Finally a tractor owner!!

TigerfaninAR · Apr 6, 2010

I've been reading and lurking here for almost 2 years and today finally bought a tractor. Not a new one but will be my first tractor. Got a B7300 with 850 hours. Super excited to get started on projects at our land where our house will be built.

My first question is if I need a rotary cutter or finish mower. I know the difference between the two but I'm kinda in between. Right now the grass is only about shin to knee high and not real thick (yet). I mowed all of it last year with a little JD X300. Not a rock on the place, just some small limbs that would need to be picked up. Could probably get away with cutting in much less with a RC but definitely won't need the RC after this year. (I think I just talked myself into the finish mower). :confused2:

I know a 4ft. bushhog, what about finish mower? Can it handle a 5 ft finish mower?

Now off to get my box blade. :licking:

tractorshopper · Apr 6, 2010

Let me be the first to say Congratulations and I hope I will also soon own my first real tractor.

Bird · Apr 6, 2010

I know a 4ft. bushhog, what about finish mower? Can it handle a 5 ft finish mower?

I think a 4' finish mower is the recommendation. My dealer told me several years ago that he had customers who were happy with 5' mowers, but a 5' mower will be a bit heavy for the 3-point to lift and if you lift it, your front wheels may not have enough ground contact for good steering. Of course as long as you leave it on the ground, it can be done.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 6, 2010

Congratulations! Get the RFM. I don't know about your model but I had a B7800 31HP and used a 6' Landpride RFM on it. The tractor pulled it fine and ran it fine but....when getting to the bottom of my hill the deck would sort of turn the tractor. It was no problem because I knew it was going to do it. I had a cheap RFM before the Landpride which never swung the tractor but I'll never buy another cheap mowing deck again. Barlows gave me the $1200 back that I paid for the cheapo toward the $1700 Landpride. If your property is flat you may be able to stretch the size abit.

Bird · Apr 6, 2010

John, I think the B7300 was only 12.5 hp so a 5' mower would really be pushing the limit, if not a little too much.

/pine · Apr 6, 2010

Congrats on the purchase...(you're a "fuel" man now)

Welcome to the (older) low end HP B series club...
I have a B1700 (1995 480 hrs) 4X4 w/LA301 FEL

The B7300 is very similar to the B1700 so I will be interested in your experiences and implement purchases...you didn't mention the type of transmission HSD ?

according to tractordata.com the B7300

Engine: 16 hp [11.9 kW]

PTO (claimed): 12 hp [8.9 kW]

Weight: 1320 to 1500 pounds

Rear lift: 1100 lbs [498 kg]

Rear PTO: live

Rear RPMs: 540,2461

Have fun...

TigerfaninAR · Apr 6, 2010

If your property is flat you may be able to stretch the size abit.

Property is flat as a pancake. People I've talked to today are about split on 4ft vs. 5 ft finish mower for this tractor on flat land. There still some leveling in places (bulldozer has been there making drive etc) so I believe I'll just go with the RC and wait until the house is done before worrying about a finished yard. The RC and boxblade will keep my busy for a while.

When that time comes, do they make a 54" finish mower?

TripleR · Apr 6, 2010

Congratulations on your new acquisition. I think you will be happier with a good quality finish mower. I have a seven and eight foot model and you can mow some pretty tall stuff by raising it up fairly high then going over it again. I get a much nicer cut than with a rotary cutter, but need both for my properties.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 6, 2010

TripleR said:
Congratulations on your new acquisition. I think you will be happier with a good quality finish mower. I have a seven and eight foot model and you can mow some pretty tall stuff by raising it up fairly high then going over it again. I get a much nicer cut than with a rotary cutter, but need both for my properties.

Is a rotary cutter the same as a bushhog/brushhog? If so, don't they require more pto hp than a finish mower? Can't see you have any need for RC if it's a bush hog, get the finish mower to start with and to stay with. If your tractor only has 12.5 Hp then you need some advise from someone that has one and what they use as far as size.

TigerfaninAR · Apr 6, 2010

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Is a rotary cutter the same as a bushhog/brushhog? If so, don't they require more pto hp than a finish mower? Can't see you have any need for RC if it's a bush hog, get the finish mower to start with and to stay with. If your tractor only has 12.5 Hp then you need some advise from someone that has one and what they use as far as size.

That's my understanding, a RC is a bushhog. We call them bushhogs around here as well. Maybe reading too many posts from some yankees.

Woods has a 54" RFM that should work. Confused again.:confused2: