Rethinking rotary cutter sizing

[oosik]

I don't think I'd go beyond 12' with a 30 PTO hp tractor. With a 15' you could be going VERY slow or taking half cuts. Money wasted on a larger unit.

 

[K5lwq]

I don't think I'd go beyond 12' with a 30 PTO hp tractor. With a 15' you could be going VERY slow or taking half cuts. Money wasted on a larger unit.

The OP has 63 PTO hp.

 

[oosik]

Ah - my mistake. 63 PTO hp should handle a 12 foot cutter.

 

[bdog]

Ah - my mistake. 63 PTO hp should handle a 12 foot cutter.

I know it will. I am considering a 15 foot cutter.

 

[Lnk]

I know it will. I am considering a 15 foot cutter.

You can always cut 12' with a 15' foot cutter. But you can't take a 15' cut with a 12' cutter. I would go with the 15'. Usually not 25% more coin.

 

[Hay Dude]

You could go with the 15' and in thicker stuff, if the tractor does not like it, take smaller bites. That way you could mow at the same speed and when conditions allow, take the full 15'.

And that’s what he will be doing if the OP is in thick stuff. I tried a 15’ on a 62 PTO hp tractor and if was moderate+ in thickness, or pulling uphill, it didnt want it.
To power a 15’ batwing full swath, through medium density grasses or more, I’d want 80 minimum and would prefer 100.
OPs grasses could be more sparse or frequently cut would change my calculus.

 

[bdog]

Well I am going to get to find out which works best. I bought both today. I was on the search for a 15’ and couldn’t find one and I bought a 12’ land pride. Right after I made the deal my buddy called with a Deere HX15 in like new condition so I got it too. I won’t be keeping both. I think I bought both of them right and will run them and see which works best and sell other.

 

[Hay Dude]

15’ cutter would also be a lot of shock load on the PTO on start up or if it hits an immovable object. I have the HX 15’s bigger brother, the CX-15. Heck of a cutter and heavy built.

 

[Vaquero]

Well I am going to get to find out which works best. I bought both today. I was on the search for a 15’ and couldn’t find one and I bought a 12’ land pride. Right after I made the deal my buddy called with a Deere HX15 in like new condition so I got it too. I won’t be keeping both. I think I bought both of them right and will run them and see which works best and sell other.

Dang

 

[Drstrangeglove]

i have a 46 hp and it won't start a 10 foot bat wing. It will barely start an 8 foot bush hog. My 105 hp m5 will turn it with the blades tilling ground. When I start the m5 with the loader off, pulling my 1810 (10ft ) the front tries come off the ground. It weighs almost 2000lb.