What size bush hog : wide as or smaller ?

BWa · Aug 1, 2003

I have a JD990 ( 40hp / 35 hp PTO 1500lbs lift at 24" )and have found I really do need a bush hog ,,, but what size ? I am looking at heavy duty that is a given ,( I have not decided on what brand or model yet ) so for example given a choice between a 5' wide MX or a 6' MX what would be the best choice for this tractor and first time user ? If these are not a good fit then how about the LX series 5' and 6' models ...
Thank You
Bill G.
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Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 1, 2003

I hate to be the master of the obvious here, but, if you're looking at a Deere cutter for your Deere tractor, why not ask Deere?

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

According to Deere it's the MX5 or the LX6 if you want the lighter duty but bigger size. Check it out at JD attachments

icat · Aug 1, 2003

Both the MX5 and the MX6 will work fine given your PTO HP. The MX 5 only needs 25 PTO HP, with the MX6 coming in at 30 PTO HP. As to which one is best, that would depend on how many acres you are mowing, how much time you have, how much money you have, how many trees you have, how many... you get the picture. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think I recall my dealer telling me that at 4 mph it takes a 5 foot cutter 2.5 hours to cut 5 acres, with a 6 footer coming in at 2 hours. Not much difference if you're only cutting 5 acres, quite a lot if you're cutting 100. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

F350Lawman · Aug 1, 2003

Both the MX5 and the MX6 will work fine given your PTO HP. The MX 5 only needs 25 PTO HP, with the MX6 coming in at 30 PTO HP. As to which one is best, that would depend on how many acres you are mowing, how much time you have, how much money you have, how many trees you have, how many... you get the picture.

I would agree, according to his PTO HP he should be fine with an MX6 but JD... the people who will be warrantying his tractor disagree /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

They list ONLY the LX6 and MX5, they do not list a 6ft medium duty cutter.

Henro · Aug 2, 2003

I was torn between getting a 5' which would cover my track and something smaller. I have a 30HP [22 pto hp] Kubota B2910.

In the end I bought the 5' woods bb 60.

I have only limited use so far but I am pretty sure I made the right decision.

So my vote would be to get one that covers your tracks. Nothing narrower than what your rear wheels measure at the widest point....

Right or wrong...that is the way I now feel after getting and using the one I have...

JohnMiller3 · Aug 2, 2003

( a JD990 ( 40hp / 35 hp PTO 1500lbs lift at 24" ) 

Your 990 will drive the MX6... but your main limitation will be controlling its weight of 1000 + lbs. danging off the 3-pt. hitch... (also considering your 3-pt hydraulics relief valve set @ 1500 lbs. lift capacity)

See if you can hook up a 6' unit and test it for geometry's sake... (but still not as good as real life testing, as in side-hilling and inclines doing actual cutting) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

icat · Aug 2, 2003

( I would agree, according to his PTO HP he should be fine with an MX6 but JD... the people who will be warrantying his tractor disagree /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

They list ONLY the LX6 and MX5, they do not list a 6ft medium duty cutter.)

I haven't seen the tractor brochure. The JD Rotary Cutter catalog for the MX, HX, and CX series cutters only lists the PTO HP required. Weight of the unit matches the original posts specs, so I based my comments on that. I did just notice that the MX6 is shown with a Cat 2 hitch - so maybe it's NOT the best choice. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Then again, what do I know - my tractor's Orange! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif