LX6 vs. MX6

jrdellaratta · May 26, 2006

I ultimately chose the LX6 over the MX6, trading in my 513 with shear bolt for a bigger unit with slip clutch. I was concerned about my 990 having enough power to handle the MX. Since it's only fields I'm dealing with, I figure I'll be OK.

But I was also very surprised to see when the LX6 was delivered there were no rear (nor front) chains. I bought sets and installed them myself the next week, but I was a little disappointed that they were considered an option.

rockyridgefarm · May 26, 2006

Just for fun, here is the configurator info:

LX6 Lift-Type Rotary Cutter Standard features
Light Duty Design
Cutting Width: 72 In. (1.83m)
Deck and Skirt Thickness: 9/64 In. (3.5mm)
Body Depth: 7-1/2 In. (190mm)
Weld on Full Length Wear Shoes - Replaceable
One Gearcase, Power Rating: 40 Continuous HP (30 kW) 60 Peak HP (45 kW)
Blade Tip Speed: 14960 ft./min (76.1 m/s)
Driveline: Standard Driveline (Cat. 3) - 540 RPM PTO
Driveline Protection: Slip Clutch
Hitch: Integral Hitch (Cat. I, Convertible to II, 3-Point Hitch Cat. I Quick Coupler)
Convertible to iMatch Quick Coupler
Pan Type Blade Holder - Stump Jumper (Factory Installed)
Suction Blades (1/2 In. to 3 In.)
One Wheel Support (Swiveling, Height Adjustable)
16 In. Solid Rubber Tire
Front Safety Shield - Chain
Rear Safety Shield - Chain
Recommended Tractor PTO HP: 18 - 75 HP (13.4 - 56 kW)

In the configurator:
Use Front Safety Shields in areas where thrown objects could be hazardous.

Description Code Price
Front Safety Shield - Chain 1600 In Base Price

Front Safety Shield - Rubber with Foot Guard 1610 ($92.00)

Foot Guards (Less Front Safety Shield) 1620 ($148.00)

So the Base Price includes the chains, and they can be deleted.... The same is for the rear chains, and there isn't the same options on the slip clutch, so they don't get deleted.

MX6 Lift-Type Rotary Cutter - 540 RPM PTO
Smooth, Easy Clean, Top Deck
Deck Thickness:
Upper Deck - 9/64" (3.5 mm)
Lower Deck - 9/64" (3.5 mm)
Total - 9/32" (7.0mm)
One Gearcase, Power Rating: 90 HP (68 kW)
Two In. Brush Cutting Capacity
Slip Clutch Protection
Unibody Frame:
8.5 In. (216mm) Body Depth
1/4 In. (6.0mm) Skirt Thickness
Cutting Width: 72 In. (1.83m)
Transport Width: 75 In. (1.91m)
Cutting Height: 1 to 9.5 In. (25 - 241mm)
Blade Tip Speed: 17040 ft/min (86.6 m/s)
Hitch: Integral Hitch (Cat. I Convertible to II, 3-Point Hitch with or without Quick Coupler)
Weld on Full Length Wear Shoes - Replaceable
Driveline:Standard Driveline (Cat. 3) - 540 RPM PTO
Round Pan Bladeholder (Stump Jumper)
Suction Blades (1/2 In. x 4 In.)
One Wheel Support (Swiveling, Height Adjustable)
One Puncture Proof Laminated Tire
Front Safety Shield - Chain
Rear Safety Shield - Chain
Minimum Recommended Tractor PTO HP: 30 HP; 4500 or equivalent

My take is that dealers are having a hard time convincing folks of the value of these cutters over cheaper options, so they delete items that many folks don't want anyway.

But they are fantastic machines, they outcut many other cutters.

rockyridgefarm · May 26, 2006

Just for fun, here is the configurator info:

LX6 Lift-Type Rotary Cutter Standard features
Light Duty Design
Cutting Width: 72 In. (1.83m)
Deck and Skirt Thickness: 9/64 In. (3.5mm)
Body Depth: 7-1/2 In. (190mm)
Weld on Full Length Wear Shoes - Replaceable
One Gearcase, Power Rating: 40 Continuous HP (30 kW) 60 Peak HP (45 kW)
Blade Tip Speed: 14960 ft./min (76.1 m/s)
Driveline: Standard Driveline (Cat. 3) - 540 RPM PTO
Driveline Protection: Slip Clutch
Hitch: Integral Hitch (Cat. I, Convertible to II, 3-Point Hitch Cat. I Quick Coupler)
Convertible to iMatch Quick Coupler
Pan Type Blade Holder - Stump Jumper (Factory Installed)
Suction Blades (1/2 In. to 3 In.)
One Wheel Support (Swiveling, Height Adjustable)
16 In. Solid Rubber Tire
Front Safety Shield - Chain
Rear Safety Shield - Chain
Recommended Tractor PTO HP: 18 - 75 HP (13.4 - 56 kW)

In the configurator:
Use Front Safety Shields in areas where thrown objects could be hazardous.

