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.