DK65S & 8ft BushHog

[gamble77]

Hey guys, just wondering if any of you dealers and/or owners can attest to the pulling power of the DK65 or DK65S with a heavy duty 8ft rotary cutter behind it (like a BushHog 3008). I am not questioning if the tractor can lift the mower but how well the machine does in thick heavy grass.

Of course we also sell FarmTrac and their 665 2wd model seems to handle a 8ft BushHog and its only 60hp at the motor and 52hp at the PTO. Again, it pulls it fine but when you get into thick stuff its all that tractor wants.

On paper the DK65S should handle an 8ft mower, just wanted to some real world experience if anybody has any, thanks.

 

[RedDog]

<font color="blue">owners can attest to the pulling power of the DK65 or DK65S with a heavy duty 8ft rotary cutter </font>


8' will be a toy behind the 65!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I use a 12' Bush-hog behind mine. I mow this field once or twice a year. I mow in 9th gear for about 95% of it. A couple of hills, I will drop down to 8th.

RedDog

 

[powerstroke2000]

One thing you will find out about the DK 65 is the that the motor is underrated. The ones we put on the dyno all ran between 62 and 65 hp on the pto. I am hoping the DK 65s will be the same way, will have to see.

 

[tractorhill]

I have customs pulling 15ft batwing
no problem for 8 foot

 

[gamble77]

Ok, an 15ft batwing is overkill...but there is also a difference between pulling 15ft batwing throgh pasture that is kept clean and pulling at 8ft through actual brush that has never been cut. Of course the DK65S would have no problem pulling a 8ft through pasture...

So anybody pulling a 8ft with a DK55? (lift type)

 

[bigtractor]

I have a fellow with a 55.
He says a 7 footer in heavy pasture drags her down and he has to go slooow.
He mowed recently with his 6 footer and told me he could mow faster and he saved time over the 7.

Sometimes bigger ain't better.

DAve

 

[RedDog]

Man is this guy "scalping" the field? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'm having a hard time believing a DK55 has troubles with a 7' bushhog.

RedDog

 

[bigtractor]

We have tough Bahia grass down here and it grows lush.

He field cuts for a living and has several large tractors. Not cutting our units just being realistic.

 

[gamble77]

Well if you go by BushHog's specs on their 287 (7 foot) cutter they recommend a minimum of 50hp at the PTO. That is the same recommended minimum PTO hp for their 3008 (8ft) cutter. Thats why I am not a huge fan of 7ft cutters, if your tractor has enough a$$ to pull a 7ft then 90% of the time it should be able to pull a 8ft. And I don't mean little cheap cutters, but heavy duty machines. And it doesn't suprise me at all that a DK55 gets bogged down with a 7ft cutter in thick stuff...think I will push a heavy duty 6ft cutter for the DK55's I sell.

 

[RedDog]

<font color="blue">think I will push a heavy duty 6ft cutter for the DK55's I sell. </font>


Wow!! My Dad runs a 6' with his 8N. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Granted it is a 6 cylinder, but still.

Will a 6 footer even cover the tracks? To me a 6 footer behind a DK55 makes the tractor look weak. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

RedDog