old 4300 pulling even older brush cutter - better alternative?

[GreenRust]

I have a 4300 HST made in 2000 that I use to mow with an ancient World Argritech/International Machinery/Wallace Auto/who knows LRC5 (60" cut width) rotary mower/brush cutter that I bought used over 20 years ago and it was old then. On flat ground everything works great. I am needing to mow some hills now and I think the mower is just too big for my tractor, 32hp total/25hp PTO. I can barely make it up the hills with the mower let alone actually mow. I did not measure the slope but it is nothing crazy. The tractor and mower have lived a full life so while they have been maintained nothing is perfect anymore. I am thinking a newer smaller mower is the way to go. I would happily give up some cutting width if I could make it up in speed. I am mostly cutting grass and weeds with the occasional rock or stump and would be willing to risk a lighter weight mower that occasionally took some damage if it worked better for me. Do you guys have any ideas? I do not want to replace the tractor but am looking for better mower ideas.
Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Pics would help. I have the Deere 513 rotary cutter and don't find it is too big for my '98 4300, handles with no problem. Trying to picture yours that the 4300 struggles with. My 513 is almost 30 yrs old, pulled it with my JD 420 2-cyl for several years.

 

[Roadworthy]

You should have plenty of tractor for a five foot mower. Rule of thumb is five PTO horsepower for every foot of mower. How does your tractor pull the hill withe the PTO disengaged? Does the mower turn freely or is something binding? Are you getting the full 540 RPM at the PTO? PTO speed is usually engine RPM dependent.

 

[GreenRust]

How does your tractor pull the hill withe the PTO disengaged? Does the mower turn freely or is something binding?

I think you are to something. I need to have someone look while I pull the mower (with the pto disengaged of course) and make sure something isn't catching or binding.
thank you

 

[joecdeere]

What range are you trying to climb and mow in?, sounds like you’ve got it in too high of a choice

 

[GreenRust]

Pics would help. I have the Deere 513 rotary cutter and don't find it is too big for my '98 4300, handles with no problem. Trying to picture yours that the 4300 struggles with. My 513 is almost 30 yrs old, pulled it with my JD 420 2-cyl for several years.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not near it now and I don't have any pictures currently but it looks like a regular brush cutter, not that different that what you have in your picture.

 

[GreenRust]

What range are you trying to climb and mow in?, sounds like you’ve got it in too high of a choice

Thanks for the reply. I'm in A but tried B and C just to make sure.

 

[GreenRust]

I am just going to start over. At this point I'm guessing I've been spoiled on flatish ground and have something somewhere that is binding, sticking or otherwise misbehaving. After I go through the entire 3 point I hope to find something dumb.

 

[zzvyb6]

Maybe 32 h.p. when new, but after use, abuse, cheap engine oil, and the wrong hydraulic fluid, it could now be 1/2 of that power at the pto. Plus dull blades don't get the job done even with twice the power.

 

[GreenRust]

Maybe 32 h.p. when new, but after use, abuse,

very good point

cheap engine oil,

nope

and the wrong hydraulic fluid,

nope

it could now be 1/2 of that power at the pto.

is there any way to measure this with basic tools other than going by feel?

Plus dull blades don't get the job done even with twice the power.

also a good point, blades are fine

 

[zzvyb6]

very good point


nope


nope


is there any way to measure this with basic tools other than going by feel?


also a good point, blades are fine

Blue exhaust smoke, uses engine oil, lazy rpm spin-up, 2wd vs 4wd use. We have a 4400 (36 hp), runs a square baler with a tow behind trailer, 2nd range never a strain. Hills, do consume power as the machine has to lift the equipment stack. Have the injection pump tested.

 

[mikennh]

I have a 72" belly mower that came off a 4300, 15 years ago for sale in New Hampshire, if that might be something you are interested in.

 

[Gord Baker]

I have a 4300 HST made in 2000 that I use to mow with an ancient World Argritech/International Machinery/Wallace Auto/who knows LRC5 (60" cut width) rotary mower/brush cutter that I bought used over 20 years ago and it was old then. On flat ground everything works great. I am needing to mow some hills now and I think the mower is just too big for my tractor, 32hp total/25hp PTO. I can barely make it up the hills with the mower let alone actually mow. I did not measure the slope but it is nothing crazy. The tractor and mower have lived a full life so while they have been maintained nothing is perfect anymore. I am thinking a newer smaller mower is the way to go. I would happily give up some cutting width if I could make it up in speed. I am mostly cutting grass and weeds with the occasional rock or stump and would be willing to risk a lighter weight mower that occasionally took some damage if it worked better for me. Do you guys have any ideas? I do not want to replace the tractor but am looking for better mower ideas.
Thanks

 

[Gord Baker]

If it is that steep that you can barely make it up hill, mow down hill or leave it alone.

 

[texasranger556]

I have a 4300 HST made in 2000 that I use to mow with an ancient World Argritech/International Machinery/Wallace Auto/who knows LRC5 (60" cut width) rotary mower/brush cutter that I bought used over 20 years ago and it was old then. On flat ground everything works great. I am needing to mow some hills now and I think the mower is just too big for my tractor, 32hp total/25hp PTO. I can barely make it up the hills with the mower let alone actually mow. I did not measure the slope but it is nothing crazy. The tractor and mower have lived a full life so while they have been maintained nothing is perfect anymore. I am thinking a newer smaller mower is the way to go. I would happily give up some cutting width if I could make it up in speed. I am mostly cutting grass and weeds with the occasional rock or stump and would be willing to risk a lighter weight mower that occasionally took some damage if it worked better for me. Do you guys have any ideas? I do not want to replace the tractor but am looking for better mower ideas.
Thanks

When you say you can't make it up the hill, do you mean the engine is bogging down? Or do does the engine stay at PTO speed (2600 RPM) but your ground speed slows down? I looked at your old posts and you've had issues with the transmission and at one point mentioned not having a hydraulic oil strainer installed when you purchased it.

If engine RPMs are not falling, it's possible the hydrostatic transmission is passing high pressure oil between the plates and slowing down ground speed. You can fix that without any parts but need to split the tractor to do it. How many hours on your tractor and where are you located?

 

[EdZachary]

I dragged a JD603 behind a JD970 for more than 30 years. Needed a FIL so sold the 970 and bought a Kubota L3901 (HST).
Think I'd be happier with another JD, but the K'BoatToe handles the 603 just fine

 

[GreenRust]

When you say you can't make it up the hill, do you mean the engine is bogging down? Or do does the engine stay at PTO speed (2600 RPM) but your ground speed slows down? I looked at your old posts and you've had issues with the transmission and at one point mentioned not having a hydraulic oil strainer installed when you purchased it.

If engine RPMs are not falling, it's possible the hydrostatic transmission is passing high pressure oil between the plates and slowing down ground speed. You can fix that without any parts but need to split the tractor to do it. How many hours on your tractor and where are you located

Thanks for the reply and time looking. The engine bogs down so I am assuming it is not the transmission. I haven't had enough time since my last post but at this point I am going to take the brush cutter off and start over. I am going to check everything and set up the cutter as if it is the very first time using it with the tractor to eliminate anything dumb.

 

[GreenRust]

If it is that steep that you can barely make it up hill, mow down hill or leave it alone.

That's been my plan so far and if all else fails it will stay the plan.

 

[GreenRust]

I have a 72" belly mower that came off a 4300, 15 years ago for sale in New Hampshire, if that might be something you are interested in.

Thanks for the offer. I do not think I have room next to the one I took off about the same time you did.