Rotary Cutter JD MX5 Rotary Cutter

[Anonymous Poster]

Would like to hear from someone that owns or has seen an MX5 rotary cutter. It seems better outfitted than most in it's class (chains and clutch) but I've never seen one except in the brochures.

 

[john_bud]

Algray,

I looked at the MX5 and bought a Woods BrushBull BB600. Locally, it was about $3-400 less than the MX5 and seemed to be a LOT beefier. The MX line (according to the JD dealer) didn't come with chains standard. They were an extra cost item. Did JD change marketing strategy?

John Bud

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...The MX line (according to the JD dealer) didn't come with chains standard. They were an extra cost item. Did JD change marketing strategy?...</font color=blue>

Actually, the chains come standard, but you can order 'without' and you get a "credit" of xxx amount of dollars off the unit...

Since both units are brand spanky new... it may take a few years of "field use" to determine who's gonna hold up better to the "brush hogging torture tests"...

Upper deck wise... I'm leaning toward Woods... but the jury is still out on the "gearboxes"...

If I had to pick between the two... I'd select the Woods MD series over JD MX units... if you want a third choice... take a look at Brown units... closer to Woods HD series and JD 609/709 series for the same (MD) money... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Not sure, but my dealer made a point out of the fact that the MX5 had a clutch and chains. For that price difference, I would have expected a wellconstructed mower.

Two weeks ago I had decided to buy all Deere, but then found this site I have had to question just about every attachment purchase. Thanks for the advice.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...For that price difference, I would have expected a wellconstructed mower...</font color=blue>

I think the MX series rotary cutters are very well built... what are some other John Deere implements you have purchased...?

The last couple of years, John Deere has seemed to price a number of implements with the rest of the market... down the road if you ever sell any JD stuff... I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to see the extra high resale value a potential buyer places on John Deere <font color=green>Green...</font color=green> /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

John how do you feel about the JD 513 series rotary cutters....built like a tank./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif....../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color=blue>...built like a tank...</font color=blue>

Oh the x13 series... They look like they got hit by a tank and got ran over several times... and that's only after the first day of usage... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

Mine is a pretty good one now....After 2 trips to the welding shop and some 3/8" stock around the side and across the end of it.

 

[LuvMy670]

<<Oh the x13 series... They look like they got hit by a tank and got ran over several times... and that's only after the first day of usage...

So what happened to your X13 rotary cutter that made it look like it was hit by a tank?????? I just ordered a 413.. it was a lot cheaper than the Woods and had the chains, the foot guard, the stump jumper and slip clutch included for about 250 bucks less. I looked at the specs of the other ones and they were about the same except the blade speed on the Woods was a tiny bit higher. That included the deck thickness. I haven't gotten it yet, but should have it next week.

I am not mowing really heavy duty stuff except some next to my fence on my neighbor's side. He has decided to let it grow into a North American version of the Amazon. But mostly I could cut my field with a JD finish mower. Took a while and it ate blades, but it did a nice job.

LuvMy670

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

The housing on the 513 cutter is as thin as paper,I had a King Cutter I used for years on my farm and never had a problem,but the 513 is a light duty cutter. Mine cuts very well,but it would not hold up to any brush,less than 2 weeks old I had it in the welding shop having re-enforcements welded on it,it is a much better unit now.I seen some pictures of the 513 on this forum at one time setting on a dealership lot all banged to pieces.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=56097&page=&view=&sb=&o=&fpart=all&vc=1>Brush Hog Talk and Pix’s…</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-62146-8040017.jpg>One year old… JD 513-Light Duty…</A>

Hi...

As you can see, partially my comments are tongue-in-cheek... but mostly experiences... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Truthfully, I haven't seen any benefit from the JD x13 series... across the board I feel JD offers 110% quality and value in just about everything they do... except this x13 series...

There are way too many other rotary cutters offered on the market that are considerably less money and far more durable than what the JD x13 series offers... Here's a perfect example of "truly not getting your money's worth"...

At best... I would consider the x13 series a heavy duty finish mower...... not even a light duty rotary cutter...

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

Hey John,
John Deere still sell these 513 rotary cutters(right?)Don't they realize what an over priced piece of junk they are?

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Scott,

I know John Deere addresses problems... and this line is currently being replaced with the new "LX" series... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I think JD gearboxes are super units... they just had a couple "weak links" they appeared to take care of and hopefully they will have a much better "entry level" standard duty rotary cutter line...

 

[beenthere]

I think the MX rotary mowers are built for heavy duty. I have the Deere 513, and I also beefed up the thin steel on the rear curtains of the deck with 1 1/2 square tubing. Mostly bent it up when backing up and plowing dirt, rocks, and roots when mowing in reverse up a bank. It handles brush very well and has seen a lot of use that way.
One might look at the Frontier line that Deere has, as it all looks very well built to me (if you want to stay with the Deere dealer).