New M7060HD12...Which cutter?

[Cavjock22]

I am pulling a deere 709 shredder with my M6060.. Never cared for 3pt cutters.. I like towables..
The Deere 709 is built very tough.. If I can run it over, the 709 doesn稚 hesitate..
I知 actually considering very hard switching to a 12 batwing.. I maintain ranch roads and about 140 acres of open pasture..

 

[SDT]

I am pulling a deere 709 shredder with my M6060.. Never cared for 3pt cutters.. I like towables..
The Deere 709 is built very tough.. If I can run it over, the 709 doesn稚 hesitate..
I知 actually considering very hard switching to a 12 batwing.. I maintain ranch roads and about 140 acres of open pasture..

Be advised that all of the 12' BW cutters currently on the market are quite light duty in order to keep the weight down. All that I am aware of have 1 1/2" cut capacity.

Land pride has just released the 3712, a heavier model with a 3" cut capacity. There are a few at dealers but I have not yet seen one.

SDT

 

[art]

What is the worst part is the only time you will get the 3-4" stock is if you let it go!! Sounds like you are going to mow it every year and you will never see them again!!! Buy something that will take 2" and go cautiously the first time and don't worry about it!

 

[inode]

Thanks for all of the input. Some have asked for more information about the type of land and where. The land is between Nashville and Knoxville, TN and is fairly hilly terrain on the front of it (20 acres is ~30-40% grade). The other 40-50 acres is flat cow pasture and ranges from decent grassland to a rough area that the original owner cleared at one time and let go for several years. The area with the 3+ growth probably equates to 8-10 acres. The remaining 20 acres is woodland with trails cut through it that need to be maintained for trail/ATV access. The goal is for me to get this in shape where I can mow it a couple times a years and for it to become better grassland. I forgot to mention that with this eastern eastern TN, there is a fair amount of rock here and there. I just purchased this place earlier this year and I'm still getting to know the land and its features.

With that said, can I mow at higher heights with a pull-behind like I can with a 3-pt? I'm leaning towards a 8' pull-behind for the simple fact that it would induce less strain on the tractor (my opinion). I'm really eyeing the Tennessee River Implements as I like the thickness of their decks and rated gearboxes. I've also been looking at buying used (and expendable) until I figure out the land, rocks etc. and then buying nice later.

 

[JWR]

Tks inode -- we have a much better idea now of what you are dealing with. In a "new to you" place with probable rocks, debris (and maybe even sink holes!?) I like the idea you mentioned of picking up a used but still functional bush hog to beat up while you find out how bad the rocks are, where the obstructions are, etc. With a year or so of experience with the place you can then buy a newer/better cutter with confidence. Makes great sense to me. Might consider a 6ft hog for the temporary solution as they are MUCH easier to find used than a 7ft or larger. During that first year you'll find out in the school of hard knocks whether you really need a bigger/wider cut, what features matter to you and which ones don't, etc.

About 3pt vs pull-behind: Full disclosure -- I do not like pull behinds and find them very cumbersome in tight places, getting over/around larger obstacles, etc. It is about analgous to driving your pick up with a trailer hitched to it everywhere you go. Many pull behinds have hydraulic cylinders that allow you to raise and lower the wheels in the back of the cutter primarily for transport. You COULD use the hydraulic raise/lower feature to raise the hog and clear rocks, small stumps, etc. For my 2 cents the pull behind is a constant nuisance.The only justification I have ever seen for a pull behind is when the cutter is too big to lift using the 3 pt (such as bat wing mowers, ones more than 8ft wide, etc.) About size, 3pt hitch 7 ft hogs are maybe only 5% of the market or less compared to 6ft. while 8ft 3pt hogs are rare.

True, the pull behind puts less strain on the tractor as you said, but the tractor is made to do exactly that kind of work and support those loads. A 3pt 6ft hog would be a light load and very easily handled on your M7060. I think you can handle a 3pt 7ft hog. The Tenn River 7ft Medium Duty only weighs 910lbs by their literature. I use the 7ft Bush Hog brand medium duty (which weighs 1460lbs.) on my MF2660 . I feel sure you can handle a 910 lb 7ft hog on your 7060. Not an overload.

Cleaning up and improving an old farm is quite a project. Good luck with it !