Mowing 513 Rotary Mower

2_J_Marlin_Ranch · Jun 24, 2001

Just finished mowing my upper corral and one of my lower pastures yesterday and once again I am thoroughly impressed with the performance of yet another John Deere product. I have previously owned "Other" Brands of rotary mowers and not a single unit can hold a candle to the quiet, low vibration, low noise and life-lasting construction of this fine Deere product.....My neighbor in ORANGE(L3010) just watches with binoculars while I tend to my chores in my 4300 HST and now utilizing my 513 behind, it makes quite an impression on those who thought they were buying equipment from the "Other" manufacturers who, by the way, use John Deere as a yardstick in all their comparisons......Funny isn't it? If you really want the best machine......it's just got to be GREEN!!! These forums tell the story and John Deere is right on track with the 4000 series tractors....it's like owning a Harley Davidson....the older it gets, the more it's worth!

luther · Jun 25, 2001

Amen brother, Amen!

cowboydoc · Jun 26, 2001

After using this 4600 for almost a year now I'd have to agree with you!

Hillbilly · Jul 1, 2001

I have had a JD 513 for a year,now I too like the Green Stuff,my dealer sold me this 513 rotary cutter when I bought the JD 4400 hydro,I found out this 513 is NOT ah heavy built product.Go look at a King Kutter brand or a Woods brand.The 513 is alright for weeds but not brush,and is way overpriced. It is smooth running but the metal it is made of is paper thin,if you back into a small saplin,or stump or rock it will bend very easy,I had to take mine to the a local welder after about 2 weeks and have 3/8 re-enforcement welded on the back part of the deck,the sides could use it some time although not near as badly. When I bought my tractor I bought green,but I should have been more critical of my purchase when I bought the 513.I have a JD 660 rotary tiller,fine piece of equipment,I have the model 45 back blade,its ok. I have the new JD post hole digger which I have not used yet. Believe me as you well know you pay a premium for JD green. The 513 has been my biggest dissapointment,it is paper thin in the housing,bottom line........ Go look at a "King Kutter" go look at a "Woods" you can get a lot more value for your money and heavier piece of equipment for your money if you buy one of these,I probably should have had the MX series.I was on the jplan.com board and another poster commented about how he "marveled at the amount of dings and dents" on his 513 rotary cutter,after very little use.I guess they would be alright if you were cutting strictly grass and weeds in a smooth enviroment.If I have to get another rotary cutter I will buy a "Bush Hog" or "woods" etc and paint it green to match the tractor.
Now listen to this:
My JD 4400 after 175 hours of operation it had to go to the shop:
1. Differental lock failure.
2.Had to replace the hydro tranny because of the metal shavings from the differental lock failure.
3.Replaced the starter.
4.Replaced the fuel pump.
5.Leaking hydraulic fluid from the top of the rear end.
John Deere service and warranty work was excellent,thank goodness this was covered under warranty.
A JD rep even called me and told me this was an embarrasment to JD to have so many things go wrong on a JD tractor.
I had a Mitsubishi "Beaver III" for 17 years it never went to back to the dealer 1 time and it seen it all. Just because it is green it is better,I do not think so.

kerr · Jul 1, 2001

My J.D.manual clearly states that the 413,513,613 cutters are great for light duty cutting,like grasses and weeds.The 516-616 are for 2in and smaller brush."medium-duty"

kerr · Jul 1, 2001

What you said!

Hillbilly · Jul 1, 2001

Mine can handle the heavier stuff since I added the 3/8 stock,but for the price they sell these 513's for is way overpriced compared to what you can get a heavier built cutter for a lot less without the JD name and green paint.

2_J_Marlin_Ranch · Jul 2, 2001

Boy, you folks sure do come down on someone for bragg'in 'bout his green.....just thought I'd mention, I too have owned the "other" so-called heavy duty rotary mowers and I don't care who you are, if your out there smashing rocks with the darn thing all day,,,,,,they'll ALL end up with dents........sometimes it's unavoidable, but for the most part, I go out before I mow and walk the area to check for the obvious hazards......EVERYTHING in equipment has it's limitations.......some people just can't tell when they've reached them..............until it breaks!!!!!!

Hillbilly · Jul 2, 2001

Aint know one "smashin rocks" here if you was going to walk the ground here and pick up stuff before you mowed,thats all you would do is be combing the hillsides and crawling on your hands and knees and looking.I guarantee you a "King Cutter " will not bend as easy,the 513 is way ovepriced and very cheaply made in comparisson to a "King Cutter" "Woods Brand" "Land Pride",just go out and look.Theres a difference between a dent and ping, versus having the whole back part of the shroud fold, and having to pull it out and straighten it out then put a little 3/8 reinforcment on it to keep it from happening again. The 513 mows great,it is for light duty as is:but John Deere has the prices of these implements way to high,the John Deere 660 tiller is another example $2500,heck you can buy a tiller built just the same for about $1000.