Ford 1320...enough HP?

[tydp]

I've never owned a SCUT. I MAY buy one to do some finish mowing. Does a Ford 1320 (20 HP, 17 PTO) have enough HP to run a 5' finish mower (3 pt connected)? Thanks in advance...

 

[tawilson]

My first tractor was a 1300 with a 5' Bushhog finish mower and it did just fine.

 

[LBrown59]

I've never owned a SCUT. I MAY buy one to do some finish mowing. Does a Ford 1320 (20 HP, 17 PTO) have enough HP to run a 5' finish mower (3 pt connected)? Thanks in advance...

Yeah.

 

[RobertN]

I had a 4' rotary mower on my previous 19hp tractor. It struggled with it, even in moderate grass. In thick stuff it was a real chore.

Unless you keep your grass well trimmed, I would be cautious about going with that big a mower on that little HP. A finish mower is different than a rotary mower, but I would still want more power. Especially since you want a clean cut; you need those blades spinning...

 

[bp fick]

Apparently, more than a few 54" models are sold, which might be just right size? Do you already own the 60" finish mower?

 

[tydp]

Apparently, more than a few 54" models are sold, which might be just right size? Do you already own the 60" finish mower?

No. I just wanted a 5ft. If all I can run is a 4ft, I'll just keep looking. Had a line on a very clean, low hour 1320 for a good price....

 

[dqdave1]

it will run it with no problem; had one in 1998. You may have to drop down to lower ground speed in really heavy stuff, but it will handle it.

 

[RobertN]

Any idea what the recommended HP is per foot on a finish mower? I know the rule of thumb for a rotary is 5hp/ft on the PTO. My 19hp tractor with 16hp PTO sure struggled with the 4' rotary. It bogged easily, even with sharp blades, and low speed(low range on the 3-range HST). The tractor certainly did the work, for a number of years, but it was agonizingly slow if the grass got thick(field grass).

it will run it with no problem; had one in 1998. You may have to drop down to lower ground speed in really heavy stuff, but it will handle it.

 

[JC-jetro]

Any idea what the recommended HP is per foot on a finish mower? I know the rule of thumb for a rotary is 5hp/ft on the PTO. My 19hp tractor with 16hp PTO sure struggled with the 4' rotary. It bogged easily, even with sharp blades, and low speed(low range on the 3-range HST). The tractor certainly did the work, for a number of years, but it was agonizingly slow if the grass got thick(field grass).

I have heard between 3.5 to 5 pto Hp per foot of rotary cutter. Saying that, and everyone has different experience. Condition of tractor, right rpm has certainly directly relates to the engine HP achieved. I can brush hog 2 foot high stuff at about 1800-2100 rpm with no issue. My tractor is rated to have 23.5 hp at rated rpm of 2500, so I really don't know what hp I have at 2000 unless I have the power curve for my engine. What I'm sure is that I'm getting less than 23 hp and tractor seems to be doing okay. If I did taller and thicker stuff then my tractor squeals like a pig at the rated rpm with the same 5 foot cutter.

JC,

ps. same rpm and two exact tractors and no telling if hp output is exactly the same. Amount of compression and valve blow by might be different.

 

[vettemanwight]

I have a 1210 Ford and I run a 5 ft finish mower and it handles it well although I did have to put weight on the front end.