Does size really make a difference?

[Slippy]

10', 8', or 6' rotary cutter, does the size really make a difference when using a 60 hp tractor? I have been re-thinking my desire for a 10' pull type rotary cutter because of my thoughts about the increased size may also require more hp, hence I will have to slow down. So, does it really make a difference for example if you are cutting with a 6' cutter in high range first gear, or go to a 10' cutter but must gear down to low range 4th gear? In other words, where is the point of return of time and investment with increased size vs. the necessity to slow down? Now I do realize that those that have a 100 hp tractor, no question go big. However, with a utility type tractor seems that the question is worth looking at. And then, what about 8'; increase in speed over 10', but two foot less cutting area.
Also, can anyone help me in explaning why a pull type takes less hp than a 3pt? Or, is that information wrong? I understanding it takes hp when lifting the mower, but of course your blades will be stopped, or should be if you are doing that. While mowing, I really see no difference because the lower arms act as the hitch. Set me straight please.

 

[_RaT_]

I don't think the 3 pt mower requires a tractor with more HP to run the mowers, I think a 3 pt requires a bigger tractor in order to safely lift the entire weight of the mower off the ground and still be safe. Larger tractors will almost always tend to have more HP. As far as width, I think a good deal of your answer lies in what it is your cutting. If its heavily overgrown, very dense or wet or all three you may find yourself slowing down with whatever you choose. We use a 14' mower in between the trees at the orchard and very rarely ever have to slow down. The tractor is a very old Ford with probably 50 HP. Rat...

 

[chrisjbell]

<font color="blue"> I don't think the 3 pt mower requires a tractor with more HP to run the mowers </font>

A smaller tractor will have more trouble with a larger deck due to lack of horsepower. Even if I could slap a bigger deck on my tractor (if weight weren't an issue) I'd have to crawl like a snail to keep from stalling the motor. Even with the deck I have I frequently have to slow down to let the motor build revs back up when I'm in deep grass.

Sigh. Size does matter - at least when it comes to tractors /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif...

 

[Phred]

Slippy,

Rat has it right. The difference is the weight. Heavy duty rotary cutters are heavy.
My 6' medium duty is ~1100 lbs, sticking out about 7-8' off the back.

No dought a 60hp tractor can easily handle a 6' or 8'. When I run my 6' its hard to tell its even there..... except when I cut the heavy stuff like 10' tall 2-3" diameter trees. That tends to slow it down a bit, but it will do it.

If your ground is flat and the brush is not to heavy I suspect the 10' will be no problem.

I find that the limit in how fast you cut is more a function of how rough the field is. I cut at about 6 mph max since otherwise I would likely loose all my teeth from the bouncing around.

Another bonus is the pull type is much easier to connect up.

Fred

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Fred,

How do you like your Bush hog chopper? Have you put many hours on it? I am still thinking of ditching my Woods and don't know if I will get another Woods, or change to a Bush Hog or Rhino. Also, do you regret getting the 6 footer at times or do you like it? I don't mind the 6 footer at times but I will most likely get a 7 if I get a new one only because the 6 doesn't quite cover the wheels on the TN.

Slippy,

If you are cutting large open areas (by large I mean anything over 5 acres) then go with the 10 footer. If you plan on doing some large fields and small ones but have trees and such to mow around look at a 7'-8' cutter. 6' is nice if you are doing real heavy cutting like reclaiming land that has been overgrown as it allows you to take smaller bites. So decide what you need to cut, how often you want to cut it and how much time you want to spend cutting it. A 60hp tractor will handle all the cutters fine if you cut at the right time. Also, you may have to slow down a tad for a 10 cutter but you are cutting almost twice the width that a 6 footer would cut at a slightly faster speed so in the end the 10 footer would still be faster. Later.

 

[JohnMiller3]

With 500 acres… I’d get a 15’ Batwing mower (tow/trailer) for the flat wide open spaces, and gently rolling hills to knock out quickly…



Also have a “smaller” 7’ HD rotary cutter (3-pt) for the tight areas with obstructions and the steeper areas and hills, and to use for the serious cutting of 4” + stuff…

 

[Slippy]

All of your suggestions are good ones. Here are some more facts that certainly will effect the choice.

1. I already have a 6' 3pt cutter that does fine on the steep slopes, around the ponds, and the trails.

2. I have about 250 acres of open pastures, rolling hills. Really, not much of my property is "flat". However, not much of what I want to mow is real steep, but is is rolling, i.e., up and down, rolling, probably 15 to 35 degree slopes which most of which can be mowed across safely.

John: Thanks for the great pictures. What size tractor is pulling that 15' batwing? Any idea on the price of one of those? In the past you have helped me with pictures of the Kodiac cutters. I have had problems locating them in my area of the U.S., and the cost of shipping gets them up in the price range of the big name brands, meaning I might as well buy one of those. I have recently seen the International Super 10. Weighs in at 2280 lbs. In another post, Ken Sweet talks about the mower and that one is in his shop for repair.

Now you really got me thinking...if I am going to have to slow down anyway, which probably results in less stress on tractor, mower, and me, should I consider a 15'? As you know, my tractor is rated 50 hp pto, 60 engine. It dyno (sp) out at about 55 hp pto. Also, is that batwing a bush cutter or a finish mower, or I suppose it might be both? I'm not sure how you do the figuring, but use the number 50 for pto hp, and you have three 5' rotary cutters, the math leave about 16 hp per blade without deduction for making the whole thing move. I'll tell you though, that bat wing sounds better and better the more I think about it, i.e., it is only 5' across for transport, etc., not to mention for every three swipes with the 10 footer, I would only have to make two with the 15 footer. Ok, now you really got me wondering...help!

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">( What size tractor is pulling that 15' batwing? ) </font>

Click on the pictures for spec's... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

50 PTO hp to run a 15' batwing rotary cutter...

Gatorboy or CCI may know better about price... ~~$9-12K ?

 

[Slamfire]

I'm pulling a 5' tow behind, I'd have trouble with more than a 4' 3 point model. I leave the tranny out of gear until I get the blade spinning real good then double clutch to put the tractor in motion. For really tight spots where I can't turn the rotary around, I use a Wheel Horse mower. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif