Re: NH1220
DavidR R.,
Based on the info that Bird gave you about the HP, I would say that the 1220 is similar to the new TC18 which I own.
I have 18.5 hp but only 14 pto hp because I have a Hydro tranny. If it were manual, I'd have 15 pto hp.
My tractor is rated for 48" heavy duty rear blade, but I use a 60" Woods heavy blade and it works fine. It's also rated for a 48" rear finish mower, although I use a 60", dealer recommended, and it works great, albeit heavy - had to add almost 200 lbs weight to the front bumper.
However, mine is also rated for a 48" rotary and I use a 48" rotary which I bought this summer at dealer recommendation. Mine is a Woods XT148 light duty, I have only field to mow and it works great. I don't think that I'd want to put a 60" rotary on there since I plan to keep this tractor for awhile! The rotary mower jirates way more than the finish mower and IF you did hit something, I'd feel better with the right size deck on there.
I've read recommendations on here for 4-5 horsepower per foot of rotary. That would mean 20 hp or bigger for a 5' rotary. Some guys have way more hp than that, some probably have less. My TC18 would be between 4 and 5 hp per foot of rotary. Remember, narrower means more passes and more fun tractor time! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Good Luck, JimBinMI