Rotary Cutter Rotary Cutter Shopping (again)

[BillyP]

Re: Rotary Cutter versus Brush Mower?

I agree with Jerry. The direction change took care of my problem (JD 616 cutter).

 

[tawilson]

Re: Rotary Cutter versus Brush Mower?

The John Deere rotary cutter owners manual tells you to keep the unmowed grass to the right of the tractor because the rotation of the blades will make a better cut. I only mowed for one year before I read it and realized what the problem was.

 

[normde2001]

Re: Rotary Cutter versus Brush Mower?

If I grasp what they are saying, the grass is being thrown into an area that has already been cut. If you reverse direction, the grass is thrown into an area that has yet to be cut, and you are recutting the already cut grass. I think I have noticed that happening, but didn't pay any attention to it.

 

[RoyJackson]

"I feel like the 5 ft would be a better match to the tractor when cutter is in the up position on the 3 point--When mowing, a 6 ft would be fine and when you raised it, the front of the tractor could get a little light"

I'm running a 5' cutter through some pretty thick brush (initial cut after a year of wet weather and no maintenance). That's with a Deere 670 which has 16 HP @ the PTO. Although I'm running in low gear, even going through very thick stuff (tall too), I've experienced minimal bogging down. Haven't stalled the machine yet either.

That 4310 should handle a 6 footer with ease if my little machine can handle a 5" cutter.

When I transport, I just raise the cutter enough to get the front a bit higher, then drive with the tail wheel (of the cutter) on the ground. Now, when I raise the cutter completely off the ground (going down a road for a few hundred feet, for example), I can feel the front end of the tractor getting lighter but no jumping up and down. This is with the FEL installed, driving at a reasonable speed. I'm sure the front of the tractor would bob a lot more without the FEL.

And, of course, another alternative is to get one of the tow behind cutters that hook to the tractor draw bar. It's my understanding one can go to a larger sized cutter with a tow behind unit. Down side is the potential for the rear tires of the tractor to rub against the front of the cutter in tight turning. That's an operator awareness issue.

 

[sweettractors]

Roy--I agree with the basic concept--However--My concern has also to do with leaving the FEL on the tractor while doing work at the rear--Over the years, we see a lot of wore out tie-rod ends, pivot points and in addition wear and tear on the drive mechanisims on tractors with FWA--In most cases, the user left the FEL on all the time and the front end carrrying the extra 700-800 lbs breaks down premature--Just my opinion- -Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *Pickup Truck Accessories*

 

[em14]

Ken,
If the FEL is causing tie rod problems and you all feel they are related to the weight of the FEL is this because of FEL and a rear mounted three point hitch impliment all being in place at the same time (total weight).... or is the FEL just to much weight for the tractor?
Would you not need to add weights and have the same problem or are you saying that he should not use a "heavy" 6 ft mower?
Not picking I just don't understand ...
Thanks
Leo

 

[RoyJackson]

"the user left the FEL on all the time and the front end carrrying the extra 700-800 lbs breaks down premature--Just my opinion"

Hey, we all have opinions!

I leave the FEL during the winter, but I don't use the tractor too much. Since it's parked, the bucket is on the ground.

Summer, it's on when I'm using the cutter or have a definite use for the FEL. However, most warm weather work is mowing (3PH mower) and I never have the loader on. Reckon the loader is mounted on the tractor 25% to 35% of the time.

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> Summer, it's on when I'm using the cutter or have a definite use for the FEL. However, most warm weather work is mowing (3PH mower) and I never have the loader on. Reckon the loader is mounted on the tractor 25% to 35% of the time. </font>

Hi Leo--Roy hit the nail on the head--The loader needs to be on when needed and off when not being used--Your suitcase weights would be a better solution as they are not hyper extended to the front as much as a FEL--I dont like to see customers mowing the yard (sometimes 5 acre old rough pastures) all summer at fast mowing speed, with the FEL installed with no intended use--Just dont make sense to me--That is what Quick Attach is for--IMO ?--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *New and Used Equipment Headquarters*

 

[rockyridgefarm]

OK, you've got me thinking!

So off with the loader, yeah it really IS easy! But now I get to add suitcase weights to my list...

Hey, it's only money. Guess buying weights is better than a new front end....

 

[kemartin3]

Mike,

I don't know your acreage, so it may not make sense for you, but have you considered having someone hay it? My wife and I cut our 30 acres with a 6' hog once, and then made a deal with a neighbor. He hays it twice a year and fertilizes/limes as needed. We get about 300 square bales of top notch Timothy grass (from another property he has) for our horses, and he takes the hay from our property. No time or capital investment on our part, and we have great hay waiting for us in his barn whenever we need some.

Kevin