Land Pride RTA1274 vs Dirt Dog RT206 widths

[jcwren]

I have a L4701, and the width of the outside tread of the rear wheels (not the sidewall to sidewall width) is 70 1/2" inches. I really want a Land Pride RTA 1274, but they're next to impossible to find in the Southeast. The 1274's end plate to end plate distance is 74", which I assume is also the actual cutting width. The RT206 is 70 1/2" inches, and I can find one of those locally.

My question is this: With that 70 1/2" width being exactly the width of the *tread*, and assuming it's centered perfectly, am I going to see soil compaction or any other issues between passes? The RT206 doesn't have an offset option, and I'd really rather not have to deal with that. The RT207, which has 82 1/2" cutting width is right at the border line for horsepower, with a min/max of 45/65.

Along with that, any real negatives of one vs the other? The 1274 is a bit more expensive, and Kubota/LP just had a 4% price increase. Dirt Dog gets good reviews, but since I've used neither of these, I don't have any experience to compare them.

Thanks!

 

[B737]

removed

 

[jcwren]

I owned a 12 series, currently own a 15 series. Next one will be 18 series. I think your machine is too big for a 12 series cutter. I would opt for 18.
If you are at the rear wheel width, its nice because if the tractor fits through a tight spot the brush hog will follow.

https://cdn-assets.greatplainsmfg.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/311-883s.pdf

The RTA1274 is right in line for the L4701, with a HP min/max of 25/50. Indeed, for a 1266 or smaller, it would be too much. The overall width of the 1274 is 79 3/8", which is about 5 inches wider than the sidewall to sidewall distance of the tires. In my case, narrow spaces are fortunately not an issue. All the places I'll be using the tiller are wide open ungated areas.

 

[B737]

I totally misread your post. not caffeinated enough.
I can only add my RTA1258 is just 4" inches wider than track on either side and its perfect.