JD 5103 and Rotary Cutter help

[jd5448]

I'm looking at a Woods 720 rotary cutter to clear a couple of acres at my place. I will have to remove many small pine trees 1 to 2 inch in diameter. The 720 is rated to cut brush up to 2 inches, but I'm not sure my tractor (JD 5103) is big enough to handle it (the cutter is a little over 1100lb with 120+ HP gearbox). I have also looked the JD MX6 and Bush Hog 296. All three weigh about the same, cut about the same and are not that much different in price. I quess my real question is: Is a 5103 big enough to handle these medium duty cutters or should I drop back to a light duty? I am posting a picture of my tractor and some of the clearing job in the background. Most of the pines are behind the row of hardwood scrub.

 

[gf5205]

It will handle it just fine. I have a 5203 and a MX-6 and they work great together. I've had to add 400 lbs. to the front end to balance the weight, but I don't have a loader on mine. You'll be fine.
Greg

 

[Z-Michigan]

I agree; the 5103 shouldn't have any issue with this size of cutter. Have fun!

 

[unreconstructed]

My 5203 spins my MX-6 like a top. I have a FEL so there's no problem with being light on the front. The 03 s are good stout little tractors and you will have no problem with a heavier shredder (rotary cutter).

 

[Bob_Young]

I use a Woods BB720 behind both a Ford 4000 and a Kubota L4300. It's a bit much for the L4300 (45HP), but seems to work OK if I keep the FEL on the tractor and/or hook the 720 up 2pt. to keep the tailwheel on the ground. Without the FEL, the 720 would pull the front wheels off the ground if I tried to raise it all the way.

It does better behind the 2WD Ford 4000 (52HP). All it needs to be an ideal match is a 200-300lbs. of iron on the front of the tractor. The front of the 4000 gets a bit light when I go up the ramp onto the trailer. For the real nasty stuff or uneven terrain, I use the 4000. For cutting in more open, even areas, I'll use the L4300.

I think you'll do fine with your 5103 if you've got a good set of suitcase weights in front. That machine specs out close to the Ford 4000 in many respects. Does your tractor manual have a table that lists max. recommended sizes/weights for various implements? That should be your guide. The BB720 is about 300lbs. above what Kubota recommends for the L4300...

Like you, I needed a cutter that could take a beating. Didn't want to buy a 'medium duty' that would need to be replaced in 5 or 10 years. Still my old Woods 5' Dixie Cutter withstood 30 years of outright abuse. Looks like it's falling apart, but it still works. Woods medium duty stuff is tougher than it looks.
Bob

 

[jd5448]

I did find that the implement code for a MX6 is 82 while the max for my tractor is 115. The 720 is about 100lbs heavier so I think I will be ok. The manual also indicates that about 400 lb of front weight is required based on this code. I hope my FEL will provide the required weight (i can always adjust with dirt!). Other than this I could find no other weight spec other than hitch lift capacity at around 3000lbs.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The 512 FEL probably weighs around 1000lbs total with bucket. That's not carried as far forward as suitcase weights would be, but I imagine it should be adequate.

 

[HillbillyFarmer]

I did find that the implement code for a MX6 is 82 while the max for my tractor is 115. The 720 is about 100lbs heavier so I think I will be ok. The manual also indicates that about 400 lb of front weight is required based on this code. I hope my FEL will provide the required weight (i can always adjust with dirt!). Other than this I could find no other weight spec other than hitch lift capacity at around 3000lbs.

I have an MX6 on a 5205 w/FEL and no other weights. No problem going up and down mowing radically steep WV hillside pastures.

 

[itsmegg]

I have a 5103 with 400#'s on the front with an MX6. It is a brand new set up so I have not cut much. I can tell you for sure that the MX6 is very heavy and I do not think it will handle good with out front end weight. When it is lifted my back tires bulge quite a bit more than I am confortable with. All that being said it cuts fine. I've cut some 1-2" stuff with it and it breezed right through it. My only concern is the weight.