Description Code Price
Front Safety Shield - Chain 1600 In Base Price

Front Safety Shield - Rubber with Foot Guard 1610 ($92.00)

Foot Guards (Less Front Safety Shield) 1620 ($148.00)

So the Base Price includes the chains, and they can be deleted.... The same is for the rear chains, and there isn't the same options on the slip clutch, so they don't get deleted.

MX6 Lift-Type Rotary Cutter - 540 RPM PTO
Smooth, Easy Clean, Top Deck
Deck Thickness:
Upper Deck - 9/64" (3.5 mm)
Lower Deck - 9/64" (3.5 mm)
Total - 9/32" (7.0mm)
One Gearcase, Power Rating: 90 HP (68 kW)
Two In. Brush Cutting Capacity
Slip Clutch Protection
Unibody Frame:
8.5 In. (216mm) Body Depth
1/4 In. (6.0mm) Skirt Thickness
Cutting Width: 72 In. (1.83m)
Transport Width: 75 In. (1.91m)
Cutting Height: 1 to 9.5 In. (25 - 241mm)
Blade Tip Speed: 17040 ft/min (86.6 m/s)
Hitch: Integral Hitch (Cat. I Convertible to II, 3-Point Hitch with or without Quick Coupler)
Weld on Full Length Wear Shoes - Replaceable
Driveline:Standard Driveline (Cat. 3) - 540 RPM PTO
Round Pan Bladeholder (Stump Jumper)
Suction Blades (1/2 In. x 4 In.)
One Wheel Support (Swiveling, Height Adjustable)
One Puncture Proof Laminated Tire
Front Safety Shield - Chain
Rear Safety Shield - Chain
Minimum Recommended Tractor PTO HP: 30 HP; 4500 or equivalent

My take is that dealers are having a hard time convincing folks of the value of these cutters over cheaper options, so they delete items that many folks don't want anyway.

But they are fantastic machines, they outcut many other cutters.

jeepinator · May 26, 2006

( I just shopped for an MX5 and the dealer with the best price had one in stock... I asked about the chain guards and he said it didn't have them (and added that most people don't want them). )Hmm... deja vu.
I thought my MX5 was going to arrive with them since they are standard... but it didn't. When I inquired why, I got all that gibberish above. So I bought the guards from somewhere else and just installed them today. $300 something for the full set.

jeepinator · May 26, 2006

( I just shopped for an MX5 and the dealer with the best price had one in stock... I asked about the chain guards and he said it didn't have them (and added that most people don't want them). )Hmm... deja vu.
I thought my MX5 was going to arrive with them since they are standard... but it didn't. When I inquired why, I got all that gibberish above. So I bought the guards from somewhere else and just installed them today. $300 something for the full set.

rmonio · May 27, 2006

Here's something that I've been thinking about - but haven't asked. How do the blades work on the MX6 and how do you sharpen them/maintain them?

-Bob

rmonio · May 27, 2006

Here's something that I've been thinking about - but haven't asked. How do the blades work on the MX6 and how do you sharpen them/maintain them?

-Bob

rockyridgefarm · May 27, 2006

The blades swing on the pan (stump jumper)

The best way to sharpen them is to take them to a shop and have them annealed (no material is removed.)

In real life they get carressed with a 4 1/2" grinder with the cutter up on blocks. It os a lot easier than taking the blades off.

Replacement blades aren't too bad at our local AG supply.

rockyridgefarm · May 27, 2006

The blades swing on the pan (stump jumper)

The best way to sharpen them is to take them to a shop and have them annealed (no material is removed.)

In real life they get carressed with a 4 1/2" grinder with the cutter up on blocks. It os a lot easier than taking the blades off.

Replacement blades aren't too bad at our local AG supply.

browns40 · May 27, 2006

Hi Bob,

The blades work the same as most any cutter I've seen: heavy steel object swinging on a pivot point (bolt)... irresistable force meets shreddable object.

Only difference is MX's (& woods brushbulls) tend to have a higher blade tip speed at PTO speed than many others, resulting in somewhat better cut & higher real-world cutting capacity.

Also Deere uses lift type blades that have a trailing edge that angles up (like aileron when plane climbs) to produce lift for lighter objects & grasses/brush to be drawn up into the cutter.

For blade maintenance, make sure bolts are torqued down to the point it feels your elbow might explode, then go a little tighter ( if you have impact wrench 450 ft lbs I think)

Be sure blades swing freely from the stump jumper.

Edge is ground with bench or angle (my preference) grinder once it gets too beat up (NOT intended to be sharp edge--look at them while they're new... thats the design)

They are not high maintenance machines--good gear oil/level, grease shaft & tail wheel regular, check blade & gearbox torque, & the above for blades.

Very important: make sure that slip clutch slips when necessary--they do bind up if left idle... search here will give some tricks.