Rotary Cutter rotary cutter on JD4310

[marcus402]

Looking for advice on how large a rotary cutter I should buy, 5ft or 6ft medium duty. I have a JD4310 32hp. I have approximately 8 acres of flat horse pasture that is in good shape. I plan to mow the pastures 4-5 times annually.

I made my first cut in late april with a BORROWED 4 foot rotary mower. The grass was already hood high and the 4310 never bogged down. With the 4 footer I could not get as close to the fence line as I would like.

I'd like to get a 6 footer for the increased width and effieceny but don't want to stress the 4310. Any advice from 4310 or similar owners.

Mark

 

[RoyJackson]

Looking for advice on how large a rotary cutter I should buy, 5ft or 6ft medium duty. I have a JD4310 32hp. I have approximately 8 acres of flat horse pasture that is in good shape. I plan to mow the pastures 4-5 times annually.
I'd like to get a 6 footer for the increased width and effieceny but don't want to stress the 4310. Any advice from 4310 or similar owners.

Mark

If I recall correctly, the 4310 has 28 HP at the PTO.
Since your property is flat, I'd go for the 6 foot cutter. You may have to run in a low or intermediate gear (no high range operation) or an occasional partial width pass.
I run a 5 foot cutter with 24 PTO HP with no problems (in a lower gear), so take that under advisement.

 

[dbdartman]

From the "for what it's worth" file: I have an old 4400 (1800+ hard hours) & a 5' cutter (LX5). Cut around 5-6 flat acres, 5-6 times a year. The field can get pretty thick & in some spots it will labor the old 36HP Yanmar. Sometimes I wish I had a 6' cutter, thinking the job could get done a little faster, & sometimes when the tractor is laboring along I'm happy it's only a 5' piece...

Just did the first cut of the season last week & the whole job took about 5 hours.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I have a MF 1433, (33hp, 27hp PTO)
geared
It pulls a 5' without ever missing a beat
We got a 6' for it and it works, but when it's real tall and thick in spots, it can be giving the tractor all it's got. (or, I could gear down, but then it would take longer, so that's a bad idea. )

As long as you don't let it get crazy long, it will handle the 6', but it's definately marginal.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

If you have the ehydro, you have 25 PTO Hp.

I have a 4310, and can easily bog down mine with an LX-5 cutter. With loadmatch turned on, it will slow to a crawl in thick grass and weeds. Especially if you have any bahia grass. I would not buy a 6 foot shredder.


If the fields are kept really nice, it will pull a 6' finish mower (RFM).

 

[marcus402]

Thanks for the input fellas,

I've decided to go with the 5 footer since I would probably have to go slower with the 6 footer and not save any time. The 5 footer will also allow me to get into tighter areas. I need to get one soon, my pastures are already due for a second cut!!

Mark