old 4300 pulling even older brush cutter - better alternative?

[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.