How much HP

[OrangeToys]

I am running a MX5100 and a 6ft brush hog. Can I run a 8-10ft or do I should I up grade. I run commercially, when I first bought the MX I was doing mainly small properties but as of late I seem to be getting more of the bigger ones.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I am running a MX5100 and a 6ft brush hog. Can I run a 8-10ft or do I should I up grade. I run commercially, when I first bought the MX I was doing mainly small properties but as of late I seem to be getting more of the bigger ones.

You talking 3pt or a pull-type?

 

[big bubba]

if you will be mowing a wide range of properties, my guess is that a 3 pt lift would be more versatile esp on ground you don't know... if that's the route you go, and really want to mow commercially in a serious way, i'd consider M series. however imho it would take a long time to recoup the upgrade cost. good luck

 

[Citydude]

You could easily go up to an 8 foot based on your PTO horsepower.

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[big bubba]

You could easily go up to an 8 foot based on your PTO horsepower.

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an 8' mower would be a good choice (3 pt). mine works great w/my tractor set up. but at 2000# i sure wouldn't want to run it on an MX series esp on slopes or tall grass. had a mx5000 myself, great tractor but way too light on it's feet for an 8' hog...unless it's a finish mower, which would not be recommended for commercial work. imho btw, your tractor manual will list implement limitations (wt/hp) for each model. you are talking a big investment for a mower & tractor upgrade merely for commercial work...i'd think that one through

 

[RedNeckRacin]

general rule is 5hp/ft of cutter width. I will say that I pull a 10' 3pt mount MX 10 behind my 5083E with 70 ptohp and it will work that tractor if I get in stuff as tall as the front tires.

 

[HEC]

an 8' mower would be a good choice (3 pt). mine works great w/my tractor set up. but at 2000# i sure wouldn't want to run it on an MX series esp on slopes or tall grass. had a mx5000 myself, great tractor but way too light for an 8' hog...unless it's a finish mower, which would not be recommended for commercial work. imho btw, your tractor manual will list implement limitations (wt/hp) for each model. you are talking a big investment for a mower & tractor upgrade merely for commercial work...i'd think that one through

I agree with Bubba , I have a M5700 with a 6 ft. heavy duty bush hog and even with that I will have to slow down quite a bit when going up an incline cutting heavy tall hay . Mine could handle a 7 ft. 3 pt. but no more for what I do , and I only cut fields .

 

[OrangeToys]

if you will be mowing a wide range of properties, my guess is that a 3 pt lift would be more versatile esp on ground you don't know... if that's the route you go, and really want to mow commercially in a serious way, i'd consider M series. however imho it would take a long time to recoup the upgrade cost. good luck

Yes I mow a wide range of stuff, Im looking at a 60-7060 and I would keep my 6ft for just in case

 

[big bubba]

good choice. when i purchased 7 yrs ago, the price difference between the 7040 & 8540 was not that great. went with the ladder, a lot more tractor. not sure how that plays out now. definitely would get the rear tires loaded, at least 2 remotes, maybe 3, and the heavy duty trans. if offered on that model. to me, a hyd top link would also be a must. ....if you go with an M series, you're really going to see a difference over your MX, that said, the MX series is an excellent one serving many needs. best regards
footnote: i don't subscribe to the old rule of 5 pto hp per foot of rotary cutter, esp in a commercial application as yours...to me, 8 hp would be more accurate. in the field your knives will dull, there will be tall growth, & you will want to maintain speed to make money if mowing is your business. the 5 hp rule just won't hack it. but that's just my bias

 

[MHarryE]

It really depends on your work. You can always use a larger one and drive slower. I find my 6' well suited for my L5740 which has more PTO HP than your tractor, and I kill mine at times; however, I use it mostly for tough stuff. I mow the buffer strips along the edges of our fields where they meet creeks and rivers and control brush growing in waterways so sometimes I am near the posted limit 3" diameter brush. Mowing overgrown small fields we no longer farm so I can keep their weeds from spreading - I can really make time but I needed to size for the tough jobs.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

That 5hp per foot is a good minimum for real brush hogging. These guys with a bx mowing the yard don't grasp that. I have about 7 per ft and there are times I'd like a couple more.

