How heavy is TOO heavy?

jr9x23 · Jul 26, 2006

Howdy - first post, here. I have a 1968 Ford 2000 and am looking at a screaming deal on a Howse 6100 6' cutter that weighs about 1000 lbs. I know I am a little short on the horsepower (Howse recommends 40 hp) but am I also going to be lacking in hydraulics? I dont have a FEL. Am I going to be doing wheelies all day? Is the HP issue an absolute minimum? I hate to walk away from a good deal... Anyone with advice? Thanks in advance, Justin

Soundguy · Jul 26, 2006

Just because it has a 40hp gear box does not mean that it needs 40hp to operate.

Your 2000 will spin it fine. The 4 cyl 2000's were 134ci and had about 33 pto hp... that's 6' teritory. The 3 cyl units were better all around... especially if diesel..

Either unit should lift the cutter, assuming your lift is functioning correctly..

An NAA is an early predecessor to the 4 cyl 2000, and it was a 6' cutter unit as well.. though it will spin a 5' like all get out.

For modern comparisons.. look at a NH 1920.. it is 32 hp and rated fro a 6' cutter.

Not sure what trans you have.. but if not live.. get an ORC... for safety..

Soundguy

greg_g · Jul 26, 2006

I read your post differently than Chris, and believe you were advised correctly about needing 40hp. That 6100 is spec'd with an 80hp transmission (6100T is 80hp w/slipclutch). At half a ton for only a six foot swath, it's gotta be extra heavy duty as well. My medium duty IM602 for example (six footer with 40hp tranny and slipclutch) weighs in around 580 pounds. I've got a seven foot finish mower that tips the scales at 861 pounds. And I'm pulling them with a 4400 pound tractor. So I too would be concerned about a thousand pounds of mower behind a 3600 pound Ford 2000.

john_bud · Jul 26, 2006

I "think" that the 40 hp is a general guide and certainly not hard and fast. You will be light on the front end, worst case you have to get some front weights. I would get it!

jb

Farmwithjunk · Jul 27, 2006

jr9x23 said:
Howdy - first post, here. I have a 1968 Ford 2000 and am looking at a screaming deal on a Howse 6100 6' cutter that weighs about 1000 lbs. I know I am a little short on the horsepower (Howse recommends 40 hp) but am I also going to be lacking in hydraulics? I dont have a FEL. Am I going to be doing wheelies all day? Is the HP issue an absolute minimum? I hate to walk away from a good deal... Anyone with advice? Thanks in advance, Justin

Granted, 99.9% of the time, you'll have half the weight of a mower on the ground. (rear tail wheel) But.... You need to take in to account what happens when in transport mode. That mower (with weight given) is a hefty load for that particular tractor to carry around. I'm quite sure it will LIFT that much weight. It's what happens when you start moving on anything but flat smooth ground AND mower lifted. You can hang suitcase weights on the front end to compensate.

You will be operating at or near that tractors capacity (mower width) if you're cutting in HEAVY brush or thick, tall grass/weeds.

I have a late model (1974) 3000 diesel. It handle a 6' mower fairly easily, but tends to get light in the front end under some conditions.

Bottom line? You'll be at the borderline, but a 2000 Ford will handle a 6' mower in MOST conditions. Operating at "full capacity" doesn't do much to prolong the life of any equipment.

firemanpat2910 · Jul 27, 2006

My main concern would be loading unit on a trailer. If you seldom load it you should get by, but if you are loading all the time I would try it before you buy. I have a 2910 2wheel drive Ford with all four tires loaded. When I load my 5' bush hog front wheels stay on the trailer. when I load a 6' heavy duty its wheelie time. I dont even need a seat belt the pucker factor keeps me stuck to the seat

Farmwithjunk · Jul 27, 2006

firemanpat2910 said:
My main concern would be loading unit on a trailer. If you seldom load it you should get by, but if you are loading all the time I would try it before you buy. I have a 2910 2wheel drive Ford with all four tires loaded. When I load my 5' bush hog front wheels stay on the trailer. when I load a 6' heavy duty its wheelie time. I dont even need a seat belt the pucker factor keeps me stuck to the seat

