what size rotary cutter ?

[big bubba]

whatever setup, cond of cutting knives is so important, i overlook myself sometimes.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Just to be clear ... I wasn't recommending a finish mower for the OP ... It's what I'm gonna buy to mow every few weeks ...

 

[kenmac]

Well OP: don't jump the gun yet. the last post does bring up a good point. it's all about the overall hanging length/ weight on a compact tractor. if you have one, look at the owner's manual for implement specs/limitations.

you might also want to discuss with your dealer's impartial advice on the subject since you're not going through them.

you're on the right track for now, do some more homework before you buy.
assume you have fel & loaded rears as well for the task. i've read where some load their ft tires as well, best regards
having said, would not recommend finish mower of any type.

I checked my operators manual and posted the specs. recommended, which is 84'' and 1000 #.
I did discuss the price of a land pride mower with local dealer. they recommended 7 ft land price at about the same weight at the LMC cutter I'm looking at for $3500.00 the land pride is stamped steel deck where the LMC mower uses 5'' channel for the sides. I've seen too many of these land prides around me with the sides and rear bent all to heck from hitting things . Not going to bend this LMC with 5 '' channel sides.

I already own an LMC 5 ft cutter with 5'' channel on the sided I have used for years and have never managed to bend that channel. That's the mower I'm using now but it won't cover the rear tires, so I'm wanting at least the 7 ft to cover the rear tires

 

[2manyrocks]

Curious why the manual recommends up to 84 inch 1000 lb cutter when the other specs say it can lift 2,400 lbs 24 inches from the lift point unless they have figured out the effect of additional leverage when using an 84 inch cutter?

 

[kenmac]

Curious why the manual recommends up to 84 inch 1000 lb cutter when the other specs say it can lift 2,400 lbs 24 inches from the lift point unless they have figured out the effect of additional leverage when using an 84 inch cutter?

I can't answer that one. All I can do is tell ya what's listed in my Kubota MX5100 manual, and that's also what the Kubota dealer told me. I assume he read it from the Kubota manual as well

 

[2manyrocks]

I am curious how kubota decides their size recommendations. If the 8 foot twin weighs 1500 lbs but is shorter in length, I wonder how much practical difference it would make compared to a 7 foot 1,000lb single cutter?

 

[mra400ex]

I have a L4760 and have a Titan 8 foot dual gearbox cutter. It loads the tractor down the same as a 6 foot. I bought the 8 foot used and it was the best purchase I every made. Years ago a dealer advised that a 8 ft dual would not drag down the tractor as much as a single gearbox 7 foot. The L 4760 handles it very well. Also, the cut it gives is very good also.

 

[dnw64]

The Kubota MX5100 can lift 2300 lbs 24" behind the lift point and is 42.5 hp (HST) 44 (gear) pto hp.

I don't think an 8' cutter (even a twin) is going to have the COG 24" behind the pins.

My biggest concern would be the weight. Any chance you could get your tractor to the dealer and try the cutter just for mobility? Power wise I expect it would be OK, though you may have to slow down in some conditions.

 

[big bubba]

I don't think an 8' cutter (even a twin) is going to have the COG 24" behind the pins.

My biggest concern would be the weight. Any chance you could get your tractor to the dealer and try the cutter just for mobility? Power wise I expect it would be OK, though you may have to slow down in some conditions.good

good thought, was just about to suggest the idea. it's the only way to know if it will work.

 

[2manyrocks]

Thank you dnw64 for pointing that out. The twin gearbox assemblies may move the COG further rearward than the cutter length itself would indicate.

$3,500 for a 7 foot cutter that is near Kubota’s specs vs $6,500 for an 8 foot twin. Seems like a lot more cash at risk if the twin is not satisfactory to the OP.

Wonder if the dealer has a demo or used unit to test?

 

[Chewwy]

The OP could always go semi mount which puts only half its weight on the pins. Even a 3 pt mount usually has at least 10 inches or so of flex on the top link which provides the same result weight distribution in that range.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I don't think an 8' cutter (even a twin) is going to have the COG 24" behind the pins.

Hi David! Didn't know you were over here, I just signed up, you may recognize my house in post #22!

The Iron craft 2408 weighs 1450 Lbs, it appears to be roughly 5' long, not including the rear wheels ... So center is probably around 30" - 32" behind the hitch.

On my little SCUT I have a 5' single spindle the entire thing is 8' long including the rear tail wheel ... Weighs 518 Lbs, hanging off the back of my 69 Lb quick hitch ... My manufacturers specifications say 24" behind pins 661 Lbs ... It lifts it fine, but is a tad light in the steering with the tail wheel off the ground, can still turn but you gotta take more time at speed, that's with the loader and bucket on ... If I switch out the 189 Lb bucket for the 347 Lb forks, it's fine, or just put some rocks in the bucket.

In regularly mowing situation, the tail wheel(s) is on the ground, taking half the weight anyways

 

[2manyrocks]

Is semi mount the same thing as some call a drag behind from the drawbar?

 

[big bubba]

$3,500 for a 7 foot cutter that is near Kubota’s specs vs $6,500 for an 8 foot twin.
2manyrocks
3k is a steep additional price for an additional 12" cut

 

[mra400ex]

No Matter what cutter a person goes with, a few years ago I picked up a hydraulic top link. One of the best things I ever got on my tractor. When you are cutting and go to trim it is easy to mangle your rear wheel. With top link I shorted it and get the wheel up off the ground. Good for olive branches too.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think the question is whether the additional cost of the twin would be justified if the twin handles better and cuts more easily on the MX than the 7 foot with the longer blades.

My impression from reading other threads about 7 foot cutters is people don’t seem to like them due to being awkward on their tractors and needing more PTO power to operate.

Then there is the thought that a 6 foot cutter is known for sure to work, is commonly available, fits on most utility trailers to haul, and can be had for under $1,000 used. Still would be better than the OP’s 5 foot cutter that likely cuts about 4.5 feet each pass due to overlap.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Is semi mount the same thing as some call a drag behind from the drawbar?

Pros/cons of rotary cutter mounting systems? 3-point vs semi-mount vs trailer

I've seen the standard 3-point hitch, the semi mount which seems like just the hydraulic lifts, not top link, then the tow behind. What do you like about them? I have a couple. 3-point - it is nice when you want to back up and "push back the forest" when clearing the pasture edges. Tow...

www.tractorbynet.com

Semi is kinda like a three point, but only uses the lower arms, still swings with a wide tail swing like a three point, a pull style is basically a trailer hooked to the drawbar ...

 

[Chewwy]

Deleted. Duplicate.

 

[Chewwy]

.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I currently have a 5 ft. just going up one ft wouldn't be worth the cost. Plus 6 ft won't cover the rear tires. the 8 ft iron craft doesn't weigh 2K #..
I can get the 7 ft cutter that will cover the rear tires but it's single wheel and single spindle. the dual spindle 8 ft cutter has dual tail wheels.

Price for the iron craft 2408 is around $6500.00 which isn't a bad price

Best quality cutting I ever got with a bushog was 5' on a JD2010 tricycle. The hog didnt cover any wheel but the front. Mashed grass always stood back up before you came around again.