*UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6' RFM

[bota3400]

*UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

The dealer loaned me a new Bush Hog RDTH 60 5' RFM and I just finished trying it. It does pull quiet better than the 6' RFM did. At least I could pull some in Medium speed now with a lot less problems. I am still not happy with the L2800 because you can only run the accellerator pedal 1/2 down or slower in Medium speed or you still stall or bog down really bad like it did with the 72" RFM. The 72" RFM would pretty much not even allow Medium speed to be used at all and even semi-bogged on Low speed with the pedal down. I even run the throttle up to max and tried it above 540rpm knowing that the rpms would drop with the tractor moving. It still bogged but allowed me up to 1/2 pedal down in Medium before it did. Keep in mind that My grass is not in need of a rotary cutter but it is between 3-5" at the most height.
I have 1.1hrs on the meter and the dealership is going to be putting me an L3400 HST 4wd with 27.5hp at the PTO together this week. It will cost me about a grand but I know that the extra 5hp will deffinitely pull the 6' RFM with no problems at all. I used a gear drive tractor on my property that was rated at 27hp @ PTO and never had one problem even in 3rd gear high. If I can cut in Medium speed with my 6' RFM I will be happy with the L3400 that I am going to be getting the following week. If it can't cut the mustard to speak, I guess I am cut out for gear drive tractors! Thanks for eveyones input. Thanks,AL

P.S) I also spoke to a couple of other dealers and they all told me that the 6' RFM really needed the extra power of the L3400. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[smittyd3]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

You are doing the right thing, and the extra thousand is money well spent.

Smitty

 

[Bob_Young]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

Uh...are you going to change your name? Maybe better wait until you see how the L3400 does. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If they're going to take up the same space, get the one with guts....goes double for HST.
Bob

 

[_RaT_]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

<font color="blue"> I am still not happy with the L2800 because you can only run the accellerator pedal 1/2 down or slower in Medium speed or you still stall or bog down really bad like it did with the 72" RFM. </font>

I assume you mean hydrostat pedal. Depending on the density and wetness of the grass, taking 4 or 5" off can still create a pretty good demand on the tractor.
I'd like to see how it cuts on the second cut or even third. How low are you mowing it? I find with finish mowers that going down as low as 1" makes it tough to clear the cutrting out from under the deck. I only tried it once since I cut my grass typically to 4 to 5".

 

[wushaw]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

I had that same model 5' Bush Hog finishing mower and used it once with my L2800 and it did just fine in med spd. I could mow as fast as the terrain and trees would allow.
I don't have it anymore cause it was part of a trade in for a 61" ZTR mower.
I don't blame ya for needing the extra HP, your the only one that has to be happy mowing.
Good luck with your new L3400 /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DHD]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

I wonder if part of your problem is weight to HP ratio.

The basic L2800 4WD HST weighs about 2600, do you have a FEL, if so your tires are probably loaded too.
Your mower probably weighs about 600 pounds or more.


I have about 6 acres of hilly lawn that I've mowed twice with a B7800 (Gross 30HP Eng. & 22HP PTO) with a Sitrex 72" RMM Rear discharge.
The last time I mowed the grass was over 6 inches tall in places due to an extremly long rainy period.
The tractor weighs 1741 and the mower weighs 500. There is no FEL and the tires are not loaded. (I wanted to be as light as I could for mowing grass.)
The engine on the B7800 is suppose to run at 2600 RPM to get 540 RPM on the PTO. I've been running the tractor in high range (my ground speed would be equal to average walking speed) and I run my engine at about 2200 - 2300 RPM so the PTO is running less than 540 RPM. I get a nice cut with these settings and I have extra power to spare. I notice only a slight engine strain mowing up hill or going from thin grass to thick grass. If the grass is a little wet I sometimes will run in 4WD to keep from losing traction.

 

[JerryG]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

You won't be happy even with a L5030 if you are using the pedal as an accelerator.
<font color="blue"> semi-bogged on Low speed</font> <font color="red"> with the pedal down</font>

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

I agree with JerryG on this, even a 5030 is not going to make you happy. My take on this is that it is very likely to be operator error. Now it could be an HST problem but based on what I am reading, using the HST pedal as an accelerator pedal is going to provide the exact oppost result as what is being looked for. Pressing down on the pedal all the way will yield the LEAST amount of torque power NOT the most.

 

[Dargo]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

Hey! My 5030 doesn't bog at all with my 72" finish mower. However, the belts on the mower deck sure will squall and start roasting in really tall thick grass. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Re: *UPDATE* L2800 HST 4wd problem pulling 6\' RFM

I suppose if he wants to press the hydro pedal all the way down he could shift into low if it has such a range. On the otherhand, I enjoy the abilities of medium range on mine.