Deere Rotary Cutters

[VTer]

I'm getting closer to signing the papers for a 4310. I would like to get a 5' rotary cutter. Candidates are LX-5, MX-5, and a Woods Model 60 (Standard Duty). The rental guy in town rents and sells Woods...he thinks they are great. He also mentioned that the Woods was good for "stump jumping" because of the design of the housing which holds the blades. The Woods and the LX-5 are about the same price. The MX-5 is of course more $$$.

Any strong opinions on these cutters? Are the LX and MX series cutters good at "stump jumping" too? I will be cutting hayfield and light brush for my personal use, however, I am planning on starting a business where I anticipate a low level of commercial usage.

There is the IMatch consideration but I'm getting telescoping links so not as concerned on this. It could be the Woods is IMatch compatible for all I know.

The JD dealer of course wants to keep me "green".

Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

The Deere have stump jumpers too. Also, likely more rugged, at least the MX5.

But your choice, and your decision. I know what mine would be, but that doesn't affect you.

Good luck and hope you enjoy what ever you get.

I look at it like the contested calls in the football game. Unless there is real good evidence to make a change, I would go Green. But you will be making a statement either way you go. Just depends on what, and to whom, that statement will be. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jhortonvt]

VTer,
I got a used LX5 with my 4310 from Harvest Equipment in Swanton. Apparently the guy had bought it for some commercial work, and gave it more than it could handle. He must have been mowing rocks, there is a 5 foot diameter circle of dented sheetmetal around the top of it, I don't know if anything could have tolerated what he was doing without any damage.
So it needs a little body work but works fine, especially for what I am going to use it for-which is pretty much the same as what you described. I have 7.5 acres of former hayfield that I will knock down as needed. I don't know what kind of commercial work you're talking about but it seemed to me an LX5 is the perfect cost/performance attachment for the job.

By the way I know you where shopping the dealers, I'll just add that Scott Miller at Harvest was great to talk to and I could not be happier with the way everything went-especially the delivery /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Give him a call.

Good Luck, I love being Green!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Get the best price you can on an MX5 and never look back!! It is in a league by itself, and will make up for the difference doing commercial work. All you have to do is turn wide once with the LX, hit a post or tree and it is history

 

[dmccarty]

VTer,

Look under the cutters and see for yourself. You should be able to see the stump jumber.

I have a MX6. Its eaten quite a few rocks and a few stumps. I don't abuse it at least intentionally but I do use it. No complaints.

Later,
Dan

 

[rockyridgefarm]

If you are going to be using this commercially, there are some important concerns.

The LX has a small oval jumper, the MX has a huge round one.

The sidewalls on the LX are 1/8" (hence my earlier comment, bend that and there is likely to be a loud bang and no more spinning blade) The MX is 1/4"

The MX includes the safety chains front and rear. They are extra on the LX and almost every other cutter. They are a must for commercial work for liability alone, not to mention your own neck (literally!)

The MX includes the slip clutch. The pto comes on with so mutch force that it will snap shear pins left and right...

The MX looks very professional behind your tractor, to give customers a better perception...

The MX cutting chamber is designed for maximum cutting speed, and it really is fast, and does a very clean job.

I went through a huge ordeal finding a good cutter. I tried lotsa them. I took an LX back and now have an MX and I am not letting it go.... After configuring just about any cutter the same as the MX, there was very little difference in price. But the MX was much nicer.

But it sure is heavy!

 

[cowboydoc]

If you're thinking of stump jumping the LX is not the one to get. That unit is made just for mowing grass, small weeds, and not much in diameter. If you need to mow brush, etc. and have alot of stumps, rocks, you need to at minimum go up to the MX and would probably be better off with the HX if you have alot of rough ground, big diameter stuff, and rocks.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

OK, I admit that I am CRAZY /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif pulling an MX6 with my 4310... But Doc wants an HX! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just funnin' ya Doc! I am sure it is amazin"!!!

 

[VTer]

Gentlemen - What a wealth of knowledge! Thank you very much for the comments....looks like the MX-5 is the way to go. I was quoted $1950 for the MX-5. I told the dealer that that was too high. He said he would "sharpen his pencil" and get back to me. The LX-5 with slip clutch was quoted at $1250.

Any problem with the 4310/MX-5 combo? It would seem that the MX-5 is at the upper limit of the 4310's capabilities.

Thanks again.

 

[cowboydoc]

$2500 is list price on the MX6. At $1950 you are getting a great deal on it. That's about 23% off of list. I couldn't do any better than that. You might also look at the 609. That is the heavy, heavy duty one for that tractor.