LX5 versus MX5

[Haney]

I know the MX series is the Cadilac of JD rotary cutters, but I am very happy with the LX5 that I just purchased. I have about 5 acres of pasture/yard to take care of and it does a fine job. I have even used it on the edges to knock down 1" sapplings with no problem. My LX5 came with both front and rear chain guards, laminated rear wheel and slip clutch. It cost me $1300 out the door. The MX5 was going to cost me $2000. From my limited experience with this unit behind my 4300, it does a fine job for light to medium use.

To answer the original question, I would pay the extra $85 dollars and get the slip clutch to add to the LX5 that you have based on the useage you described...

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

If you are cutting beefy stuff, get the MX.

If your just maintaining a field, the LX will suffice plenty good. The blade speed is not that important, for a test, I've lowered my RPM's down to as low as 1600 (2500 normal) to see what happens. Well, my dull blades (from hitting big rocks) still cut reasonable well and at max RPM, they can still hurl a rock plenty far.

Yes, it looks like a tin can shinny Mike.

The LX5 slip clutch model still has a shear bolt and it too gives out every 10 or so hours of cutting. The 4310 PTO hits hard even at idle. I've loosened the slip clutch and learned to use shear bolts with poly lock nuts. Don't tighten the poly lock nut to torque the bolt too much or it will shear in an hour or 2.

 

[Adirondaks]

I have the MX5 on my 4410. I use it for trail making. Anything that I can drive over with the FEL the MX5 will cut. I am suprised at its power. I have hit a fair amount of hidden rocks and ledges mostly shale so the hit is not too hard. If you search for post using MX5 you may find my pics from 2 years ago showing the cuts. or search for all of my post.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

<font color="green"> Yes, it looks like a tin can shinny Mike. </font>

Hint: The cup holder is fer SOFT drinks ony....

texicans.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Conservative1]

day late and a dollar short, but I wanted to post my experience with the LX5 attached to my 790, with the knowledge that I'm probably gonna jinx myself, but (knocking on the desktop) I've hit granite and limestone, scalped dirt twice, and hit a solid stump, and my LX5 has never sheared a bolt. It is bent up just a tad along the front leading edge, and the blade hit the top of the deck once, causing some grinding and repainting, but I've not broken a bolt yet. It cuts well enough on our 8 acres of rough goat pasture, and has tackled some 3/4" brush well. It made a lot of noise, but cut right through it. I did go slowly.
I debated the MX when I bought my rig, but decided the cost wasn't worth it, as the pasture is not THAT important. I cut three times a year, and have used her for three years. I also use the LX to cut a swath along the driveway and around the shop.
Again, I might be jinxing myself, but I have a few bolts as spares should the inevitable ever happen, but so far, no worries.
I'm happy with my choice. If I had to cut bigger stuff, or more acreage, I would upgrade. For now, the LX5 has been rock solid.
C1

 

[SteveH_CT]

I just bought an LX5 as well. It's being delivered next week. I hadn't considered the slip clutch since I'm only cutting weeds and a small hayfield (maybe 2.5 acres of field total). My land is very flat, no stumps to speak of, the worst thing may be a dirt mound here or there since the land hasn't been maintained in several years. Are the shear bolts a hassle to change?... bad enough to warrant the clutch?

Thanks Folks.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Shear bolts are real easy to change. You will only break them when you turn on your pto. The ubrupt startup will shear the bolt about every time. But, you are a resourceful and really rich guy, so the bolts won't be a problem..

actually, lemme know how it works out, buddy!

 

[SteveH_CT]

Gotcha - So that jingle in my pocket won't be spare change... but extra shear bolts. Mike really... If I was rich I'd be paying someone to do this and I'd be sitting back enjoying my pool... which I hope to have someday as well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[jrdellaratta]

I have the 513, the precursor to the LX5, with the 8.8 shear bolt. I break a bolt on average every 3 hours of cutting or so. Your terrain seems pretty straight-forward, so you shouldn't be coming across any stumps and such that break the bolts too often. I'd suggest engaging the PTO at idle, and then increasing RPMs to ease the cutter in to operation, and raising the deck slightly as you make turns, putting less side-pressure on the bldes and gear box---it seems like (excpet whjen I hit somethaing) that's why most of my bolts break.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

The 4310 has an servoelectronicly actuated pto. It slams on HARD. Most damage with mine was done turning on the pto. That seems to be fairly common talking to other owners...