Mowing TC35, what size Rough Cut Mower?

[NewHollandOwner]

I have a TC35 and currently run a SQ72 (base model Bush Hog 6 footer). My question is, is the 84" too big to be spun behind this tractor? Just wondering, I probably wouldn't move up, but wondered if the tractor could handle it effectively anyway?

 

[Soundguy]

6' brush mower.

Yes.. it would make the blades spin on a 84" unit.. might even mow light stemmy dry thin grass.. but that tractor just isn't made for the 84' mower..etc.

Soundguy

 

[jinman]

I think the "rule of thumb" for mower width is one foot for each five PTO hp (not engine hp). With that formula, you are already a little over with the 6' cutter.

Another thing you should be aware of. . .
You should slowly engage the PTO at low engine RPM and also lower the engine RPM before disengaging the PTO. This will eliminate stress on the driveline components. Make sure the PTO handle is fully engaged or the clutch may slip under heavy loads. On a 5' cutter it might not be as critical, but on a 6' or 7' cutter you have a lot more mass and over time can stress the PTO. My Owner's Manual doesn't say to do this. It just says to start the engine and engage the PTO. That's just wacky. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[have_blue]

I have a 72", and I think it's "right sized". I used a TC29 and a 5 footer to chew out my field. Now I have the TC35 and 72", and just knee high weeds and shin high grass (It occasionally gets away from me due to rain). I think this is the perfect combo. I don't think I would be happy with a larger cutter. I run in 8th gear. I think I would have to back off 2 gears with an 84", which would negate the extra foot and put a strain on the little Boomer.

You may or may not be interested in this. Last year, I started mowing with very sharp blades and dropping well below the 540RPM PTO speed. Instead of cutting and re-cutting the grass like a lawn mower, it now cuts more like a sickle bar mower, laying the grass down mostly full length. This saves a lot of fuel, blade sharpening, engine and gearbox wear, noise, and operator stress. Instead of all that racket, it makes a nice swooshing noise, and you can hear the blades cutting rather than flailing and grinding.

 

[NewHollandOwner]

This is kind of the response I expected, which is fine because after I posted it I thought to myself "I can't fit a blade of grass between the fold up ramps and my 6 footer on the trailer". Anyway, I hadn't heard the PTO HP to cutter width equation, so thats nice to know. I had my son running the mower FIRST time home from the dealer, about 10 minutes in he found a piece of Re-Bar in the field with my new toy. Not his fault, it was left over from the construction of my garage. So, I thought about the blade situation early on. I mainly cut about a 5 acre field behind the house, I might take on a "sticker" (thorn) bush once in a while. The blades were less than "dull" when bought new, so I dressed them up a little. Not Sharp, so as to de dull in 30 seconds, but a nice edge, maybe say, 1/8" or so on edge. Nice tips on engaging the PTO at low RPM, makes sense. I do it on the way up, but I think I disengage at running speed, I'll keep that in mind from now on.
Thanks for the input, what I have works great for me anyway.

 

[techinNY]

As far as the mower size, you could run the larger mower without a problem power wise but the added weight would cause you to do wheelies with it off the ground. As far as PTO disengagement/engagement, with the engine at an idle is the best way to do it. Your PTO is a hydraulic cluth pack type that has a brake on it that is engaged when you disengage the PTO. The inertsa created by the weight of the blades of the mower will over ride the PTO brake and wear them down to the point that the PTO will spin even when it is disengaged. This is caused by the friction normally created in the clutch pack which is the reason for the brake. I'm not trying to worry you but if you disenge the PTO at 540 PTO speed all the time, you will wear the brake down that much faster and the cost of the repair is not cheap.

 

[PineRidge]

If you use the rotary cutter a lot consider adding an over-running clutch. It will save wear and tear on your PTO brake.

 

[djradz]

This is how I engage/disengage my hog. Raise the engine RPMs to about 1500-1700, then slowly move the PTO lever until the implement starts to spin, then complete the lever move. To stop the implement, I lower the engine RPMs to about 1200-1500 and then slowly move the PTO lever to disengage the PTO.

 

[Guidster]

Have a look at the SQ84T. 84" w/ 2 gearboxes. I use one with my D40 and love it--the 1' offset is sure nice for getting close to those fences. Also, as it has 2 gearboxes, smaller blades and is shorter, our tractors can handle it--even in tall, wet grass. Only squawk I read about is a reportedly weak 3 point hitch that did not support the offset well. This was some time ago. The one I purchased a couple of months ago is quite stout and I would sure envision something else bending before the hitch would....
knock on wood.