Which Rotary Cutter for a MidChassis 4x10?

tim_s · Jan 15, 2004

I have a 2wd 4300 and use a MX5 cutter. Until I got the FEL the front end was very light even with six suitcase weights on the front bumper. Scary sometimes (I have the SST trans). I have also used a howse 6' cutter on open pasture. The Mx5 in my opinion is very tough mower. Clearing our land, and old farm, I have cut through all kind of stuff. Saplings, hidden fence posts and tire rims, old pistons and other assorted half buried car parts, you name it. By all means get the slip clutch. I have the rear wheels of the tractor set to 60" and with the 60" mower if the wheels fit then the mower usualy will also. Of course in open areas a mower wider than the rear track lets you get closer to the fence line and such.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 15, 2004

the price difference we could not go with the deere stuff 600kk to 1200 or more deere, i could buy 2 kk <- that's MOPAR orange...

Thanks. I figure the same way, but I need the slip clutch and chains. For me it was $700.00 for the KK, $100, for the chains, $100. for the clutch, and $90 for tax. The Deere LX5 is about $50 more, and much nicer....

Here's the important scoop. When our coastal bermuda grass gets about a foot tall and thick, it can easily bog down our available HP(even my 5' LX5). I've tried with Loadmatch and yes it keeps it from bogging down, but it slows ground speed too much so I turn it off -Kyle 

As usual, great info, Kyle. Right now, I have weeds, but grass IS the goal...

 As for ballast, it is back-end heavy without something in front. Use the FEL if there is heavier brush, as it will help knock it down. Otherwise, I put on 6 suitcase weights and it does just fine, -Bebster

 have a 2wd 4300 and use a MX5 cutter. Until I got the FEL the front end was very light even with six suitcase weights on the front bumper. Scary sometimes (I have the SST trans). I have also used a howse 6' cutter on open pasture. -tim_s 

Tim, did the 6' seem to cut faster, or was there no real life differance. I like the idea of the LX5 since, we are cutting grass and weeds, not clearing brush. And my wife could hook it up without having to add front weights. Of, course, there is also the loader for ballast. I want to talk to my dealer about that... I don't want to tear the front end up. 

 Clearing our land, and old farm, I have cut through all kind of stuff. Saplings, hidden fence posts and tire rims, old pistons and other assorted half buried car parts, you name it
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I sure hope those fence posts weren't osage orange....

zuiko · Jan 15, 2004

I ended up getting a MX6 for my 990 even though they recommend the MX5 as the max. I wanted a medium duty cutter and I also wanted to cover the rear width, the MX5 would not do that.

I imagine the recomendation is because of stability with all the weight on the back (though it's well within the 3ph lift capability) and it has the power to drive it (35 PTO HP). The dealer didn't think the MX6 would be a problem either. Don't have it yet so I will find out. I plan on leaving the loader on, I'll need the weight in the front anyway.

jrdellaratta · Jan 15, 2004

I got the older version of the MX5---the 513 rotary cutter when I bought my 990. The cutter has actually never been used, and I've been getting by with my beat-up 60" BushHog razorback, I think it's called.
I'm tempted to try and sell the 513 and put the cash to new 6' cutter, as plus I don't like the "boxiness" of the 513; the newer cutters are more rounded-off, aren't they?
Almost all my cutting wil be light-duty, I expect.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 15, 2004

I'm tempted to try and sell the 513 and put the cash to new 6' cutter 

I have seen the x13's, They weren't Deere's best effort. I hear they get beat up pretty badly. You probably would be ahead to sell it while its new. The LXx series is a big improvement.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 15, 2004

Talked to some dealers.

1 Ballasting the front tires was recommended.

2 Mowing with the loader on was recommended.

lx5 - $1149
lx6 - $1317
mx5 - $1400

The mx5 looks like the best buy...

Old_Hickory · Jan 15, 2004

( I got the older version of the MX5---the 513 rotary cutter )

The 513 is not even made by the same people who makes the MX5,at least I do not think they are.
The 513 is a feable attempt at being a bush hog,I could not believe how much I beat mine up the 1st 2 weeks I had it.
It is a much sturdier unit since I made numerous reinforcements to it.
The difference between the MX series and the 513 series etc is the difference between day and night.

jrdellaratta · Jan 16, 2004

This is very disappointing news.
My strategy has alternated between trading in the 513 for something sturdier, versus using the older Bush Hog to knock everything down in the spring, and then switching to the 513 to keep things maintained for the rest of the season.
But selling the 513 seems to make better sense than ever, based on the above posts, and it seems I should just have an MX-5 or -6 to handle everything. What could I reasonably sell the 513 for, or expect to get in trade for it? $1000?
The horsepower provided by my 990 seems like it won't be a factor/problem, to handle the MXx series.

Raphael

DK35vince · Jan 16, 2004

$1000 for a JD 513 cutter sounds really high to me.
I purchased one barely used in perfect condition with slip clutch from a dealer for $650 used it for 4 or 5 years and recently sold it in good condition for $400.