Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72" RFM

[TNfolksnSC]

Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

Thanks again to all who have weighed in on my original post. I just wanted to add some information that I got when I called Woods direct and asked for their technical department. My question to them was "What is the minimum PTO HP recommended for your premium 60" rear finish mower?" The answer: 15HP. When I asked the same question for a 72" RFM they replied 25HP. I'm not an engineer and I don't know how to calculate it but I was surprised that an increase of 12" or 20% more cutting width requires an increase of 10 HP or 66%.
On paper, sounds like the 60" is no problem and the 72" is marginal. In the real world, many have replied that they have no problem with the 72". Will I finish mowing 20% sooner with the larger mower? So many variables! I'm about ready to stop shopping and go buying!

 

[crown]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

I'm with you I see no reason that your B3030 would not handle the Woods RD 7200, I mow with a Woods RD 6000 with my B-7500 never had any problems.

For what it is worth my neighbor has a NH 29DA and he mows with a Woods RD 7200.

I think you will be fine.

 

[Henro]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

I guess the question I would ask is how the B3030 can handle a 72 inch MMM...but not have the PTO HP to handle a Woods 72 inch RFM?

A 72" rear finish mower would not worry me, judging from the way a Woods 60" performed on my B2910...which is essentially the same tractor as the B3030...

 

[kingoflawns]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

Both machines will do the job well, i'm going for the 60" for my 3030. I like the landpride rfm over the woods, i think they will be close on price. Good to see you around henro.

 

[Oleozz]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

I mowed my lawn for years with a Woods RD 72 using a JD 870 that has 25 hp. PTO. Never had any problems even in thick wet grass. The Woods leaked gear oil after the first year of use and one dealer told me that's the reason he stopped selling Woods. Hopefully they've corrected that problem; the mower gave a very fine cut, much nicer than my ZTR.

 

[Sully2]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

I cant speak for any rear mount mower...never had any. But years ago I did have a 60" MMM on an old kubota ( a model 5100 I think it was..2 WD..4 speed tranny..2 cyl and a whopping 12 HP) and that thing cut grass SUPERB. I cant for the life of me believe that a B3030 with 30 HP "cant" operate a 72" RMR. It "may" be heavy to litft and transport..( ?????) but the actual cutting should be no problem whatsoever.

 

[kingoflawns]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

The tractor is 30 horse,the rear pto is only 23!

 

[HammerFour]

Re: Follow up post to Can Kubota B3030 handle 72\" RFM

I run a 72" RFM on a Kubota L2350, the tractor has around 23 pto hp and does just fine.

If the grass was a foot tall and wet, I would likely have to slow down a bit, but for normal mowing it is just fine as fast as I feel like driving the tractor.

I did get annoyed with constantly fixing the little donut tires on the mower deck, ( it's a King Kutter with those little bitty tires ) so I had them filled with urethane or whatever last summer, no more flats.