HP difference between finish and rotary mower

KiotiJohn · Jun 23, 2004

( What is it with these "high horse power ratings" to run a mower? Do they need these high HP ratings because people are "scalping" their grass? )
I'm always amazed at how high they make these minimums when MANY cutters will operate with from 15HP up. A 40 HP PTO will operate very large cutters. John

grandad · Jun 23, 2004

Depends on whether you are talking a light, medium or heavy duty brush cutter. Your TN should easily handle a light or medium 84", and you could even go with one of the smaller bat-wing units. But I think it might be a bit light in weight and horsepower for one of those bigger HD units, which are often recommended for tractors of 75hp and up.

Other factors: What will you be cutting, how many acres, what do you want to spend? Once you go above 72", the units start to get pricey and may only be worth it if you have the acreage.

Unless your dealer is making some kind of judgement based on those factors(or has a 72" cutter he's trying to unload /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif), it doesn't make sense for him to say your TN is only fit for a 6 footer.

Keith_TN65 · Jun 24, 2004

Well, I'm looking at getting at either a medium duty Woods or Land Pride. The Land Pride literature states a minimum of 60 HP is required for a 84". The Woods literature states a minimum of 40 HP for the 84". The Woods was ~1280 lbs while the Land Pride is ~1260 lbs.

One thing my dealer did say that does make sense to me is on the TN65, I should be able to mow more area faster with the 6' because I'll be able to increase my ground speed. He said the 7' machine would be pushing the limits of my machine, forcing me to go slower. And really, for the acreage that I have to mow now, I don't NEED /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif a 7'. I was just looking to get something that was wider than the tires of the tractor. (about 78") /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gatorboy · Jun 24, 2004

( The Land Pride literature states a minimum of 60 HP is required for a 84". ) 

Get the PULL-TYPE mower, and then the PTO requirements drop to 30 HP.

grandad · Jun 24, 2004

Covering your tracks is definitely a plus, offset by less ability to maneuver. All due respect to your dealer, but I'm still thinking you have the ponies to pull something bigger than 6ft., if it's mostly pasture mowing.

Just for comparison, I pull a 6' Befco medium duty cutter with my 46hp Kubota, and the only time it even works the engine a little is in thick, wet grass being cut really low. Most of the time it loafs along with no drop in rpm, even though I only run it at maybe 2/3 of full PTO speed, with all the ground speed you'd want without getting crazy. Always figured the Kubota could have handled an 84", but my acreage didn't demand it.

You have almost half again the hp of my rig and more weight, so I'd certainly expect you should be able to go up another size on your cutter also.

Wonder if your dealer would let you "road test" an 84" for an afternoon out at your place to see how it works with your TN. If you are regarded as a regular customer and he knows he's got a sale of either a 6ft or a 7ft, he might let you try out a 7 footer before making a commitment one way or the other.