Medium duty cutter on an LX2610SU?

[PaulL]

Thanks. It does seem like I’m going to need to do something to keep weight on the front based on the comments here. Either the loader or weights?

Loader is easy. Weights are better, but cost money and are a bit of a hassle. I find that when I mow with my loader on I have to be really careful - you are focused on the mower behind you and can accidentally swing your bucket into things. Anything your tractor touches is immediately broken, so I find myself fixing things around my house if I mow with the loader on. Of course, out in a field is quite different. Taking the bucket off helps, but the loader plate still sticks out a bit.

Personally, I'd just mow with the loader on and see how you go. Easy to add weights later if you decide the loader's a problem.

 

[TomRC]

The issue I ran into with my B2601 and the 5 foot FDR1660 finish mower is she struggled going up slopes with the loader on. She's make it up the slopes in low gear no problem but then it took a lot longer to mow the 4 to 5 acres I'm cutting weekly. Took the loader off and then the little B2601 came to life and I could mow up the slopes in medium gear and at a pretty decent speed. I much much prefer mowing with the loader off but In my case I just have to be careful as there are a number of spots where I have to lift the FDR166O on a slope. The front end will come off the ground if you aren't paying close attention to what you are doing if in a less than ideal spot. I had not had ANY of these types of issue with the loader on but it happened the first time I mowed with the loader off and lets just say it got my attention!

 

[SDT]

The three point lift capacity was actually one of the reasons I chose the LX. I was surprised to learn the LX capacity at 24 inches is 1676lbs where the L25 is 1389lbs. L33-47 is 1433lbs. I couldn’t believe the LX had a higher 3 point lift capacity than even the L47.

Lift capacity is not the limiting factor.

Strength of mounting structures of lower lift arms is.

SDT

 

[Elliott in GA]

Lift capacity is not the limiting factor.

Strength of mounting structures of lower lift arms is.

SDT

FWIW, the RCR 1860 mower weighs 599 lbs., and the FDR 1660 mower weighs 577 lbs. According to Kubota/Land Pride, the FDR 1660 is recommended for the LX. The mower lengths are: RDR 1860 99 inches (includes the tail wheel) and FDR 1660 67 inches. It would appear that they exert about the same amount of force on the 3 pt. system.

 

[SDT]

FWIW, the RCR 1860 mower weighs 599 lbs., and the FDR 1660 mower weighs 577 lbs. According to Kubota/Land Pride, the FDR 1660 is recommended for the LX. The mower lengths are: RDR 1860 99 inches (includes the tail wheel) and FDR 1660 67 inches. It would appear that they exert about the same amount of force on the 3 pt. system.

The Operators manual for B2650/LX2610 recommends nothing larger than a 4' rotary cutter and nothing more than 500 Lbs. for such.

Because the Operator's Manual is not marketing information, I will consider it authoritative.

Others should do as they like.

SDT

 

[mcmxi]

I don't have much to add other than give a shout out to Land Pride cutters. I continue to be impressed by the RCR1884 I bought a few months ago. At 900lb it's a beast and arguably the most used implement I own. I bought mine for much the same reason that @jimh406 bought his i.e. to cut pastures that are hilly and bumpy ... and also cut friend's fields it seems. What surprised me is how decent a finish these rotary cutters produce when used as rugged lawn mowers. I could have cut the field shown below a lot lower but it was my first time there so was playing it safe.

I do wish that the grease fittings were easier to access and that removing/installing blades was easier but neither are deal breakers.

I have the loader and bucket on my MX when mowing (about 1,800lb) and balance has not been an issue at all. One thing I've noticed though is that I'm not sure I could get on/off my trailer with the cutter hooked up if I didn't have top-n-tilt.

 

[davep]

thanks for all the info everyone.

@mcmxi Wow! That is some beautiful property with a great view!

 

[mcmxi]

thanks for all the info everyone.

@mcmxi Wow! That is some beautiful property with a great view!

Yes, my friend is very fortunate being on the Flathead River. I'm cutting about 8 of his acres (going back on Saturday) and I think he has 20 overall. There's a 1 acre lot for sale with its own dock next to the house in the third photo if you're interested.

He took me up in his plane for 2-1/2 hours a couple of weeks ago and then fishing on the river the following evening after making me dinner. I told him "you sure know how to show a guy a good time!" We laughed quite a bit over that. I'm not much of a fisherman but caught three Crappies and it was gorgeous sunset as we headed back to his house.

The flying and fishing are all directly related to me buying the MX and RCR1884. Who would have thought.

 

[Goz63]

This my pasture after a round with the RCR1860. I will second the endorsement of LP rotary cutters. At least the 18 series. Very happy with it.

 

[mcmxi]

View attachment 63502 This my pasture after a round with the RCR1860. I will second the endorsement of LP rotary cutters. At least the 18 series. Very happy with it.

I would love to have a pasture as nice as that! That LP sure does a great job! I bet your 1860 would take those trees down if you wanted!

 

[davep]

Wow! That pasture looks like it was cut with a finish mower. Looks fantastic!

 

[NHSleddog]

This is helpful. I hadn’t thought of keeping the FEL on while mowing. Do you also keep the bucket on it?

I run a 5tf brush hog with my B2650 without issue in all kinds of terrain.

I end up in a lot of "first cut" scenarios and I ALWAYS keep my FEL on. I also keep it low (6-12in or less off the ground) and curled up. This method will find all the nasties for you before the mower does and if you keep it curled up, you will not dead stop/crash into anything but ride up on it. If you are cutting golf courses, it doesn't matter, if you are cutting random fields it will save you over and over. The bucket also allows you to move stuff (fallen trees, rocks etc.).

For me the inconvenience of maneuvering never exceeded the utility/weight of the FEL.

 

[davep]

I run a 5tf brush hog with my B2650 without issue in all kinds of terrain.

I end up in a lot of "first cut" scenarios and I ALWAYS keep my FEL on. I also keep it low (6-12in or less off the ground) and curled up. This method will find all the nasties for you before the mower does and if you keep it curled up, you will not dead stop/crash into anything but ride up on it. If you are cutting golf courses, it doesn't matter, if you are cutting random fields it will save you over and over. The bucket also allows you to move stuff (fallen trees, rocks etc.).

For me the inconvenience of maneuvering never exceeded the utility/weight of the FEL.

That's a good idea!

 

[mcmxi]

Here's some of my field that I stated to cut the other evening. I'll get back on it this weekend but sure wish I had the cabbed tractor already ... for the dust and the smoke ... and the heat!