JD MX6 Brush Hog? Should I Go For It?

[wirlybird]

There is a John Deere MX6 brush hog locally for $1600. Looks to be in decent shape.
It would be used on a 3032E or a 3038E. JD says minimum HP is 30 so it is in line for the 3038E but I image it would do ok on the 3032E for general field grass cutting.
I am looking for a 6 foot rotary cutter and have been holding out for an RC 2072 since its stated PTO HP range starts at 25. These are hard to come by in decent shape.

What do you guys think? Anyone with experience with the MX6?

 

[joecdeere]

Do a little searching on the net for MX-6 gearbox failures, lots of issues with the output shaft breaking, really HD mower with a very crappy gearbox

 

[wirlybird]

Do a little searching on the net for MX-6 gearbox failures, lots of issues with the output shaft breaking, really HD mower with a very crappy gearbox

Very good to know. Thank you.
I'm thinking it is overkill for what I want anyway but it is in decent condition so thought I should consider it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Ran an MX-8 (8’ with 2 gearboxes) real hard for 10 years and never a gearbox issue, or any issue for that matter.

 

[Ortimber]

I run an MX6 behind my 4052R. It is my belief that this mower is too heavy for a 3 series machine. It makes my tractor very light in the front. I don’t have any flat ground, so my experience might be different than others.

 

[wirlybird]

I run an MX6 behind my 4052R. It is my belief that this mower is too heavy for a 3 series machine. It makes my tractor very light in the front. I don’t have any flat ground, so my experience might be different than others.

Thank you. It is looking more and more like I should not get it!

 

[mo1]

There is a John Deere MX6 brush hog locally for $1600. Looks to be in decent shape.
It would be used on a 3032E or a 3038E. JD says minimum HP is 30 so it is in line for the 3038E but I image it would do ok on the 3032E for general field grass cutting.
I am looking for a 6 foot rotary cutter and have been holding out for an RC 2072 since its stated PTO HP range starts at 25. These are hard to come by in decent shape.

What do you guys think? Anyone with experience with the MX6?

I have a newer MX6 with the "revised" gearbox. No issues with it. It is a nice cutter that is sturdier than the light duty units like the RC2072. But at almost 1100 pounds it is probably too much weight for a 3E to handle, it's a better match for a heavier machine. If you are cutting grassy fields, I would look at a light duty cutter, and probably only look at a 6' cutter with the 3038E, stick with a 5'er on the 3032E.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

I have a RC2060 behind a 2032R (25pto hp)
Has worked well..
I have read different things about the MX series being very good frame mowers.. Quite desireable for that quality..

Never heard about gear box issues..

To me.... A used mower would get a very complete gear box oil drain and replacement before moving an inch..

 

[mo1]

I have a RC2060 behind a 2032R (25pto hp)
Has worked well..
I have read different things about the MX series being very good frame mowers.. Quite desireable for that quality..

Never heard about gear box issues..

To me.... A used mower would get a very complete gear box oil drain and replacement before moving an inch..

At least with the newer single spindle MXes the manual is very specific about making sure the gearbox output shaft nut is properly tightened. There is a big castle nut with a cotter pin going through this shaft. The nut was supposed to have been tightened twice in the first 8 hours to properly seat and then every 50 hours if the mower hits really ugly stuff, and the cotter pin replaced when the nut is tightened. It takes just shy of 450 ft-lb of torque on this nut. If I bought one of these used, I would absolutely make sure this is tight as I am curious if loose hardware wobbling around on the output shaft may have caused or at least contributed to shaft breakage on the earlier units.

There is no oil drain plug at least on the newer gearboxes, you would need to suck the oil out of the fill/breather port to change it.

In addition to tightening the output shaft nut and changing the oil, I would tighten the other fasteners (particularly the blade bolts and gearbox-to-frame bolts), grease everything, and make sure the slip clutch is adjusted. I wonder if some of the units which had output shaft failures didn't have seized slip clutches.

 

[Dave Pic]

I own an MX6. Used it for years behind my JD5203. Never had an issue with the gear box, however, didn't like the angled deck. Hit a rock, stump or something and the blades came up and sliced through the deck like butter. I know that your supposed top avoid those things, but life happens. Here is RI, all we seem to do is grow rocks. I also had a Woods BB 60, and I thought that it was a better built unit. Never had the blade issue.

 

[wirlybird]

I have a newer MX6 with the "revised" gearbox. No issues with it. It is a nice cutter that is sturdier than the light duty units like the RC2072. But at almost 1100 pounds it is probably too much weight for a 3E to handle, it's a better match for a heavier machine. If you are cutting grassy fields, I would look at a light duty cutter, and probably only look at a 6' cutter with the 3038E, stick with a 5'er on the 3032E.

Thanks, I've pretty much dropped the MX6 idea!
I have 5 footers but want a 6 for those big open areas of straight up mowing. Just have to test it out to see how it does, a 6 footer that is.
I have a few areas that will tell me how it will do time wise vs. a 5. The areas are a little bumpy so speed with a 5 is limited to the terrain. I am hoping I can reduce overall time with a little large hog.
Doesn't need to be heavy duty by any means.