 

[motownbrowne]

If you're looking to run a 8-10' rotary cutter, why not buy some old iron to power it? Something like an IH 866, JD 4020, etc. It'll take a long time to pay off a nice new Kubota mowing fields, not so long with an old work horse. Also, since you'll still have the MX for backup, a 2wd isn't really a setback. Mowing shouldn't be a muddy activity, but if it's wet out, use the 4wd and keep the big iron parked until it dries up.

 

[OrangeToys]

If you're looking to run a 8-10' rotary cutter, why not buy some old iron to power it? Something like an IH 866, JD 4020, etc. It'll take a long time to pay off a nice new Kubota mowing fields, not so long with an old work horse. Also, since you'll still have the MX for backup, a 2wd isn't really a setback. Mowing shouldn't be a muddy activity, but if it's wet out, use the 4wd and keep the big iron parked until it dries up.

I need the larger loader too. The Mx doesn't have enough weight in the shorts either for me. Still love the tractor but just need a bigger one

 

[GManBart]

I am running a MX5100 and a 6ft brush hog. Can I run a 8-10ft or do I should I up grade. I run commercially, when I first bought the MX I was doing mainly small properties but as of late I seem to be getting more of the bigger ones.

You have enough PTO horsepower to run an 8 footer, but that's probably stretching it a bit. The big thing would be the weight and size of the unit. Even a 7' model gets pretty long, and that puts a lot of weight pretty far back.

Are you mostly cutting fields with grass/weeds/saplings, or heavier stuff? If it's mostly field work, you might consider a flail mower in the 7-8ft range, and keep your 6' hog for heavier stuff....that would let you cover bigger areas quicker, and still have the ability to clear heavy stuff. Even though a 7-8ft flail is pretty heavy, it's a lot closer to the machine, so it won't be nearly the strain as a 7-8' rotary cutter would be.

 

[ovrszd]

I run a 10' mounted on my M9540 with 1100lb of weights on the front and remove the FEL. It runs the cutter well, carries it okay.

Also, funny thing, an 8ft 3pt is as easy to carry as a 7ft 3pt. The 7ft single spool is quite a bit longer than the 8ft double spool.

 

[motownbrowne]

I need the larger loader too. The Mx doesn't have enough weight in the shorts either for me. Still love the tractor but just need a bigger one

Makes sense. Sounds like a new rig is in order. Enjoy it!

 

[foreman Etexas]

my 7040 with the 8ft LP(RCR3596) covered tracks,pulled no problem.
sold the 8ft and went to 15ft LP,no regrets I think does a good job pulling it. I did just get a sweet deal on a TL100 and that is going to do the shredding and baling. I will still use one of the 7040's to pull the 12ft if need get something done and knock out quick on some my lease places. Well I may put the 12ft straight deck on the TL100 cause it seems like harder to pull than the 15ft batwing.

 

[OrangeToys]

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-buying-pricing/427340-how-much-hp-image-jpg"/> my 7040 with the 8ft LP(RCR3596) covered tracks,pulled no problem.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-buying-pricing/427347-how-much-hp-image-jpg"/> sold the 8ft and went to 15ft LP,no regrets I think does a good job pulling it. I did just get a sweet deal on a TL100 and that is going to do the shredding and baling. I will still use one of the 7040's to pull the 12ft if need get something done and knock out quick on some my lease places. Well I may put the 12ft straight deck on the TL100 cause it seems like harder to pull than the 15ft batwing. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-buying-pricing/427354-how-much-hp-image-jpg"/>

I'll be keeping my 6ft just incase I have some larger material to cut. The new 12ft I'm looking at is only rated for 1.5"

 

[foreman Etexas]

I'll be keeping my 6ft just incase I have some larger material to cut. The new 12ft I'm looking at is only rated for 1.5"

Yeah I noticed that all the 12ft batwings had the 1.5" rating. What trailer do you have? That 7060 and 12ft shredder is probably going to require at minimum 25ft-14k and it barely fit,a 28ft would be better. I tow my 15ft batwing by the receiver hitch on my 25ft trailer,the tractor with 8ft would fit and ramps would rest on the rear tires of mower and have to strap them down. I use a 1ton dully so weight on front of trailer wasn't a big deal for me and backing on would leave my tractor to low on dovetail. I at first backed shredder on and unhooked(used loader to lay tongue on deck not let ride on jack) then drove tractor on trailer and it was loaded better on trailer but sucked having to unhook and hook it all back up. I am looking to get a 32ft-20k trailer next,I wish I had atleast got a 28ft if not a 30ft-14k the first time would have worked better until got to where I am now.