JWR
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 3,974
- Location
- So MD / WV
- Tractor
- MF 2660 LP, 3 Kubota B2150, Kubota BX2200, MH Pacer, Gravely 5660, etc.
I have been using an Orsi RB415B 3pt mounted cutter on a MF 2660 tractor. Would like to trade info with other users of this and similar equipment. There are quite a few brands out there and sizes ranging from small cutter bar "sickle mowers" to ones over 3500 lbs. Mine is around 2500 lbs, has 17ft reach and uses a 4' rotary cutting head, not a flail mower. See photo.
There are some issues and solved problems that I'd like to let other users know about. Also questions and concerns of course.
First item to pass along: WARNING: All of these rear-mount boom cutters that I have seen (in person or literature and certainly my Orsi) can and will damage the tractor unless some custom support is made for the lift arms on the tractor. (!!) To try to be concise, the stabilizer links for the cutters are mounted at angles in the 15 to 30 degree range from horizontal and nominally are expected to be attached to the same pin on the tractor as the top link. At these angles, outward force on the 3pt hitch top link attach point on the tractor becomes HUGE as soon as the hydraulic pressure bleeds off the lift arms. Many tractors (including the MF 2600 series) will have thick steel plates bent and pulled away from the tractor without custom provisions. The total weight of the unit (a little over a ton in my case, twice that in some brands) gets tripled and applied to the top link attach point with this geometry. Tractors in general (in the 50 to 100hp flavors) will simply not stand this. The first/main/best solution is to fabricate a strong support to run laterally under the 3pt hitch lift arms. I used 1/4" rectangular tubing of 2"x4" size and around 4ft length resting on the drawbar and on a couple of added bars beside the drawbar. The second and also very beneficial change is to attach the stabilizer links to someplace on the tractor other than the attachment point normally used for the top link. Some tractors (MF 2600 series for example) have auxiliary "ears" on the axle that can be used. Many European machines and the recently seen McCormick tractors use heavy vertical "ladder" configurations near the top link and pto area that make great places to attach the stabilizer links.
At least one other boom cutter manufacturer was seen at a farm show with an over 3500 lb unit mounted on a tractor that would be severely damaged if used as it was shown.
These cutters are fantastic tools for clearing fence rows, overhanging tree limbs along meadows, shredding 20ft high autumn olive bushes that cannot be attacked with with normal brush hogs, creek banks, sink hole areas, steep banks, etc. But they require serious attention and custom supports to avoid damage to the host tractor. They also have to be used in a "go slow" mode unlike the typical rear mounted brush hogs in order to avoid accidental damage to both yourself and property. Use on steep ground is another whole discussion.
How about it -- users out there ?
There are some issues and solved problems that I'd like to let other users know about. Also questions and concerns of course.
First item to pass along: WARNING: All of these rear-mount boom cutters that I have seen (in person or literature and certainly my Orsi) can and will damage the tractor unless some custom support is made for the lift arms on the tractor. (!!) To try to be concise, the stabilizer links for the cutters are mounted at angles in the 15 to 30 degree range from horizontal and nominally are expected to be attached to the same pin on the tractor as the top link. At these angles, outward force on the 3pt hitch top link attach point on the tractor becomes HUGE as soon as the hydraulic pressure bleeds off the lift arms. Many tractors (including the MF 2600 series) will have thick steel plates bent and pulled away from the tractor without custom provisions. The total weight of the unit (a little over a ton in my case, twice that in some brands) gets tripled and applied to the top link attach point with this geometry. Tractors in general (in the 50 to 100hp flavors) will simply not stand this. The first/main/best solution is to fabricate a strong support to run laterally under the 3pt hitch lift arms. I used 1/4" rectangular tubing of 2"x4" size and around 4ft length resting on the drawbar and on a couple of added bars beside the drawbar. The second and also very beneficial change is to attach the stabilizer links to someplace on the tractor other than the attachment point normally used for the top link. Some tractors (MF 2600 series for example) have auxiliary "ears" on the axle that can be used. Many European machines and the recently seen McCormick tractors use heavy vertical "ladder" configurations near the top link and pto area that make great places to attach the stabilizer links.
At least one other boom cutter manufacturer was seen at a farm show with an over 3500 lb unit mounted on a tractor that would be severely damaged if used as it was shown.
These cutters are fantastic tools for clearing fence rows, overhanging tree limbs along meadows, shredding 20ft high autumn olive bushes that cannot be attacked with with normal brush hogs, creek banks, sink hole areas, steep banks, etc. But they require serious attention and custom supports to avoid damage to the host tractor. They also have to be used in a "go slow" mode unlike the typical rear mounted brush hogs in order to avoid accidental damage to both yourself and property. Use on steep ground is another whole discussion.
How about it -- users out there ?
