Can this be done safely? I have a few big mowing accounts that I have been doing for the past 3 yrs with a 6' landpride rotary cutter, I figured I have enough HP for the 12' cutter but not sure of the weight. Does anyone have any thoughts?
I originally was going to get the 7' cutter but decide on the 6' because of my trailer, I figured 6" on both sides isnt going to mean much time. If Im going to move up on mowers at all it would be something significant. I think the main reason for the limitations is the weight.....you know the whole tail wagging the dog thing.....I figured with my tractor with FEL and filled/weighted tires Im somewhere around 6k # so I would think it would handle a 2500# machine pretty well, but for the cost of those batwings it has to work I cant be guessing, or it would be for sure a very costly mistake......but then again Ive made plenty of those!!I wouldn't hesitate to put an 84" brush hog, or a 96" finish mower behind it. I often wonder where they get their limitations.
The only problem I have with a 10' would be transport. I have a 22' dovetail equipment trailer that has 7' wide deck. Yeah I would probably prefer mowing without the loader, but I always seem to need it, when Im cutting. The first thing I do is go beneath some trees and pick up a load of dirt for weight, works pretty well. Thanks for info Ill check it outYep, that's a lot of weight, even worse with a CG about 5' behind you. Even with the FEL it is going to be a lot.
Agri Supply has a Kodiak 10', 2-blade mower that weighs about 1460 lbs - $4000; something to consider. It is a big step up from 6'. You should be able to handle that without the FEL, although you might want a 250 lb front bumper if it is hilly. With the FEL it shouldn't be a problem. Several of us really prefer to remove the FEL for mowing...
Let us know which way you go, and how it works out.
Good point Bulldog, I guess it sounds like Ill have to pick up some more accounts before I get a bigger mower.Honestly, I don't see the weight being the problem. Unless it's big hills 2500lbs shouldn't be a issue.
IMHO I don't think you have enough HP for a 12' cutter. Clipping pastures you might be okay but what I think of as normal material for a rotary cutter to be used on I have my doubts.
I base this on the fact my M9000 has almost double (80 hp) the pto hp your MX5100 does and my 15' batwing is a load in heavy grass. Clipping pastures is not a problem but heavy grass is a workout.
Looking over the specs on the 12' cutter you're just barely on the low end of the scale which works against you. I'm afraid you'll bite off more than your MX can chew with a 12' cutter. Myself, I wouldn't even look at a 10' cutter for that tractor.
You know what your situation is but my suggestion would be a smaller double spindle cutter like the RCD 1884 or the RCR 2596. I'll say this though, I also have a Bushhog model 3008 which has a 98" cut and in super heavy grass it's a hand full. Keep us posted.