champ. The hard apple tree wood is the first time it's even bogged down but it didn't stall it. Cutting grass runs like butter. Keep the blades sharpened and I think you'll be absolutely fine.

cglaser104 · Sep 5, 2019

Added note. Assuming you haven't added wheel spacers your tractor width should only be about 44-45 inches. A 4' cutter is the cutting width typically and the actual deck is a bit wider than that. 4' or 5', both would cover your tractor width

loboracer · Sep 5, 2019

Wow, i didn't realize it was that narrow. Thank you

cglaser104 · Sep 5, 2019

loboracer said:
Wow, i didn't realize it was that narrow. Thank you

You're welcome....if I can add one last personal observation. Having the reach of the 5' helps me get closer to the hedgerow and into places that a 4' would not let me without hooking my ROPS on trees and bushes and ultimately ripping the tail light off the tractor. Not sure what exactly your mowing entails but just wanted to give you an FYI

loboracer · Sep 5, 2019

I do have a fair amount of fence line. Would also like to be able to make some atv trails in the woods to. Have 20 acres of mixed. Mostly it will be tall weeds. I wonder if I should spring for the flex hitch.

cglaser104 · Sep 5, 2019

loboracer said:
I do have a fair amount of fence line. Would also like to be able to make some atv trails in the woods to. Have 20 acres of mixed. Mostly it will be tall weeds. I wonder if I should spring for the flex hitch.

Absolutely! You want the cutter to articulate on the lower arms and tail wheel freely so it cuts properly. This is even more important if you use a quick hitch or plan to which makes your toplink static.