TC30 w/ 84" RFM

[HuskerInVA]

TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

Has anyone attempted to run an 84" RFM on a TC30? I saw on other posts that 3-5 PTO HP / 12" of cutting width is required. At the 3hp end -- 84" would be fine. At the 5hp end -- 84" would be too big.

 

[thcri]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

I was looking to get one for my TC29D. I was told if your just mowing around 2" or so it would work. I was told you can go larger with a RFM. Now I don't know where I heard it but just my memory which is one of the best around but very short.


murph

 

[_RaT_]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

I think it all depends on conditions. Tall, thick and wet, it will take forever. Dry, couple inches to knock off, piece of cake.

 

[hazmat]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

As a point of reference, I run a 60"MMM on my TC18 - 14.5 PTO HP. It won't climb a hill in high range with the MMM running, but will in low...

If your land is flat & you mow regularly, you should be OK.

 

[HuskerInVA]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

Our new property is mostly flat with gentle slopes. It's all grass and has been regularly bushhogged by the previous owner. Thanks for the info.

I'm trying to decide on the best combination of tractor/mower size for our new 12 acre property. I really like the class III boomers but the $ and maneuverability have me checking out the class II machines and there capabilities as well.

 

[jinman]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Our new property is mostly flat with gentle slopes. It's all grass and has been regularly bushhogged by the previous owner. Thanks for the info.

I'm trying to decide on the best combination of tractor/mower size for our new 12 acre property. I really like the class III boomers but the $ and maneuverability have me checking out the class II machines and there capabilities as well.
)</font>

If you buy that TC30 and put a 84" RFM behind it, you are essentially setting up a situation where you will get satisfactory results ONLY when there are perfect conditions. I think that's a risky way to go. Look at normal riding mowers. Even the ones with 25 hp only have a 52"-54" deck. There's a reason for that in my opinion. Why not drop back to a 72" RFM and give yourself a little more "buffer" room, or ideally, drop back to 60" and have enough power to mow anything you want in any condition? Otherwise, I'd go to a Class III with big fat turfs. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Buying a combination that will work only in the perfect condition is not something I'd recommend. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Propertymaint]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

I have a TC-40D and the 4cyl diesel runs an 84" rfm fine. Before I had this tractor I had a 25hp JD with a 72" mmm and it would load up pretty good on a heavy cut. The 3 cyl engine just did not have the torque. Most tractor dealers tell you to run the tractor at full throttle when running attatchments, and at full throttle the 30hp tractor may handle the 84" cut but I would think you would be pushing the limits of the tractor. Running full throttle goes against my grain - I run mine for hours between 2000-2400 rpm and the cut quality is just fine as well as better fuel economy. At wide open throttle the tractor gets jerky, the engine is screaming and your creating a whole lot of unnecessary noise for your customer or neighbor. I think under real world cutting conditions an 84" rfm would be too much for the 30 hp tractor. In my opinion I would not put anymore then a 72" rfm behind a 30hp tractor.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

To give you a reference, I have a 31 PTO HP HST tractor that pulls my 84" Landpride finnish mower. I am on all hills. It is a perfect setup but I wish I had a 96" mower. There are a handful of times when I slow down, typically uphill and tall which usually means wet grass. Not an issue though, HST makes it a snap. To bad your not around the corner, I would gladly let you try mine out on a TC 30.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

Well I'm the guy (or perhaps one of them) who often tosses out the 3 to 5 PTO hp for every foot of mower deck number. I do it for good reason, that is each of us has different conditions, but the numbers stand up pretty well as baseline numbers.

I can tell you that my 18.5pto hp tractor with a 60" deck has absolutely NO problems under 95% of the conditions. However, when the grass gets TOO LONG and/or is wet (I really hate mowing so if the lovely Mrs_Bob slacks off in her mowing duties -she has her own tractor- then I get out to do some mowing) anyway, if it is long or wet I can begin choking my tractor in the lush spots of the lawn. Now I also have some reclaimed fields that I've never had a problem with mowing because the lawn is sparce.

Bear in mind, I am one of those belt & suspender guys. I would rather buy a slightly smaller implement and have all the HP that is needed when conditions are tough, than buy a slightly larger implement and struggle when I can't get out to mow every single week. I see folks recommending 5' rotary cutters on small tractors and then saying just cut it 1/2 width when things get tough, or recommending a tiller that is 12" too wide and then justifying by advising that you just have to make 2 passes to get to full depth. Both of those types of things simply mean the implement is over sized.

Now all that said, many folks probably can use an 84" mower on a TC30 if their conditions are right. If the grass is kept mowed. If the lawn is generally sparce and the climate often arrid, then I would suggest you don't have a real big issue to worry about. But if you have a think lush lawn, or a nice fast growing rye or bluegrass lawn, or regular summer rains that keep the lawn growing, or you just don't like to mow very often . . . so please take the 3-to-5 PTO hp as a guideline, and then consider your own conditions. You might be fine or you might not. But many of us sitting on our side of our computer screens can't really see what is on your side of your computer screen. I'd rather give out a broad recommendation than a specific if I don't know what your exact conditions are.

 

[thcri]

Re: TC30 w/ 84\" RFM

It seems to me someone here put a 84" mower RFM on a John Deere 2210. He even had pictures of it and said it worked fine. Anyway as long as the grass is short and dry you won't have any troubles. If long and wet just pray it dries out fast before the grass gets any longer.


murph