Mowing rotary mower recommendations?

AUSaxon · Jun 25, 2004

I've had my TZ24DA for two weeks now and I'm looking into renting/borrowing a rotary mower. Does anyone have recommendations/limitations for this tractor that I should think about. I saw one RM that was a 5' light duty model with a HP rating of 15-25. I would think that would work fine. There is also one that I can borrow at 5' but I don't know the specs on it. What kind of trouble can I get into if it is heavier than my TZ can handle? The dealer suggests staying away from 5' models all together. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
AUSaxon, a new tractor guy /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

jimg · Jun 25, 2004

Hi
I have a tc24d and use a 5' finish mower behind it. Im not sure how much smaller the tz is but it *seems* like it shouldnt have a problem w/ the 5' mower. BTW my mower is an LP FDR1660.

I think the only problems I can think of is that the 3pt couldnt lift the mower (seems unlikely though), the engine would have trouble keeping up w/ the load of mowing (also seems unlikely) or a weight distribution problem (which is easily fixed by adding counter weights). Did the dealer give any reason for his comment?

jimg · Jun 25, 2004

Sorry I think youre not interested in a finish mower but rather a brush mower? In that case 5' is the limit for the tc24. I wouldnt go anymore for sure. The light duty models are certainly easier for the 3pt to pick up but then again you could leave it down for transport. You will have to go more slowly so the engine wont bog down. Do you know how much the mower will weight? It might be a factor if youre doing steep hills.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 26, 2004

AUSaxon, I have a TC, not a TZ, but I just traded in a 5' Befco finish mower for a MMM on Father's Day. I know a finish mower is not the same, but let me relate the problems I had.

First off, the tractor will have enough HP to power the 5' mower, regardless of if it is a FM or a rotary cutter. Second, the tractor's 3pt will lift the weight of the cutting deck.

HOWEVER, the weight of the cutting deck is probably heavy enough that you will lift the front wheels of your tractor right off the ground /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Don't ask me how I know that /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I had to put 100# of weight on the front end of my tractor to keep enough pressure on the front wheels to steer the machine. My property & landscaping are designed such that I cannot really mow with the FEL on the tractor. I have not checked the overall weight of the TZ, but I have to believe it is slightly lighter than the larger TC.

I think I would follow your dealer's advice and rent/borrow a 48" unit instead . . . unless you want to do wheelies and/or can mount some weight on the front of your machine. Also, I am making a wild presumption that you are on F_L_A_T ground and are not going to try to mow down 3" diameter saplings when I say you will have enough HP to power the rotary cutter. If you are just cutting down a field, and it is flat, and you can add some front weight, then you might want to borrow that 5' unit to see, but . . .