Getting a 990 soon and am getting mixed signals concerning which Rotary Cutter to go with. I'm starting a Tractor Mowing business in south Texas, with not a hill within 50 miles. Getting a Land Pride Grooming Mower for well kept pastures and need a Rotary to use on more overgrown stuff, although I probably won't touch anything with over 1 inch diameter growth. Some dealers I am working with are stating that an MX6 would be too much for the 990. I prefer to go with the MX vs the LX line for durability reasons. Would like to use a 6 footer if I can so I am as wide as the tractor. Thoughts? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
MX6 with 990
- Thread starter ponderosa
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The MX6 works fine with the 990. It has the power to run it, the only issue would be stability. Keep the loader on when you cut and stay off the hills (at least with it raised up) and you should be fine. It is a nice cutter.
Then you would need a lot of front ballast. Probably more than you can get by getting the (6?) iron weighs that fit on the front. The MX6 weighs about 1100 lbs with chains and that weight is pretty far back.
I'm sure you could add another bracket or a ballast box or something to the front if you can do some fabrication.
I'm sure you could add another bracket or a ballast box or something to the front if you can do some fabrication.
RobS
Super Member
<font color="blue">Then you would need a lot of front ballast. Probably more than you can get by getting the (6?) iron weighs that fit on the front. The MX6 weighs about 1100 lbs with chains and that weight is pretty far back.
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Deere's site lists the LX5/6 or MX5 for the 990. It's got the hp for the six footer but as zuiko mentioned the weight may be an issue for the MX6 cutter /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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Deere's site lists the LX5/6 or MX5 for the 990. It's got the hp for the six footer but as zuiko mentioned the weight may be an issue for the MX6 cutter /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
timb
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If it's a balance question - check the owner's manuals under "Using Implement Codes" for the implement code chart. (I looked but the 990 manual is not available to view on line).
The MX6 is rated by Deere as an "Implement Code 82". That number already takes into account both weight and balance of the implement.
The implement code chart in the tractor manual then tells you what amount of front weight is recommended to correctly balance the tractor with that implement. It's easy to see that a little tractor weight and/or wheelbase goes a long way.
Examples - based on the owner's manuals charts (and assuming MFWD tractors without liquid ballast in the front tires) -- to balance an MX6 takes
4510-4710 = TEN 70 lb. 'Quik-Tatch' weights = 700 lbs (out of a maximum of 840 lbs possible.)
5105 = TWO 99 lb 'Quik-Tatch' weights (plus 109 lb starter weight) = 307 lbs.
5220 = no extra weight needed = 0 lbs.
Again - an MX6 has a code of "82". An MX5 is just "59" - but an LX6 is even lower - "55".
Since a 990 is both lighter and shorter than a 4510-4710 I suspect that an 82 is probably right at or even beyond it's maximum implement rating. That said, a lot of people run rotaries without any front ballast ("yeah, the front does get a little light...") and they are even being used with 4310's.
The MX6 is rated by Deere as an "Implement Code 82". That number already takes into account both weight and balance of the implement.
The implement code chart in the tractor manual then tells you what amount of front weight is recommended to correctly balance the tractor with that implement. It's easy to see that a little tractor weight and/or wheelbase goes a long way.
Examples - based on the owner's manuals charts (and assuming MFWD tractors without liquid ballast in the front tires) -- to balance an MX6 takes
4510-4710 = TEN 70 lb. 'Quik-Tatch' weights = 700 lbs (out of a maximum of 840 lbs possible.)
5105 = TWO 99 lb 'Quik-Tatch' weights (plus 109 lb starter weight) = 307 lbs.
5220 = no extra weight needed = 0 lbs.
Again - an MX6 has a code of "82". An MX5 is just "59" - but an LX6 is even lower - "55".
Since a 990 is both lighter and shorter than a 4510-4710 I suspect that an 82 is probably right at or even beyond it's maximum implement rating. That said, a lot of people run rotaries without any front ballast ("yeah, the front does get a little light...") and they are even being used with 4310's.
Dutch445
Elite Member
Deere offers a front weight bar extension, allowing for a total of 9 weights I believe. That should be enough on level ground.
Joe1
Platinum Member
You will want the front weights. Even though there are no hills, you will still go on an off a trailer, and will encounter ditches, etc to traverse. The weights will prevent a hobby horse effect when travelling with the cutter in the air for transporting.
RobS
Super Member
Hey Tim, neat info on the weights etc. Where did you get it? I don't recall seeing a chart listing implement codes in my 790 manual /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
timb
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The charts are in the 4510-4710 owner's manual that I have, and I looked up the 5x05 and 5x20 charts on on-line copies of the respective owner's manuals on the Deere site. That's also where I got the MX and LX numbers. I wonder if they don't bother in the smaller tractor manuals. If so, that would be a shame - it seems it would be even more critical there with no extra mass to spare.
I don't know how conservative those numbers are - I certainly do not plan to use all ten weights on my 4710 for the MX6, since more than six requires the extension bracket which interferes with the loader. Not that you'd use weights with the loader, just don't feel like taking the extension bracket off all the time.
I don't know how conservative those numbers are - I certainly do not plan to use all ten weights on my 4710 for the MX6, since more than six requires the extension bracket which interferes with the loader. Not that you'd use weights with the loader, just don't feel like taking the extension bracket off all the time.