TN 65 question

[ironpen]

We have a TN65 (non cab) that's about 3 years old....the last one before they shortened the snout on them. We have three larger tractors, but my farm partner hooked up a 10 foot Woods rotary cutter to it while the batwing used on the larger tractors is getting some repairs. I used it today and it seemed to do OK. On the way home, I began thinking that maybe that 10 foot cutter was too large for it. It didn't bog down and it's a hydraulic lift type so I don't think there was too much weight on the rear of the tractor......but I need some of you experienced guys to comment. Is that too much strain on the tractor? Am I being unsafe using it ( the terrain is a little bumpy in places but no real steep uphill or sidehill areas). Thoughts anyone? Thanks.

 

[LoneCowboy]

go for it
I run an 8' cutter on my TN75 and it barely notices it's back there.
a 10' wouldn't be any big deal either.
The lift capacity of the TN is close to 4000lbs, a 10' cutter probably weighs 2000lbs (or so)

BTW, i run a 15' batwing on my TN75. In real heavy stuff it can struggle, but typically rocks right thru it.

 

[Wildcat Ranch]

The tractor is only going to have as much strain as you put on it. I personally would prefer to have bigger mowers/equipment and to just slow up a gear or two when I get into some thick grass then be able to 'muscle' through the thick stuff yet once through the thick stuff, you can't increase speed because of terrain or cutting quality.

I have wanted to ask Robert if his TN starts emitting black smoke when it starts 'working'. I always go by the sound of the engine and amount of black smoke. Baling with my TN, when feeding a decent amount, yet no way over kill, it drops 300 rpm's at every stroke and emits a decent amount of black smoke. Don't know if the smoke is normal or if its a sign of engine trouble.....

Sorry for the long post!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The tractor is only going to have as much strain as you put on it. I personally would prefer to have bigger mowers/equipment and to just slow up a gear or two when I get into some thick grass then be able to 'muscle' through the thick stuff yet once through the thick stuff, you can't increase speed because of terrain or cutting quality.

I have wanted to ask Robert if his TN starts emitting black smoke when it starts 'working'. I always go by the sound of the engine and amount of black smoke. Baling with my TN, when feeding a decent amount, yet no way over kill, it drops 300 rpm's at every stroke and emits a decent amount of black smoke. Don't know if the smoke is normal or if its a sign of engine trouble.....

Sorry for the long post!

I have a canopy so I really can't see the exhaust very well but if my memory serves me it does blow black smoke while working hard but I do not see a drop in rpm while baling on any individual stroke. It does strain handling my 575 baler but that is to be expected giving the combination.

 

[Doc_Bob]

If my TN70A emits black smoke, I have never seen it.
If it does, it is not much.
I will try to pay attention next time.
Bob

 

[Wildcat Ranch]

If I'm not mistaken, the TN70 is turbocharged. Thats going to clean up the smoke. When I had the turbo on mine, I never ever noticed even a little bit of smoke when working it at 540 pto rpm even with a load. At startup or when I gave it full throttle from idle, it would emit a small cloud but I think that was from the the turbo leaking oil into the intake. That turbo made the TN65 much more responsive and felt like it had a lot more power even through I didn't touch the pump.

Now that this thread has been hijacked, lets get back to ironpen's question. You had asked if your being unsafe using a 10'. First thing that I would say is use your best judgement! My main concern has always been that I can stop the tractor in a safe manner. Is your TN65 MFWD and are all your tires loaded? That will make a huge difference in the way your tractor handles any piece of equipment. I pulled a 1002 bale wagon this year with my TN which is 2wd and empty tires. Had to be a little more careful but I wouldn't have considered it dangerous...

 

[Doc_Bob]

If I'm not mistaken, the TN70 is turbocharged.

Yes and it is a 3-cylinder too.
Bob

 

[schmism]

Yes and it is a 3-cylinder too.
Bob

i thought we were talking about a TN65

 

[Doc_Bob]

i thought we were talking about a TN65

Sorry, a TN70A is very similar.
Bob

 

[KenPauling]

I own a 4 year old TN65D and do a lot of Brush hog work with it. I wish I had a 10 foot rotary mower for my TN. I use a 6 foot trail mower and I don't even hardly know its there! The important factors are your ground speed, the height you are mowing and what you are cutting. If you are just mowing grass a foot or two high at a speed under 4 mph, your tractor will do fine.(as long as your blades are in good shape. Try mowing 5 foot high jungle at the mowers lowest setting and going fast and you will have trouble. Common sense while mowing will make that 10' mower work for you. If the field is real high, gear down and set the mower to its highest setting and you might have to cut it a second time lower. Once you have the field under control, your brush hog can actually do a real nice job if its cutting the material not just ripping it up. Ken