Buying Advice Needing some opinions

[Glyphosate]

I'm looking for opinions on buying a new tractor. I'm going to be mowing 400 acres a month and will need a tractor and batwing mower to get the job done. I want a four wheel drive tractor at least 80 pto horse power and a good quality batwing. I'm undecided on cab or open station. It's only gonna be a mowing tractor and used on flat ground. I'm open to any brand tractor and mower. Thanks in advance for helping point my way.

 

[Mark Page]

WOW!! that's some mowing. I think I would go with at least 100 horsepower. I'm a Massey fan but you can't go wrong a with a Deere or Case. I don't think you can buy a tractor that large without a cab, and given the amount of time you'll spend on it you'll probably want air and heat.
I would only consider a Woods mower, probably 15 ft. I've owned 3 Woods mowers and they have never given me any trouble. You'll spend more but IMHO they are worth it.
It would be interesting to know how long it would take to mow 400 acres non-stop and how much fuel it would take. I mow 15 acres and it takes about 3.5 hours.
Hope you get back to us with what you decide on and why.

 

[rambler]

Yea, that's a bit of a job there. The roadside fellas around here typically have 150-200 hp and a 15-20 foot batwing.

I'd imagine at some point the OSHA/ DOT foks would get after you if you didn't have a cab any more these days, they get to regulate everything.

4wd is probably handy just for the front ballast it provides, and getting out of wet spots. Wouldn't need it for flat simple mowing, traction is't a big deal until you get in a tough spot.

Don't know on a specific tractor, good gear selection and a robust pto would be things I'd compare.

--->Paul

 

[jlsmith]

Look at the Massey MF2670HD, its 91HP on the engine and 77 at the pto. This tractor is plenty big enough for that job and you can get it in a open platform or cab. If you want a little bigger go with the MF2680HD, 97HP engine and 83 pto. As far as the batwing goes, there are a lot of good brands out there just look at them close and compare accordingly based on light, medium and heavy duty. If I can help in any way just pm me.
Jeremy

 

[Martian]

Wow, go big or go home. I think you want at least 100HP and you definitely want a cab for all that mowing. I don't think I can recommend one brand as better over another but get what your most comfortable in so a long day doesn't feel as long.

Good luck!

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm looking for opinions on buying a new tractor. I'm going to be mowing 400 acres a month and will need a tractor and batwing mower to get the job done. I want a four wheel drive tractor at least 80 pto horse power and a good quality batwing. I'm undecided on cab or open station. It's only gonna be a mowing tractor and used on flat ground. I'm open to any brand tractor and mower. Thanks in advance for helping point my way.

How frequently will you be mowing the same land? How many total acres to mow annually? Will you be cutting grass or brush and spalings? I ask because it can make a difference in what equipment you need.

 

[TripleR]

If you are mowing 400 acres a month, I would be looking at a 100+HP and commercial grade mower like a Schulte or other top brand.

We have some commercial mowers on here, but I haven't seen them posting lately.

 

[shortthrow50]

400 acres is too much for what you asking for unless you want to be sitting in the seat all month getting fat. you need a setup like this:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5977EoHPk8]The CLAAS Cougar 1400 RC - The World's Largest Mower - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Tomtint]

I have a 36" walk behind with a angry 15 hp kawi that I'm not using, you are welcome to use it. :laughing:

 

[shortthrow50]

I have a 36" walk behind with a angry 15 hp kawi that I'm not using, you are welcome to use it. :laughing:

lmfao

 

[vwnotrunning]

I would have to think of renting a herd of cows or horses!

 

[Glyphosate]

How frequently will you be mowing the same land? How many total acres to mow annually? Will you be cutting grass or brush and spalings? I ask because it can make a difference in what equipment you need.

I'll be cutting once a month and the land has been very well maintained, so there's nothing but grasses there. It is flat as a pancake.Seven cuttings bring a total to 2800 acres a year.
I read on here that under IDEAL conditions a 15 ft bat wing can cut 7 acres an hour. That puts an 8hr day at 56 acres. What do you guys think of that number? I was hoping to get 40 a day.
Give me some feedback folks.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

I would like to suggest that you use a Mahindra 8560 as I am a Mahindra dealer, I know the tractor would handle the job, even at 70 PTO HP, but with more HP you will be able to to move faster up to the point that the mowing quality suffers. By the way if you can find a Bush Hog dealer they have very good pricing on a limited supply of machines. I wouldn't wait long to check into it as supply is very limited.

 

[jenkinsph]

I'll be cutting once a month and the land has been very well maintained, so there's nothing but grasses there. It is flat as a pancake.Seven cuttings bring a total to 2800 acres a year.
I read on here that under IDEAL conditions a 15 ft bat wing can cut 7 acres an hour. That puts an 8hr day at 56 acres. What do you guys think of that number? I was hoping to get 40 a day.
Give me some feedback folks.

How about using a large mower such as the 1017R, 17ft cutting width with rear discharge? Here is a link as an example but there are plenty of other brands to consider too. Would a 5" cutting height work for you?


http://www.deere.com/en_US/docs/non_current/wpmowlit08017pr_rear_side_discharge_gm_fm_lit.pdf





I would think most people would be interested in a hay crop with that much grass or put some cows on it.

 

[rsewill]

I would have to think of renting a herd of cows or horses!

My thoughts exactly.

Go big and then get an easily maintained mower. Good luck.