I had that concern too, when i bought a new trailer that has a steeper dovetail ramp than my previous trailer. Now, I just lower the mower to a point where the tailwheel slightly drags the ground as I start up the ramps. As the front wheels climb, weight is shifted to the mowers tailwheel, keeping the tractors front wheels firmly on the trailer deck. As the front wheels crest the dovetail taper, I continue to lower the 3-point hitch, keeping the mower just inches above the ramps. Much less exciting that way.

jr9x23 · Jul 27, 2006

Hey, thanks guys for the info. I am going to go ahead and get it. Its a good enough price that I could resell it no problem if it seems too heavy in use. I won't be tractoring it once it gets here. Thanks again for the help!

Justin

Soundguy · Jul 27, 2006

All of the light front end issues here can be solved with bumper mounted suitcase weights... it is specifically what they were made for. many fords even have OEM brackets for weights..

I have 420# of weight on my 5000 so I can tote a 10' mower, and had 600# on my 7610s also for a large mower.. 10' to 15' etc.

A couple hundred pounds on the front of a tractor makes up for alot of rear weight..

Soundguy

jr9x23 · Jul 27, 2006

Thanks, I remember that the tractor has some weights on the front. I'll ask how much when it gets delivered tonight. I am really excited to get it. Nine hours and counting. This is going to be the longest stinkin' day....

Justin

Soundguy · Jul 27, 2006

Have fun and be safe. Once you get it hooked up.. lift it and try manuvering with it. It will be obvious if the front is real light..

Soundguy

Doc_Bob · Jul 27, 2006

jr9x23 said:
Thanks, I remember that the tractor has some weights on the front. I'll ask how much when it gets delivered tonight. I am really excited to get it. Nine hours and counting. This is going to be the longest stinkin' day....

Justin

Post pics

Bob

Soundguy · Jul 28, 2006

Deffinately gotta see the pics!

Soundguy

jr9x23 · Jul 29, 2006

Okay, so it won't win Best in Show, but its my first tractor and I am happy!

I get the monster brush hog tomorrow. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Thanks for all the helpful info,

Justin

Farmwithjunk · Jul 29, 2006

jr9x23 said:
Okay, so it won't win Best in Show, but its my first tractor and I am happy!

I get the monster brush hog tomorrow. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Thanks for all the helpful info,

Justin

Looks like a good, solid, straight tractor. Should give you many years of dependable service.

HAPPY TRACTORIN'!

Soundguy · Jul 29, 2006

jr9x23 said:
Okay, so it won't win Best in Show, but its my first tractor and I am happy!

I get the monster brush hog tomorrow. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Thanks for all the helpful info,

Justin

That's a clean and mean looking machine!

Soundguy

firemanpat2910 · Jul 31, 2006

Very nice looking tractor. Is that front bumper tubular?

djw250 · Jul 31, 2006

That's a great looking tractor. Somebody obviously took care of it. Should be a good one.

jr9x23 · Aug 4, 2006

Hey, luckily my tractor is more reliable than our broadband connection. I used the brush hog for about 8 hrs now in our pasture and in some areas it had gotten pretty overgrown. I have had no problem with the front end lifting except when I am in real thick stuff, turning tight, and cresting a hump - then the front wheels don't stick and the front end just wanders a little. I just turn a little slower.

Oh, firemanpat2910, the bumper is not tubular, each member is, in section, an arc (maybe a quarter circle).

Thanks again for all your comments.

Justin

wolc123 · Aug 5, 2006

That looks like the 3 cyl deisel. I had one for a long time, finally selling it last year at around 7000 hours. Had to rebuild the starter twice but that was it for problems. You have much more hydraulic power there than needed to lift 1000 lbs, it will put up around 2000 lbs. As others have said your problem will not be hydraulic power but keeping the front end down and weights can fix that. That tractor was really good on fuel. the only thing I didn't like about it was that it was real loud at high rpm, always requiring the use of hearing protection. Also, I would reccomend you use an overrunning coupler with that cutter (around $70 at TSC). The coupler will allow you to quickly go from forward to reverse while cutting and keep the cutter from pushing the tractor while you clutch.