Woods BB720 for NH TC45D

[mark99]

When I purchased my TC45D, I got the option to later purhase the Woods BB720 Cutter (medium duty) at a good price. In looking at the the unit now, the dealer and I tend to think this is too much for the tractor (cutter weight is 1,140lbs). Standard duty Woods BB72 is 702lbs. I have a lot of hillsides to cut and am concerned with front end wight. Anyone have experience with either of these cutters on TC45?

Thanks,
Mark in VA

 

[BKColeman]

Mark,

When I bought my TC 40D, I bought a BB60. I went to every dealer saying I wanted a medium duty cutter. Everyone said fine except for the dealer I bought from and he said he thought the BB600 was too heavy for my tractor. I listened to him and bought the 60, but now I wish I had bought the 600 (or even 720). My tractor doesn't even know the 60 is back there, even going through heavy stuff. By the time I added chains, I was getting close on the price, and I still have a shear bolt instead of slip clutch.

I bought the 60" model because of going in between trees, but now that I have it I don't believe the 72" would've been a problem.

Where are you located in Virginia? I'm outside of Roanoke at Smith Mountain Lake.

--Brad

 

[John_Mc]

Brad -

I'm curious, other than the size of the cut, have you had problems with your BB60? I would agree that a 72" would probably be a better match for your TC40D (I pull a BB60 behind my TC33D with no problems). But I'm curious if you really feel the need to go to a BB720, vs a BB72. That 720 is built like a TANK. Are you tearing up the BB60 with what you cut? If so, what kind of stuff are you cutting.

I have a friend with a TC40 who is wavering between the BB72 and the BB720. Based on what I''m able to cut with my BB60, I've been leaning towards the 72 for him. Info on your experience would be helpful.

John Mc

 

[mark99]

Brad,
I am in Nelson County. Thanks for the experienceYour model BB60 is 550lbs. The Medium duty model BB600 is 1,040lbs. Do you think almost 2x the weight would be a problem, especially light feeling front end?

Mark

 

[mark99]

John Mc,

Your point is my delima. The BB720 is such a heavy duty beast, I really wonder if I'll need it for 1" stuff and heavy grass/weeds. What can you cut with the BB60?

Mark

 

[BKColeman]

John and Mark,

To answer your questions. I think the standard duty brush bull has held up just fine. But I've seen some places that I would like to take it than I've been afraid to. I don't believe I would hesitate with the medium duty.

As far as do I think the medium duty would be too heavy for a TC 40/45D. No, I don't, but others might think so. Both are rated for 2330lbs 24" back. I realize a rotary cutter sticks back considerably farther than that, but we're talking well under half of the rated capacity and some of the weight is resting on the tail wheel most of the time. I mow with my loader on a lot, always when I'm in the rougher stuff so the light front end isn't a problem. Even without the loader, I've never noticed it feeling light in front.

So I don't think there is anything wrong with the standard duty models. It just bugs me that I wanted a medium duty and let myself get talked out of it. I know John Bud here at TBN uses a BB600 on his Kubota 3410 and is very happy with his choice. Also there was a guy under the screen name Antiques I believe who bought a Case 40DX (TC 40D clone) and he bought the BB720. I don't think he's posted much since getting his tractor but I assume he's happy with it.

--Brad

 

[jtn]

I have a Land Pride RC2572 (weighs 1031 lbs) for my TC45D with FEL. I have never taken the loader off so I can not speak for the front end feeling light. This is about the maximum weight cutter I would want on the tractor. As long as you have a FEL I would say go with the Woods BB720. Otherwise add front weight; either with a weight bracket or fill the front tires. I purposely bought the medium duty cutter for brush. Do not let your self be talked into a light duty unless you are only mowing grass.

JT

 

[John_Mc]

Mark -

With BB60 on a TC33D, my front end was a bit light until I got the FEL installed. Two of NH's smaller sized suitcase weights did the trick until the loader came in.

I've mowed a lot of DENSE stands of 3/4" brush/saplings. Have gone through 1" and some 1.5" stuff... had to slow down here, but that was more a function of the tractor than the cutter. I've also chopped up some individual 2" stuff, but it was mostly juniper and soft wood. The only problem I've had was when I hit a rock that was just the wrong size... it flew up and dented the deck a bit from the inside, so now I've got a bulge in it. Probably would not have happened with a BB600, but on the other hand, it has not changed the function of the unit at all, and I didn't buy it to look pretty.

I would have no fears running a steady diet of 1" stuff through my BB60. I would assume the BB72 would handle similar. The only thing I would change on my BB60 would be to install chain guards instead of the metal sheet that comes standard.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

John Mc,

I'm running a JD 1070 (+ FEL) with 3PH rating of 2020lbs. I've looked at the BB600, because I wanted a medium duty unit and I really like the blade attachment setup Woods uses. I contacted Deere and they advised against using the BB600 because of the weight, 1041lbs w/o chains. Like Brad noted, John Bud runs a BB600 on a 3410 and seems happy. In your opinion, do you think your tractor could handle a BB600 w/ chains?
Lastly, whats the 3PH rating of your tractor?

Russ

 

[john_bud]

After seeing my name , I guess I should pipe up!

Yes, The 600 and 720 are big heavy units. The extra weight is all in structural steel and in the center hub. It is the biggest strongest one I have seen, in this class of equipment. I have backed into rocks that were 2' out of the ground and who knows how big under the ground with no damage other than paint chips. It also is much nicer cutting heavy brush and 2" trees that are 12 to 20 foot tall. The extra weight bends them over and chomp chomp they are gone.

I have added the heavy duty top link support bracket that is used for attachment of a BackHoe. It spreads the stress from the back only to the back and top of the rear end. I also travel with the cutter down between cuttings and the weight on the rear wheel, to minimize stress on the 3pt lift cylinder.

For me, the BB600 has been great. The front end does not feel light at all, but then I keep the FEL on too. My technique for cutting while going forward on new soon to be trails is to lower the bucket to about 2" and slowly creep forward. I avoid many rocks, stumps and fallen branches that way.


One short story - A buddy was helping me clear some old road ways and after hearing me hit a couple of rocks and stumps he was sure that the cutter had to be damaged. Nope. The blades were still tree cutting sharp with only a couple nicks. No dents in the deck or sides either. His only comment after inspecting it was that his cutter would have needed "dozens" of shear bolts and a couple sets of new blades.

My advice is to buy the 720 and cut with either front weights or just keep the FEL attached.

John Bud