M5640SU with 12' flex wing mower

[railfan]

I am considering purchasing a used M5640SU (2WD) tractor and was wondering if anyone had experience using it with a 12' flex wing mower. I have ~70 acres to mow, mostly flat but a few small hills at one end, and would appreciate any thoughts on how that tractor would do.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[RedNeckRacin]

How often are you planing on mowing? I pull a 10' full mount brush hog with my 5083e (69pto hp) and there are times when the weeds are tall that I wish I had some more horsepower. If you are just clipping pasture, you might be ok.

 

[big bubba]

if you already have the bh model in mind, look @ the min pto hp required...then maybe add 5 hp for tough conditions. my guess is that the 5640 would be borderline if not somewhat underpowered. keeping the bh knives sharp really helps good luck

 

[TripleR]

What they said, I'd personally prefer a minimum of a 7060 or equivalent.

 

[C4Ranch]

Woods has a 12' wing that has a MIN PTO HP rating of 35

 

[railfan]

How often are you planing on mowing? I pull a 10' full mount brush hog with my 5B083e (69pto hp) and there are times when the weeds are tall that I wish I had some more horsepower. If you are just clipping pasture, you might be ok.

I figure I'll have to mow a few times a season. My goal is to keep things under control so they don't grow too tall. In most normal years here in Colorado, a few times a season should be enough. Currently, with my 4' brush hog and a JD2305, I can get through everything, but just can't keep up (doesn't help we've had higher than normal rains this year either).

 

[railfan]

if you already have the bh model in mind, look @ the min pto hp required...then maybe add 5 hp for tough conditions. my guess is that the 5640 would be borderline if not somewhat underpowered. keeping the bh knives sharp really helps good luck

I was looking at the Rhino TS-12. It claims a minimum 35HP, but I'm not sure if I should believe that, or under what conditions that is spec'd. Fundamentally, cutting a 12' wide swath of the same plants, should require some similar amount of HP, it seems.

 

[big bubba]

may also keep in mind your speed...might get away with the min pto hp but 70 acres is quite a bit...would be nice to have a machine that has the power to keep up a decent rate of mowing rather than slogging through that amount of acreage with borderline pto hp. finding a good quality used 7040 or 8540 may be worth considering.

 

[C4Ranch]

That tractor has 50 pto hp. Woods 12' requires 35hp min. You're 15hp over min or 43% more than min req. not sure why folks don't think that'll work just fine...

 

[big bubba]

That tractor has 50 pto hp. Woods 12' requires 35hp min. You're 15hp over min or 43% more than min req. not sure why folks don't think that'll work just fine...

well you could be right. you might consider putting this thread in the attachments forum and see what the general consensus is in running this model bat or flex wing with various tractor pto hp. be sure to get enough remotes as well! & load the rears.... btw is your proposed mower considered finish or medium/heavy duty? that can make a big difference in min pto hp best of luck! a tractor purchase is always a big decision.