Rotary Cutter Upgrading Rotary Mower

[countrybumpkin]

I'm running a 8 foot 3pt, 1600 lbs on my NX5510. Unless your on nice flat ground, I wouldn't want a 10 solid deck, my 8 is bad enough on uneven ground, I've been looking at 12' batwing cutters for this reason.

 

[LD1]

How uneven is your terrain.

I have a 8' twin and dont have much issue with uneven ground. But pay attention to the direction you are going when crossing swales and knolls. Its not a problem.

The Titans are lighter duty cutters. The 1810 is 1480# though not 1250, but I still wouldnt worry about it on that tractor. But wouldnt want to get into too much brush and saplings with it. Bu for pasture maintenance I wouldnt be afraid. And the price is pretty fair for that cutter.

I looked pretty long at Titan 1808 and the 1810. The 1810 is still 150# lighter than my 8. But my hold up was the 10' width and trailering. Thats wide load permit territory. So I was looking long and hard at the titans, kodiaks, and howse all in 8' twins. But ended up with a used Woods DS96 for ~$2500.

But at the end of the day, dont let the dealer talk you into something that isnt going to satisfy you. Dealers are always conservative on their implement recommendations. Especially mowers. Because they think if you can mow at 4-5 MPH then the cutter is too big. Dont fall for that. If you want a tow model and a batwing, go for it. Unless the dealer is willing to credit you full price if you use it and decide you want bigger.

 

[dsb5610]

I have a Woods BW12 on a 4720 Deere HST (56hp PTO). Tractor is pushing 7000lbs before hitching to mower.

The BW12 weighs around 2500lbs with 750lbs of tongue weight. Make sure your drawbar is rated for the tongue weight. Requires two SCVs, one with float.

Getting the mower spun up may be your issue. The 4720 has an electrically engaged PTO. All or nothing. Engaged at 1700rpm and it drops to 1000rpm for a second or so. Once engaged the tractor can be set at idle.

I mow pasture/firebreaks at 5-6" and CRP at 8"-12". Usually run 3-4mph which is a comfortable ride. In waist high CRP I slowed down when I could hear the mower processing material. If you plan to cut waist high material down to 4" you will need to slow down.

The 4720/BW12 is a good match. BW12 does a great job. 4720 never complains. I mow grass/weeds and occasional multiflora rose but no trees. Ground is sloped.

dsb

 

[LD1]

Not to sidetrack...but....Does the 4720 have a clutch also?

What about the NX the op is looking at?

My MX hst PTO isn't electric, but it's still hydraulic that is supposed to be no clutch needed. I don't like doing that with the 8' twin. Just old school I guess. I like starting things easy and bringing it to speed slowly.

My MX has a clutch. Only need to push to start tractor. But I also use it to ease into cutter as clutch also disconnects pto.

Don't know if I would like one of these newer hst tractors without a clutch. Because it is still my first reaction / instinct in an "oh *****" moment. Like when I hear something unusual under the cutter, like a was of fence, rock, etc

 

[countrybumpkin]

On my NX it's a independent electric over hydraulic activated pto, but it's a soft start, I start my 8' twin at idle with no issues. You could set a cup of coffee on the deck and not spill much if any.

 

[dsb5610]

The 4720 PTO is a multi-disk wet clutch. Electric over hydraulic engagement that is modulated for softer start. Most attachments start at idle or high idle.

dsb

 

[LD1]

Does it have a standard clutch that disconnects everything from the engine though?

 

[countrybumpkin]

Not on the NX Even on the shuttle shift NXs the clutch does not effect the pto.

 

[LD1]

Not on the NX Even on the shuttle shift NXs the clutch does not effect the pto.

U wouldn't like that at all

 

[rossgtn]

UPDATE!!! Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions. I settled on the 10' 3 point Titan 1800 series mower. The dealer delivered my new NX5510 and mower last Wednesday. I now have 10 hrs. on the tractor and have mowed the fields (approx. 40 acres) for the first time. I started with the front field which I had let grow a little more than I had planned on so it was a foot or more tall. Now at this height it would take me about 9 or 10 hours to mow before, I was finished in 4 hrs. I can't believe the difference, I was able to mow a lot of the thinner stuff running flat out in mid range, in some area's I had to slow a bit but nothing like what I had to do with the Bobcat and 6' mower. Also with the extra weight of the tractor and the loaded rear tires, the ruts where much more manageable. I didn't have to slow to a craw like I did with the lighter and smaller Bobcat CT235. The other field wasn't as tall and the first field and took just 3 hrs. to mow. This would have been 8 hrs. or more with the Bobcat. The tractor handled the mower just fine, no issues. I think that going with the 12' batwing would have been a waste of 6 to 7 thousand dollars. Can't wait to start mowing hay with the FEL hay spear and see how that works.