2305: 42" or 48" rotary cutter.

[newbomb_turk]

I am getting a rotary cutter this weekend (bush hog). Of all 2305, 2210 owners, what shall be the recommendation on the size? I have analyzed the scenarios, but just haven't been able to operate one on the machine.

I have ~2 acres of field, plus I need to clear blackberries and brush on a greenbelt. I realize that the 42" is not as wide as the tractor, but have been recommended this by the bush hog dealer. A 4' rotary cutter seems a bit large for a CUT like the 2305/2210.

Any first-hand experience. Is there ANYONE that has a 42" bush hog out there?

Thanks,

Todd

 

[kvjohndeere]

Get The 48" Cut By John Deere Or frontier well worth the extra money !

 

[RollTideRam]

I only have a couple more HP with my 2520. I use a lx5 (5"") and have not had any problems. JC

 

[ChuckinNH]

I guess it depends on the amout of area that you intend to mow, and how often you have to lift the mower for transport. Rotary cutters are long for their width, and the weight hangs back there a ways. For my trails, and small areas I would choose the 42" just because it seems a better match overall for that size tractor. Not covering the rear tires with a rotary cutter isn't the deal that it might be with a BB. Even with a 48", you will be driving over grass you aren't cutting on turns. You might want to check the lift height too since most 48" cutters are intended for full cat 1 hitches, and the 42" ones are meant for the sub-cuts. A friend up the road put a 48" brushhog mower on his BX, but had to drill new attachment holes to get the lift he wanted. The last time I talked to him though, he was happy with the mower's performance on that tractor.

 

[RalphVa]

I've an LX4 on my 4010, which is about the same weight but about 5 hp less than a 2305 or 2210. It'll mow grass/weeds that're about hood high. I use it with the FEL in place, for the weight and also to push trees and stuff out of the way; can also function as a stump catcher in front. You've enough hp to drive an LX5 but its added weight could cause problems on any hills. Also, with around 400 # back there, you need some suitcase weights or the FEL out front to offset it.

Ralph

 

[JCB]

newbomb,

I've got a 2210 with a JD 413 rotary cutter (413 is the predecessor to the LX4). It's 48", heavy, and just the right size for the 2210.

I use it to mow alongside seedlings in pasture. Covering your tracks is important, because I run wide open with the rear tractor wheels a couple of inches away from the seedlings and the 413 cuts all the grass and weeds right up close to the trees (it works the same with fences). I usually take the loader off, for better visibility of the seedlings and the front end is very light, and making tight turns is difficult. I fabbed up a weight box for the front frame with three cinder blocks and steering is much better. With the loader on, steering is not an issue.

Go for the 48".

Joe

 

[newbomb_turk]

Mowing next to fences, seedlings is my biggest (and really only) concern with the 42". Can one easily 'offset' it such that it gets closer to the edge on one side? I could perhaps live with that.

 

[B8FISH]

I had an LX-4 on my 2210--worked great. I would be hesitant to attempt to offset any rotary cutter on this size machine:
1)maybe too much extra stress on lift arms etc.??
2)that is a lot of weight to one side--especially if you go on any hills!

I used to leave the loader frame on and just take off the bucket for visibility.

 

[VABlue]

Does JD even make a 42" RC? I'd go with the 48", no sense in walking around the fence perimeter with a push mower to get that extra width!

 

[SI2305]

If I were you I would go with the 48 inch model. My 2305 and LX4 easily cut down tall (7 foot) grass, blackberries, small trees and pretty much whatever else I through at it. The 2305 will have power to spare and I think that you will appreciate having a rotary cutter that will match the width of your tractor. Personally, I mow 6 acres of rough ground, some flat, some rolling and if anything, I have thought that a 5' model would be nice.

good luck

 

[newbomb_turk]

OK, I am still up in the air on this RC. However, the big sticking point - not being able to mow full width - may not be solved by the 48" (1048). True, it will cut full width out in the open field, and reduce my cutting time. However, it is how close I can get to things that really drives the decision.

