Rotary Cutter Size?

[ssramage]

Tractor is a Ford 1715, 23hp at the PTO. I'm assuming I'll need to add weight to the front regardless of the cutter, which I'm still trying to find.

But, overall, would a 4' or 5' cutter be better behind this tractor? Primarily use is mowing hunting club roads and food plots. All relatively flat ground.

 

[bearthebruce]

I run a 5' rotary mower with 23hp at the PTO.. I think you should go 5' for your need. Should almost be the width of your tires - right?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm betting a 5' would be just fine for that tractor, and that's what I would buy for it.

SR

 

[bcp]

Consider the weight of the cutter, too.

With a wider cutter than ideal, you can still mow by going slower or making a partial cut. But if you have an overweight cutter, things can get weird when traveling with the cutter raised. I think my heavy 4ft one would often bounce the front wheels off the ground when traveling if I had the loader removed.

Bruce

 

[ssramage]

Consider the weight of the cutter, too.

With a wider cutter than ideal, you can still mow by going slower or making a partial cut. But if you have an overweight cutter, things can get weird when traveling with the cutter raised. I think my heavy 4ft one would often bounce the front wheels off the ground when traveling if I had the loader removed.

Bruce

Good point. The one I'm looking at is about 550#.

 

[bearthebruce]

Your tractor is a 1000lbs lighter than ours. I'm glad the other Bruce thought of the weight. My guess is you will be fine with 550# back there but be ready to add front ballast.

We cut on hills. The bucket and loader stay on to help us at top of the hills when things want to get very light in the front end.

Our brush mower is slightly heavier by about 200#.

 

[jeff9366]

Ford 1715 Dimensions
Wheelbase:	63 inches 160 cm
Length:	112.4 inches 285 cm
Width:	51.3 inches 130 cm
Height (ROPS):	84.4 inches 214 cm
2WD Shipping weight:	1929 lbs 874 kg
4WD Shipping weight:	2116 lbs 959 kg
2WD Ground clearance:	11.6 inches 29 cm
4WD Ground clearance:	11.2 inches 28 cm
2WD Front tread:	40.2 to 42.2 inches 102 to 107 cm
4WD Front tread:	42.4 inches 107 cm
2WD Rear tread:	42.2 to 48.2 inches 107 to 122 cm
4WD Rear tread:	41.1 to 47.1 inches 104 to 119 cm

Ford 1715 Power
Engine (gross):	27.3 hp 20.4 kW
Engine (net):	26 hp 19.4 kW
PTO (claimed):	23 hp 17.2 kW

Transmission
Type:	gear
Gears:	9 forward and 3 reverse
Three gears, plus reverse, in three ranges.

Would a 4' or 5' cutter be better behind this tractor? Primarily use is mowing hunting club roads and food plots. All relatively flat ground.

A 5' Rotary Cutter of 550 pounds weight will be fine cutting brush to 1" over flat ground. You will mow in mid-range at almost full throttle. Sharpen the blades periodically to reduce PTO loading.

 

[LD48750]

I run a 5' behind both my fords, a 1510 & 2N.

You'll be fine with the 5'er.

 

[AndyMA]

I ran a 5 foot behind my 1710. Worked fine

Andy

 

[ssramage]

Thanks everyone! I was leaning towards the 5' but wanted to make sure I wasn't getting too big. Now to find one! It's been a LONG time since I looked at bush hogs and they have skyrocketed in price like everything else I guess.

 

[oosik]

It kind of depends upon how you will use the cutter. I have no fields to mow. I'm looking at a five foot Brown 415 or Rhino TW35. I will be cutting Buck brush. Backing into the brush almost 100% of the time. My M6040 will provide plenty of PTO power.

Buck brush - thick as the hair on a coon dog - tops out at two feet - max diameter equal to your yellow lead pencil.

 

[ssramage]

Thanks for all of the recommendations. I was able to find a new Land Pride RCR1548 last week. A gentleman bought it with a new Kubota and never used it. Couldn't pass up on the deal and think it'll be a nice tool for my machine.