Min PTO HP for 7.5' finish mower

[joecooler]

Thanks...my Sitrex is pretty heavy, at almost 700lbs, so I was factoring that in as well. Looks like your numbers are working out pretty much the way I was thinking...ballpark of 30hp at the PTO.

This is a 96" LMC (Sovema EMH-2) on my restored JD 300. 43 gas Hp. The mower is way heavy and over 800lbs. Its really a near perfect match. I end up running a little hot on the PTO to get a nicer cut, but the power is just right, even enough for thick 2 foot grass (going slowly). I would go no less than 35 HP for the tractor to ensure you have adequate surge power.

 

[GManBart]

View attachment 329479View attachment 329480

This is a 96" LMC (Sovema EMH-2) on my restored JD 300. 43 gas Hp. The mower is way heavy and over 800lbs. Its really a near perfect match. I end up running a little hot on the PTO to get a nicer cut, but the power is just right, even enough for thick 2 foot grass (going slowly). I would go no less than 35 HP for the tractor to ensure you have adequate surge power.

Nice mowing rig!

 

[mikehaugen]

I have a woods rm90 that I ran with my jd1070 (38hp, 35pto). It did just fine. That is a heavier mower too, around 900# I think. If you are just cutting regular grass, not too long, I would say less could do it. 30 hp would probably be okay, but you need to be religious about not letting it get too long.

My mower is actually pretty heavy duty and I used it cutting some 4'-5' grass as well as some other 'hogging chores before I bought a woods rotary cutter. Had to go slow, but it did it.

 

[Halftrack]

I run a Sitrex 230 behind my TC 33D and haven't worked the engine hard yet. In wet heavy grass I think the mower protests louder than the tractor. I bought the mower used and have been very impressed with the quality of cut.

 

[jenkinsph]

joecooler, thats a very nice looking 300, good job on the restoration.

 

[Turbys_1700]

View attachment 329479View attachment 329480

This is a 96" LMC (Sovema EMH-2) on my restored JD 300. 43 gas Hp. The mower is way heavy and over 800lbs. Its really a near perfect match. I end up running a little hot on the PTO to get a nicer cut, but the power is just right, even enough for thick 2 foot grass (going slowly). I would go no less than 35 HP for the tractor to ensure you have adequate surge power.

Nice tractor there Joe...
Did you do the restore or buy it that way???
Good looking rig...

 

[Deerherd]

If there was a "Tractor of the Month" here on TBN, I would nominate Joe's Ford. SWEET!

 

[LD1]

Im a little late, but what did you decide.

I see you list a 8n, I would think it would work fine on it. Might have to slow down a tad, but do-able.

30hp seems about the right ballpark.

HP just allows you to cut faster/not bog down.

Heck, remember a few years ago before all this ZTR craze. It wasnt uncommon for a 12HP or 14HP riding tractor to be paired with a 48" deck.

By those numbers. you could run a 10' on 30hp with the same efficiency. Remember when mowing, HP = Speed. So your big tractor may allow you to mow a gear or two higher than a 25-30HP machine, but the smaller rig will still do it just fine.

 

[GManBart]

Im a little late, but what did you decide.

I see you list a 8n, I would think it would work fine on it. Might have to slow down a tad, but do-able.

30hp seems about the right ballpark.

HP just allows you to cut faster/not bog down.

Heck, remember a few years ago before all this ZTR craze. It wasnt uncommon for a 12HP or 14HP riding tractor to be paired with a 48" deck.

By those numbers. you could run a 10' on 30hp with the same efficiency. Remember when mowing, HP = Speed. So your big tractor may allow you to mow a gear or two higher than a 25-30HP machine, but the smaller rig will still do it just fine.

Still haven't decided! The 8N is out...it struggles with the weight of a lighter brush hog, and the lack of a live PTO just slows me down too much. I've narrowed it down to looking for 30hp at the PTO, diesel, and live or independent PTO. Power steering would be a plus, and HST a major plus.

I looked at a MF 231 that's in really nice shape, and liked everything about it except for trying to get on or off...and I'm pretty nimble. I thought i was going to make an offer on a very clean Ford 961, but when we were supposed to meet, the seller couldn't get it started, and found the oil pan full of diesel. I've seen it once prior, but it had a dead battery, hence the planned second visit that didn't pan out. They still want to sell it (likely very cheap), but I'm pretty deep in projects right now. So, I'm still looking, and trying o come up with a smart plan. Last night I saw a sweet MF on Ebay that I may try to look at later this week...mich roomier station, and more power, for the same general size and weight. Decisions, decisions....

 

[joecooler]

If there was a "Tractor of the Month" here on TBN, I would nominate Joe's Ford. SWEET!

Thanks! We Love our John Deere 300 Industrial!!!