The 1048 (LX4) is 51 5/8" wide, but cuts 48". This means I can still only get within about 2" (1.75") of a fence before I whack it with the cutter.

The Bush Hog SQ142 is 42 3/4" wide, and cuts 42". The 2305 is 48" wide. This means I can get within 3" of the fence before I hit it with the tractor.

So, I can mow about 1" closer to something with the 48" cutter - hardly a make or break amount.

They are both the same price, but the Bush Hog wieghs over 120 lbs less - less than 400 lbs. I am leaning 42", even though most people have recommended the 48" Frontier.

 

[kennyd]

The Bush Hog SQ142 is 42 3/4" wide, and cuts 42". The 2305 is 48" wide. This means I can get within 3" of the fence before I hit it with the tractor.

I'm not buying that! There is a mistake/misprint somewhere. If the blade to blade span is truly 42", and the overall width of the cutter is 42 3/4", and I will assume the thickness of the side of the cutter are 1/8" thick at least, than that leaves a gap between the blades and the sidewalls at about 1/4"? that pretty close for a rotary cutter isn't it

The 1048 (LX4) is 51 5/8" wide, but cuts 48". This means I can still only get within about 2" (1.75") of a fence before I whack it with the cutter.

These #'s sound much more reasonable...

 

[davkir]

I use a 48" on my 2305. But I don't cut very close to the fence posts with it. With the rough ground in my pastures and the overall clumsiness of the tractor/R.C. combination, I just don't feel comfortable getting that close. It doesn't handle anything like a regular mower deck.
(Yes, I have hooked and torn down fencing and my neighbor hooked a guy wire and pulled down a row of power line poles with a big tractor.)

 

[newbomb_turk]

I'm not buying that! There is a mistake/misprint somewhere. If the blade to blade span is truly 42", and the overall width of the cutter is 42 3/4", and I will assume the thickness of the side of the cutter are 1/8" thick at least, than that leaves a gap between the blades and the sidewalls at about 1/4"? that pretty close for a rotary cutter isn't it

Straight from the Bush Hog web site.

http://www.bushhog.com/specsheets/squealer_standard_duty-020207.pdf

Even if it is incorrect, the limiting factor is the width of the tractor. Say it is a misprint, and it is really 48" wide (highly unlikely). I still can get only 1" closer cutting with the 48" RC. Albeit I am closer with the tractor, rather than the RC using the 42". However, I believe I have better positioning control over the tractor vs. the RC. Still see a 1" gain (actually, it is 1.25" to be exact).

 

[RollTideRam]

It's your money so buy what you want. You may only gain 1" in theory, but have you thought about the line of cut? With the 48", every round you cut, the back tire will be your line of cut. With the 42" the line of cut will be some where in the middle of the tire. Which is easier to judge when mowing will also be your choice, but that is another way to look at it. JC

 

[newbomb_turk]

You may only gain 1" in theory, but have you thought about the line of cut? With the 48", every round you cut, the back tire will be your line of cut. With the 42" the line of cut will be some where in the middle of the tire. JC

I would think the line of cut judged when mowing would be with the front tires. They are 43" apart on the outside. That is probably bad for the 42" because you couldn't really line up the cut with the outside of the tire without perhaps missing an inch or so. I'd probably have to line up the inside of the front tire, and then really only get about 36" each round. Might take me a bit longer.

Probably have analyzed this to death, so I'll sleep on it one more night...

 

[VABlue]

You have analyzed it to death. When your driving a tractor near a fence line you won't be noticing 1" of cut grass. Your attention will be on not hitting the fence. Same thing in the open field, you'll be driving as fast as you can go and won't worry about a 36" cut lined with the inside edge of the right drawbar vs a 46.25" cut lined to the third bolt on the right side of the bell housing.

Look at your checkbook and buy the cutter that fits it the best. Enjoy...