TC45 + 8' rotary cutter?

[LoneCowboy]

possible, not possible?

rhino (spit, puke) 6' cutter has destroyed where the blades attach to the stump jumper and I utterly refuse to put another dime into the POJ. But I need another cutter that's bigger than my (still working fine, never had one issue, 4 years older, $700) 5' Bush Hog

I've got an 8' rhino (spit puke) SE8, that I used to run behind my TN75 (which barely noticed it was there), but now with a 15' batwing, I almost never run the 8' behind the TN75.

Could I run the 8' behind the TC?
weight is approximately 1500lbs, supposadley the TC lifts over 2000 (in fact, I know it does from running an Aerway on it)
I'm at 5000ft, so power is down 20% or so (which is sometimes a problem already with the cab model TC45)
All we get is grass, weeds, very very small brush here. think grass, not brush.

It would save me from having to spend another $3000 getting a big monster 6' cutter (from landpride or bushhog)

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I think the best way for you to find out is to hook it up since you already have it there. I think it will turn it but if you get into thick grass you might need to slow down more.

The only problem I could see is it might be harder on the TC and possibly do more wear and tear on the TC then a 6' or 7' cutter.

 

[RickB]

I'm with Robert. You know your conditions better than we do, and it won't cost much for you to find out. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[GATC35]

Last summer I ran a 8 ft. dual spindle Kodiak cutter (1,125 lbs) behind my TC-45D 4x4 R-4 tires. I was really surprized how well the 45D handled that big cutter. I kept my FEL installed but would remove the bucket via the QA feature, and the front end of the tractor never seemed to get light. The 45 seemed to have plenty of HP 95% of the time. If I got into something really thick and heavy I would just take a 4 or 5 ft cut instead of the full eight. The only thing I didn't like was the way the 3 pt. hitch attached to the cutter. The cutter was actually set up to have captive pins spaced for a Cat. II hitch. So I had to use a standard 3 pt. Cat I pin bolted to the inboard side of the cutter mounts. The pins always seem to be stressed and distorted. I never liked this set up. So I agree with "Rober in NY" with the wear and tear comment.

About 2 months ago I picked up a used Kubota M5400 58 Hp/50 PTO HP 2 WD with R-1 tires. The 8 ft cutter now stays on the Kubota. In fact the only job the Kubota has is a dedicated bush hogging tractor. The TC-45 is used for FEL work, tiller, box blade, landscape rake, etc.

Just some background I have a small side business doing landscaping, tilling gardens, bushogging, etc. I started with a Ford 3910 with a 5 ft cutter. I have owned A TC-35D and currently still have the TC-45D, plus the Kubota M5400. I have used about every brand of rotary cutter on the market. I found your comment about the Rhino cutter dead on with my experiences. I had a Rhino SE-7 that just couldn't take the work load. In fact one day I looked back and the tail wheel was gone. Broke off at the welds. In my book it's hard to beat the bush hog brand.

Anyway hope this helps. If you have any question just let me know.

Mark in Georgia.

 

[sweep]

I have a 7' Brush Hog "Squealer" that I use with my TC45A.

My property is kinda hilly and I don't think the tractor could handle an 8" bruch hog "comfortably".

I have weights on the front end and going up a hill with the brush hog raised the front of of the tractor get's light or even comes off the ground so I normally keep it lowered.

My personal opinion is the 8 ft while it may work is not as user friendly to the tractor (wear and tear)as the 7'..I think the 8' is borderline.

 

[dubldee]

I agree with Sweep.
I have a TC-40D and a rhino 72" rotary cutter.

That cutter is all that lil Blue wants to handle. You've got 5 more HP or so, but you're talking about 1/3 more cutting width. My guess is the tractor will stumble a bit.

 

[deerhunterf350]

LC,

How about an update ??

Did you try it out, will the 45 pull it OK ??

 

[Soundguy]

Sounds like time for a turbocharger too!

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'd bet that once you try it in real world working conditions, you scrap the idea. That's a BUNCH of mower for a 45hp tractor.

 

[threeman]

I wish you were closer, I got a good brown 72" for sale.

 

[LoneCowboy]

No, never tried it. Sometimes the TC45 struggles pretty hard with the 6' er.

I think it's too much.
might work on real thin stuff (which occasionally happens) but not typically.

Now, if the TC45 had 5 to 10 more hp LIKE IT DESPERATELY NEEDS, it would probably be fine. (remember I'm at 5000 feet and the TC45 isn't a turbo)

 

[jinman]

Now, if the TC45 had 5 to 10 more hp LIKE IT DESPERATELY NEEDS, it would probably be fine. (remember I'm at 5000 feet and the TC45 isn't a turbo)

Am I the only one who noticed that you just perfectly described a TC55DA? (+ 5 to 10 hp, turbo)

 

[Soundguy]

Anyone making turbo kits to un-naturally aspirate those things.

I remember you could get kits like M&W for the older fords.. like for a 5000.. etc.. almost turn it into a 7000 ...and if you kept your foot out of it.. it might last too!

soundguy

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Am I the only one who noticed that you just perfectly described a TC55DA? (+ 5 to 10 hp, turbo)

Does the TC55DA have a factory cab now? That was his problem before as he wanted/needed a cab on the tractor.

 

[Ford850]

Does the TC55DA have a factory cab now? That was his problem before as he wanted/needed a cab on the tractor.

Yes, the new 4055 and 4060 have the cabs available.

 

[jinman]

Does the TC55DA have a factory cab now? That was his problem before as he wanted/needed a cab on the tractor.

As Ford850 pointed out, the cabs are now available, but I think you are right Robert. When LC originally bought the TC45DA with cab, the cabbed TC55DA was not available. Also, I believe he wanted an HST transmission because that's what his wife preferred. This was to be her primary tractor. The TC55DA does not have an HST of course. I was just kidding with LC about his description because it fit the TC55DA so perfectly.

 

[Ford850]

As Ford850 pointed out, the cabs are now available, but I think you are right Robert. When LC originally bought the TC45DA with cab, the cabbed TC55DA was not available. Also, I believe he wanted an HST transmission because that's what his wife preferred. This was to be her primary tractor. The TC55DA does not have an HST of course. I was just kidding with LC about his description because it fit the TC55DA so perfectly.

You're right Jinman, his post does describe the 55. Sort of like a salesmans dream statement from a customer... "If they only made these with more blah blah blah and a bigger thingamajig, I would buy 2". And the salesman points to a tractor behind the customer and says smiling, "They DO"!
But the 55 and 60's are larger framed and not as nimble as the 45's, so they might not meet LoneCowboys needs either.
And speaking of the 55's, how many times can NH change the name in a year? They went from TC55, to 2410, to 4055, all in a years time?

 

[LoneCowboy]

yeah, the TC55 had no cab at the time. (whatever it's called now, it might)

It's not that much bigger, it would have worked, we just wanted a compact with a cab. Personally I didn't want HST, too much power loss, rather have a powershift style (like a backhoe), but in NH's genius, you can only get a TC45 cab with HST. The wife likes the HST so, that's all good. I know better than to argue.

 

[joes_427_vette]

It may handle the cutter in lite material but it won't take long for the PTO to show its dislike in the form of gears and bearings. 45 hp is barely on the edge of 6' in grass over a foot tall.

 

[Kubotasrking]

Could I run the 8' behind the TC?

I wouldn't. Mine is a 6', and in thick grass/clover, gives my girl a workout.