Brush cutter for 1401D

[hosejockey2002]

Hey guys, I'm about to buy a brush cutter for my 1401D. I'm on the fence about whether to get a 42 or 48 inch. I have heard that it will handle the 48, but marginally. I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with a 1401D or smaller size tractor with either size brush cutter, pros and cons. Thanks.

 

[bruce1966us]

The 1401 has the power to handle a 4ft cutter well but weight is the issue. I would reccommend the 42 inch cutter. I do think you could add weight to the front end and be ok with the 4ft.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[fenneran]

I have a YMG1800D and wanted to get a 5 foot, but was talked into the 4ft by the dealer. Like you, the tractor would have taken it, but I have some steep slopes, which was the deciding factor. I have a FEL on the front, which provides some good weight. So depending on your terrain, you way want to opt for the 42".

-Frank

 

[kayssupply]

I sold a 1401 to a customer. He put on a 48" cutter. He sold the 1401 a year later to get a larger tractor.

 

[professor]

I would certainly go with the 42 inch because of the weight. I have a 1401 and I use a Fred Cain 39 inch wich works perfectly. The cutter is small but heavy duty. It has a blade disk(stump jumper) and can go through heavy vegetation. Its takes a little longer but it is just the thing for the 1401.

 

[hosejockey2002]

I've got an FEL, so I'm not too worried about weight. I'm more concerned about overworking the engine trying to spin that big a blade in anything heavier than light grass. I'm starting a part time side business with my machine and I'm afraid I might tear it up by using too big a cutter. If things go well, I plan to upgrade to 1700-1800 size machine with powershift. Thanks.

 

[DavesTractor]

Go with a 42" and specialize your mowing jobs on areas where a large tractor has problems. You can charge the same amount per hour as a guy with a 6' mower, even though you are only cutting 1/2 acre per hour instead of an acre plus like some larger compacts. If you are mowing for hire, you are going to hit rocks, downed t-posts, concrete, wire, etc. Buy a stout little mower and you might want to spend a little extra to get a slip clutch (sized for your tractor) and get the chain guards on the mower for sure. Make sure you install an overrunning PTO clutch. To not do so would be foolish.

 

[hosejockey2002]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I think the last post sealed it, I'm going for the 42. Definitely going to get an overrun clutch, had already planned on that. I have a question about the slip clutch, does that install on the pto shaft like the overrun clutch, or on the mower?

 

[professor]

Slip clutch goes on the machine. It will connect to the gear box and the pto shaft will attach to it.

 

[normde2001]

Dave, can you use both a slip clutch and an overrun clutch on the same driveline, or will you run into "extension" and "contraction" problems on the driveshaft? I would think the shorter the two piece shaft, the less it can extend and contract.