Opinions on Mower and Disc for 28hp

[JLV]

Hi guys, I'm new here and new to tractors in general. I'm sure this has been covered before but here goes.
I recently bought a 1980 IH 284 gas, I believe its 26 pto hp. I have around 10 acres of tree plantings to mow and will be mowing a new CP25 CRP planting this spring (14.5 acres) that will be mostly weeds and foxtail the first year or two and cornstalks this spring. I also want to use the 284 for some foodplots, around 1.5 acres.
The tractor weighs 2050# total, 754# front and 1296# rear. I have no loader or front end weights, but I think I can add 150# or so of front wieght pretty easily. Also, I am stuck with turf tires, if that makes much difference (will also be using it with a MMM for the yard).

I am looking at a 60" KK rotary cutter for the mowing as it will allow me to get close to the seedlings and cover wheel tracks. Its weight is listed at 525#.
I am also looking at a KK disc harrow for the foodplots in a field that is currently farmed, clay loam soil. I can get a 5.5' angle iron disc that weighs 460#, but would really prefer the 5.5' adjustable box frame disc, but it weighs 720# which seems pretty heavy for this tractor.

Any opinions are appreciated. I am mostly concerned about the weight of the implements with no loader or front end wieght.
Thanks.....Joel

 

[john_bud]

joel,

On the whole your thinking is on the right track. You should be able to use the implements listed, but...you need to get some more weight on the wheels!

First thing to do is see if you have filled rear tires or not. If not, fill them. There are several choices available, search the forum and see your local ag tire dealer. Oh, as you have no front loader, you may want to fill the front tires too. Won't get as much weight, but it's where you need it.

Next, either hit the auctions and buy some iron weights for the front, or else make one out of concrete. If you are making one, make an iron frame that will hook onto the front weight bar. Put some rebar around, box it with wood and fill with concrete. A loop on the top or on 2-3 sides is nice for picking it with an engine hoist or chain fall. You're only limited by your imagination.

Your tires are going to limit the pulling power the most and for the disc you will need pulling power. Have you thought about getting a KK rotary tiller instead? The 60" is nice and you have the power for it. It takes much less pulling power to use so it is more suited to your tractor. Just a thought...

jb

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Even though you are gonna use the 284 for mowing, get rid of the turfs and get a set of rear R1s. I'm assuming you have 24 in rears. Everything from a Farmall Cub to Kubotas have a model with 24 inch rear tires. You should be able to switch out and use the rims you have, but you may have to get 12.4 by 24s (I would sugget 11.2 X 24 if you can get away with it. Bobg in VA

 

[JLV]

John- How much weight would you suggest adding to the front end? I considered adding fluid to the fronts. Like you said it wont add much weight but it would help I suppose. The rears are not filled. I can see where filling them would aid in traction, are there other benefits to that? It doesnt seem that filling the rears would help offset implement weight, but maybe I am wrong?
Bob- The turf tires are 13.6x16 so switching tires would likely require me to buy new wheels as well, and I am not anxious to do that due to cost.

I have thought about a tiller instead of a disc. They are alot more money but do a nice job. I wasnt sure if my 284, with only 4 gears hi/lo, would run slow enough for a tiller. 1st gear in low is .97mph according to the manual. I didnt think the 284 would handle a 60" either. That would speed things up over a 48" though.
Thanks for the ideas so far.