10' mower on 60 hp JD 4520?

[radman1]

I have a an old, 3pt 6' rhino mower on my JD 4520. I would like to use this kind of mower:John Deere HX10 10' pull type mower

Will it work? JD 4520 handles 6' with no problems. Mostly cutting mild to moderately heavy grass. I would prefer 3pt, but no way to lift a 10' mower with 4520. I have a 15' batwing on a much bigger tractor (125hp) but want my boys to start mowing and don't want then on something that big.

 

[AKfish]

I'd guess if you can stay with only mowing 6"-8" tall material you'd be OK. When you get into the 12"-18" tall stuff - you might find the back end of your 4520 - with that "wobbly-shakin" motion as the engine bogs and the mower blades lose centrifical force.

You'll be stoppin' and waitin' for the tractor and mower to "spin up" again - IMO.

That's a heck of a price and it looks to be in very good condition, too! Hard to back away from a deal like that...

But, if the mower was an 8' pull-type; well, you wouldn't be askin' - you'd already be loadin' the trailer!

AKfish

 

[trook]

I believe the specs only require a minimum of 40hp at the pto. I would think you should be fine.

 

[radman1]

I am hoping my 50 pto hp will be enough. JD literature recommends 50 hp min for pull type and 80 hp for 3 pt. Not sure why the difference. On the literature for my 15' batwing, minimum hp is 55 hp. Makes no sense to me why only 5 more hp for 15' batwing.

My prior JD 5300 had 50 pto hp and ran an 8' 3pt just fine in most conditions.

 

[jenkinsph]

The difference between the 3pt and pull type specs is the size tractor needed to lift the mower. I would think the 4520 will handle it if your ground speed is matched to the job. However fast you wind up pulling it you will be able to use the full potential of the tractor, so it should be as efficient a way to mow as you can get.

If I were buying without getting a special deal I would consider the MX8 pull type, for my uses the MX6 is the easiest to transport on my trailer.

 

[aczlan]

I am hoping my 50 pto hp will be enough. JD literature recommends 50 hp min for pull type and 80 hp for 3 pt. Not sure why the difference.

Probbaly because you would need a heavier tractor to control a 3 point mower. It will tend to make the nose light when lifted.

Aaron Z

 

[radman1]

If I were buying without getting a special deal I would consider the MX8 pull type, for my uses the MX6 is the easiest to transport on my trailer.

If I did buy the 10', not even sure how to get it home. Load it sideways on trailer and remove hitch or load it normally and let it hang over the sides?

 

[Diamondpilot]

If I did buy the 10', not even sure how to get it home. Load it sideways on trailer and remove hitch or load it normally and let it hang over the sides?

If you do not have to transport it far I would take the tractor to get it. If you need to go far put it on the trailer like you said but it will take 2 tractors with loaders to get it on and off the trailer. We have loaded them like that and simply lift it and back the trailer under it then lower it down.

If you have to go just 30 or 50 miles or so it may be easier to allow a roll back wrecker do the work. I could get it moved in my area for $75 to $100.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

If I did buy the 10', not even sure how to get it home. Load it sideways on trailer and remove hitch or load it normally and let it hang over the sides?

Do you have farm plates?

How old are the boys that you don't want them to run the larger tractor?

 

[radman1]

If you do not have to transport it far I would take the tractor to get it. If you need to go far put it on the trailer like you said but it will take 2 tractors with loaders to get it on and off the trailer. We have loaded them like that and simply lift it and back the trailer under it then lower it down.

If you have to go just 30 or 50 miles or so it may be easier to allow a roll back wrecker do the work. I could get it moved in my area for $75 to $100.

Chris

The mower is only a few miles away. However, it needs to go to the farm which is 90 miles away. I have a deck over trailer. Let it hang over the sides and take my chances? "But officier, it only hangs over 8-10" on each side."

 

[radman1]

Do you have farm plates?

How old are the boys that you don't want them to run the larger tractor?

I have farm plates. Boys are 12 and 13. They have been riding atvs for years. Started driving 4520 and Toolcat more consistently this year.
I started driving a Ford 8N when I was 5-6 and getting the milk cows. No brakes on the 8N drop the rear blade or turn off the switch if had to stop going down hills. My dad use to bolt an extension to some of the clutch on some tractors so I could push the clutch in. Even then I had to pull up on the steering wheel to add weigh just to push the clutch down. I use to drive the pickup looking under the top rim of the steering wheel to just see over the dash.

I don't have the courage to turn them loose on a 2 year old, $90,000 tractor and $14,000 batwing.

 

[aczlan]

If you have a deckover and a tractor w/loader, back the mower on, then use the bucket to swing it sideways (via a hitch on the bucket or a chain). You should then be able to pull the PTO shaft and pull a couple of bolts to pivot the hitch to a vertical position

See http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMW45017_19/?tM= for hitch installation directions.

Aaron Z

 

[Duffster]

I have farm plates. Boys are 12 and 13. They have been riding atvs for years. Started driving 4520 and Toolcat more consistently this year.
I started driving a Ford 8N when I was 5-6 and getting the milk cows. No brakes on the 8N drop the rear blade or turn off the switch if had to stop going down hills. My dad use to bolt an extension to some of the clutch on some tractors so I could push the clutch in. Even then I had to pull up on the steering wheel to add weigh just to push the clutch down. I use to drive the pickup looking under the top rim of the steering wheel to just see over the dash.

I don't have the courage to turn them loose on a 2 year old, $90,000 tractor and $14,000 batwing.

Well with the farm plates you can run as wide as you like.

I can understand your concern with that age of boys.

 

[TripleR]

Last year we bought a Woods DS1260, which is a 10'6" mower much like the one shown. The dealer is sixty miles away and they delivered it by pulling it behind a service truck. We also have a Woods 121 3-point 10' mower and much prefer the pull type as it is more stable on slopes. We use a 72 and 80 HP tractor, but specs indicate it will work with a 50 HP. I would jump all over that thing.

 

[radman1]

If you have a deckover and a tractor w/loader, back the mower on, then use the bucket to swing it sideways (via a hitch on the bucket or a chain). You should then be able to pull the PTO shaft and pull a couple of bolts to pivot the hitch to a vertical position

See http://manuals.deere.com/omview/OMW45017_19/?tM= for hitch installation directions.

Aaron Z

Had not thought of that. It may just work.

 

[radman1]

Well with the farm plates you can run as wide as you like..

Is that true? Never heard of that. I will admit, the DOT tends to sometimes look the other way with farmers-unless your using a semi/trailer to haul grain or overloaded.

 

[aczlan]

Had not thought of that. It may just work.

If your tractor has a loader, it might also be possible to mount a set of 4x6es as "side ramps" and pull the mower up sideways. See the attached drawing for details.


Aaron Z

 

[radman1]

Well, bought the mower for $4,500. It was a '07. Will pick it up next week. Will report back. Mower seems big sitting in his shed. That would be one big, heavy mower for a 3 pt. I can see why they recommend 80 hp for 3 pt version. Mower was in real good shape with a little surface rust in some areas. I will remove rust and touch it up with rattle can. Has the ungraded air tires which I prefer for road travel.

 

[jenkinsph]

Good deal:thumbsup: Here's hoping those boys don't wrap it around a tree or gate post.

 

[aczlan]

Sounds like a great deal. Make you get a chance to play with it (I mean work very hard with it) first.

Aaron Z