Mowing JD 2320 Rotary Mower Question

[UpstateNYMarine]

I have a JD 2320 that I just got (loving every minute of it ) and now realize that I am going to need the rotary cutter a little sooner than expected. With the latest rains the fields are growing rapidly. Now for my question. I have read on here that the 2320 has plenty of power for a 5' cutter but weight is an issue. I plan on leaving the FEL on while cutting and possibly either front weights or a bucket full of dirt. What are everyone's opinions on the 5' cutter on a 2320 and what are you opinions on the various brands. I have looked at Land Pride and the JD one both between $1,400 and $1,550. That price made me look into the Bush Hog and the Woods. Some help and suggestions here would be great.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[RoyJackson]

I've got a Land Pride which I'm quite happy with...

Your 2320 has 18 PTO HP. It has the power as long as you use a modicum of common sense. You will have to go fairly slow and may have to take partial width passes if the growth is thick. Just use good judgement, and you'll be OK.

Your 2320 has the 3PH lift capacity (a 5' Land pride standard duty cutter weighs about 620 lbs), but your tractor weighs about 1700 lbs (sans loader). You may not want to transport the cutter raised. You will experience a "tail wagging the dog" effect when you have a 600 plus pound implement (especially one as long as a cutter) off the ground behind a 1700 lb tractor.
Even with the loader or front weights, I'd wager that front end of your machine will be feeling a bit light. An abrupt turn with that cutter up could flip your tractor.
One way to get around this is to tow the cutter (when transporting) rather then lift it all the way off the ground. My old 670 has power and weight specs similar to your 2320. I found towing (over short distances...say a couple hundred yards of field) was much safer then trying to transport it raised.

You've got 40 acres. How much brush cutting do you have to do?

 

[UpstateNYMarine]

At this point there is probably about 10-12 or so acres to be cut. But once our house is finished and the final grade and yard are completed I should only have like 6 acres to cut. And maybe if i'm nice I'll help out the neighbor a little. Sounds like a plan. At this point I plan on staying on top of the cutting to make sure it doesn't get too "out of control".

Thanks for the input.

Mike

 

[Efreet]

Here is my take on the situation. I had to make this choice recently, as I just ordered my 2030 with a bunch of attachments. Since a number of people indicated on the board that the 5' cutter is fine with the 2030, I told my sales guy that I wanted the 5'-er.

He kind of looked at me funny, then took me out to the lot, and parked the 2030 next to the cutters... the 5' looked FREAKING HUGE. Mind you, we are talking about the Frontier cutters, as the JD-branded ones are discontinued (I guess). We then hooked up both of them and I took them for a test spin.

There is no doubt in my mind that for my purposes the 4' cutter is the correct size. It felt "just right" on the tractor, while the 5' made me a bit nervous -- even on the dealer's flat lot. I will have to transport the cutter in the lifted position on a twisty, uneven access road to my lower field. There is no way I would feel comfortable doing that with the 5' unit.

I will have the rig soon, and will post about my experience after I give it a go under real life conditions. Who knows, I may wish for a wider cutter later, but for now I am quite content with my decision.

 

[RoyJackson]

Here's a couple pictures of my old 670 with the 5' cutter. This machine had 19 engine HP and about 17 at the PTO. The weight of the 670 (sans loader) is about 1900 lbs. I think that's pretty close to the 2xxx series machines being discussed.
The last pic shows the field I was clearing. This was my first clearing of this field. Most of the brush was as high as the cowl of the tractor...some taller.

The operation went pretty good too. It was slow going though, since I had no idea what was under the brush. Clearing took going slow and partial width passes (as required) to ensure the cutter didn't overload the tractor. I think it stalled once or twice.

So, with some common sense...yes, the 2320 can do the job with a 5' cutter...

For Efreet: Although I could transport this cutter (raised), normally I disconnected the upper link and raised the lowers so the sides wouldn't dig in and towed it. The tail wheel took some of the weight. Even your 4' unit has some weight to it. If you transport in the raised position, it doesn't mean you've got to raise it all the way up. That's a lot of weight extending way back there..make sure you keep the cutter as low as possible and no sudden or abrupt turns. Make sure you've got your seat belt on too. BTW, did you mean 2320 or is the 2030 a new Deere not shown on the web site?

BTW, for you guys who like to keep your tractors pretty...well, brush cutting is really going to dirty them up and you'll probably get some scratches on your new machines. Don't say you weren't warned!

Of course, read my signature line (down below...)

 

[thatguy]

RoyJackson - what type of tires do you have on the rear of your tractor? They dont look like turfs, R1 or r4s to me..

Just curious..

Brian

 

[RoyJackson]

RoyJackson - what type of tires do you have on the rear of your tractor? They dont look like turfs, R1 or r4s to me..

Just curious..

Brian

They're called bar-turfs. That tractor is a 1991 model and I don't know if those tires are available any longer. They did work great though!

 

[al3]

Picture is of an LX4 behind a 4110, second pass in project to clear 1 acre or so. Lots of brush, swamp maple clusters & alders (see 10 footer maple to left in pic). It was an adequate set up---more power would have been good, as I bogged/stalled a few times (going real slow, not a full bite on the clumps). 4 foot was a match for tractor in this particular app. Had a bunch of full size trees to get between & around too, so beside the power issue, smaller equated to more maneuverable. Good luck

 

[RoyJackson]

al3, you really oughta have that ROPS up, especially when brush cutting.

 

[UpstateNYMarine]

Roy,

Your CUT had no problems with the 5'er behind her? Its too late to change my mind now since I already ordered it but just making sure none the less. Also any of you have the iMatch? Do you suggest it and what is a good price on one? Thanks