Sizing a finish mower to my L3940

[Tractor2011]

I own a L3940 and planning on purchasing a Phoenix Finish Mower soon, either a M60-S (60") or M72-S (72") model. I'm leaning toward the larger (72") mower, which is rated for tractors between 30 & 50 hp, but I'm concerned that with only 31.5 hp at the L3940's PTO, I may be pushing my luck. (Mowing 5-7 acres.) Is anyone running a similar setup and if so, can you shed some light on my concern; good or bad? Thanks in advance.

 

[07 LMM LTZ]

I have the 72" mid mount on my 3940 and it handles it fine I wouldn't be afraid to even go bigger

 

[DK35vince]

The 3940 would handle the 84", with ease.
I run an 84" First Choice rear discharge finish mower on my 34 HP, 28.3 PTO HP, no problem.

 

[whistlepig]

I have using a 72" RFM on my tractor with 30 engine HP and 22 PTO HP for 5 years now with no problems. I mow about 7 acres each week with it.

 

[94BULLITT]

That tractor will handle a 6' with ease. People pull a 6' with a 8N ford.

 

[mmorisoli]

I too have an l3940 with a 6 foot brush hog finish mower that works perfectly. If I didn't have some areas of undulating grass I would try the 84 inch.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have the Woods RD7200 (6' rear discharge). As 94Bullit mentioned, I ran this on my Ford 8N for years, could bog the engine down in 3rd gear if I did not mow often enough (3 weeks between mowings), would have to step down to 2nd gear to take care of business. I have used this same mower on my L3940 since 2009. The L3940 has excess power for this mower, even if I only mow one every 3 weeks. You WANT the 6' because it is wider than your tires. Philip.

 

[TripleR]

We use an 84" on a Ford NAA with 31 PTO HP and have done so for years.

 

[gkm]

72" is about perfect, provided you don't have long, steep hills. I run a 72", but have long steep hills and w/ AC on, my tractor's working hard. My hp and pto hp is similar to yours.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I had a L3240HST and it pulled a 6' Landpride fine until I neared the crest of the steepest hill and then it, the tractor, was slowing down. The Landpride is a heavy tank quality mower. When I'd slow down I was thinking I needed an L3940 instead of the L3240. On flat or hilly, not steep, the L did great like it wasn't even behind it. You should have no problems with a 6'er on your L.
One tip. I first bought a light weight $1200 6' RFM that kept breaking because I don't have lawn, I have a field converted to a yard by mowing it like it's a yard. Barlows gave me my $1200 back toward a $1700 Landpride. If your going to use it for long and often, get a good one. Woods, Landpride are good and I don't know about any other ones but check the weight against a Woods or Landpride and if it weighs less you may want to reconsider. My Lanadpride never broke.

 

[PHILIP8N]

L3940 has a larger engine and more pto horsepower than CT335. Philip.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I bought my Woods RD7200 new back in 1999. Used it on 8N for 10 seasons, on L3940 for 5 seasons. Grease it every spring, and replaced blades once, that is it. I also have a field converted to a 'grassy area'. It has been a good unit. Landpride also makes one of the best. Philip.

 

[rbargeron]

Just to chime in, I have two Woods RM990's which I run on tractors with 28, 34, 37, and 49 pto hp. The RM990 is a commercial-quality rugged unit with swing-back blades - well-suited to former orchard (rock farm) converted to uniform grassland. Even the smallest tractor handles the RM990's ok, though if the crop is extra dense or wet it needs to go slower for a full-width cut.

 

[stub]

I pull a 7 foot Woods PRD8400 with my 3940. I usually run mine about 450 rpm in medium rabbit. More than enough power even at that rpm.

 

[medicshawn]

I have since sold my 3940, but I used to run a Land Pride 7 foot. It was a nice mower and the tractor handled it fine.

You might also want to measure the width of your rear tires. That 6 foot is barely going to cover your tires.