 

[wirlybird]

I own an MX6. Used it for years behind my JD5203. Never had an issue with the gear box, however, didn't like the angled deck. Hit a rock, stump or something and the blades came up and sliced through the deck like butter. I know that your supposed top avoid those things, but life happens. Here is RI, all we seem to do is grow rocks. I also had a Woods BB 60, and I thought that it was a better built unit. Never had the blade issue.

I've got a BB60 for the heavier stuff. Haven't used it yet as I got it a few months ago. The deals are popping up in winter!

 

[Dave Pic]

Thanks, I've pretty much dropped the MX6 idea!
I have 5 footers but want a 6 for those big open areas of straight up mowing. Just have to test it out to see how it does, a 6 footer that is.
I have a few areas that will tell me how it will do time wise vs. a 5. The areas are a little bumpy so speed with a 5 is limited to the terrain. I am hoping I can reduce overall time with a little large hog.
Doesn't need to be heavy duty by any means.

Ive always wanted to try a flail mower. Maybe you should give that a look

 

[wirlybird]

Ive always wanted to try a flail mower. Maybe you should give that a look

I have three of them! They are nice but higher maintenance and cost. They are good for certain stuff but for other areas a rotary cutter is a better choice.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

There is a John Deere MX6 brush hog locally for $1600. Looks to be in decent shape.
It would be used on a 3032E or a 3038E. JD says minimum HP is 30 so it is in line for the 3038E but I image it would do ok on the 3032E for general field grass cutting.
I am looking for a 6 foot rotary cutter and have been holding out for an RC 2072 since its stated PTO HP range starts at 25. These are hard to come by in decent shape.

What do you guys think? Anyone with experience with the MX6?

John Deere rotary mowers are renowned for catastrophic gearbox failure. One implement I’d avoid buying used is a rotary mower unless you know the history. Those things get the snot beat out of them.

 

[cathy liebchen]

There is a John Deere MX6 brush hog locally for $1600. Looks to be in decent shape.
It would be used on a 3032E or a 3038E. JD says minimum HP is 30 so it is in line for the 3038E but I image it would do ok on the 3032E for general field grass cutting.
I am looking for a 6 foot rotary cutter and have been holding out for an RC 2072 since its stated PTO HP range starts at 25. These are hard to come by in decent shape.

What do you guys think? Anyone with experience with the MX6?

Get a Brown 415

 

[LD1]

Get a Brown 415

Guy wants a 6' mower because he already has a heavy 5' mower. And all he wants is to clip pasture grass. Yet you insist on pushing a 5' heavy duty mower? I just dont get your line of thinking and posting that is unhelpful.

 

[LD1]

Thanks, I've pretty much dropped the MX6 idea!
I have 5 footers but want a 6 for those big open areas of straight up mowing. Just have to test it out to see how it does, a 6 footer that is.
I have a few areas that will tell me how it will do time wise vs. a 5. The areas are a little bumpy so speed with a 5 is limited to the terrain. I am hoping I can reduce overall time with a little large hog.
Doesn't need to be heavy duty by any means.

PRobably a good idea to drop the MX6.

But either the 3032 or 3038 will do fine with a 6' cutter.

The issue with the MX isnt that 6' is too much. Its the weight. A cutter that heavy (if 1100lbs is accurate) would require a loader be left on all the time. And sometimes that isnt exactly convenient.

Look for a 6' cutter in the 750-800lb range and I think you will be happy.

And if you opt for the 3038 with its increase in power....if all you are doing is pasture grass I'd also consider a 7' twin. They are more money new....but never know when you look used. You might get lucky and find something

 

[wirlybird]

PRobably a good idea to drop the MX6.

But either the 3032 or 3038 will do fine with a 6' cutter.

The issue with the MX isnt that 6' is too much. Its the weight. A cutter that heavy (if 1100lbs is accurate) would require a loader be left on all the time. And sometimes that isnt exactly convenient.

Look for a 6' cutter in the 750-800lb range and I think you will be happy.

And if you opt for the 3038 with its increase in power....if all you are doing is pasture grass I'd also consider a 7' twin. They are more money new....but never know when you look used. You might get lucky and find something

It's dropped! JD says it weighs in at 1040Lbs and I agree that I'd rather not have the loader bucket on while mowing. Too easy to clip fence posts.
Looking at a couple land pride 6 footers but pricey.
RCR 1272 or RCR 1872. Rather have the 1872 which is still in the range for both the 3032E & the 3038E. Both in "new" condition for $2000.

I don't want to get too crazy on price before I know if the 6 footer will be worth the potential time saved over the 5 footer.
I'm sure I won't over think that last statement!

 

[wirlybird]

PRobably a good idea to drop the MX6.

But either the 3032 or 3038 will do fine with a 6' cutter.

The issue with the MX isnt that 6' is too much. Its the weight. A cutter that heavy (if 1100lbs is accurate) would require a loader be left on all the time. And sometimes that isnt exactly convenient.

Look for a 6' cutter in the 750-800lb range and I think you will be happy.

And if you opt for the 3038 with its increase in power....if all you are doing is pasture grass I'd also consider a 7' twin. They are more money new....but never know when you look used. You might get lucky and find something

Any particular brand of 7 twin I might want to keep an eye out for?
Ones that would be acceptable on a 3038E that is.