Should I even consider a 7' cutter?

dntfxr · Sep 29, 2015

Hi folks, I know this subject is brought up fairly often but should I consider a 7' cutter for my xr4155c? The rears are loaded also. I'm thinking it will be a bit much but my dealer has offered me a good deal. Any replies are much appreciated!

dntfxr · Sep 29, 2015

Well I guess it was a dumb question, I'll take that as a yes it's too big lol...
Maybe I'll save my pennies for a dual spindle 8'er.

Oldgreybear · Sep 29, 2015

We pulled an 8' with a 45 hp john deere for years. No problems at all.

LD1 · Sep 29, 2015

IMO, I'd skip the 7 and get a twin spindle 8'.

While I have not ran either, those that have claim the 8' takes less HP to run.

To me, I cannot see any benefit of the 7' cutter. Claimes to take more HP for a smaller cut, sticks back really far so is not as maneuverable, and probably dont cut as even on rolling ground, and requires a heavier tractor and/or more weight up front than a twin 8.

Only thing I see a 7' useful for is a nice counter ballast for the FEL.

Now dont get me wrong, 7' cutters are fine. Just given the choice, I see a twin 8' offering so much more.

smstonypoint · Sep 29, 2015

Just curious. How many acres are you mowing and how often?

Steve

Rustyiron · Sep 29, 2015

Oldgreybear said:
We pulled an 8' with a 45 hp john deere for years. No problems at all.

I'll raise (or lower) your 45 hp with 36hp with an 8' (pull type). Just a little slower.
dntfxr, I think you'll be fine.

vsteel · Sep 29, 2015

I run 5' with 18hp (PTO). No issues, just if things get really thick I need to slow down some. I am OK with that though.

Poopdeck Pappy · Sep 29, 2015

As LD1 mentioned, the problem with a 7' brush hog on a tractor your size isn't only the HP necessary to spin it, it's the weight of that big long beast hanging way back there behind your tractor. Think about the fulcrum effect on a tractor your size.

While your tractor MIGHT have enough HP to spin it (and I'm doubtful about that in anything you would need a brush hog for), that big beast will be the tail wagging the dog and your tractor will seem like a very small dog with a very large tail.

blueriver · Sep 29, 2015

Oldgreybear said:
We pulled an 8' with a 45 hp john deere for years. No problems at all.

Really ... put that cutter in some true 18-24" heavy bahia and see how that works.

dntfxr · Sep 29, 2015

Thanks for the input folks, I figured the weight so far back would be the main issue. My place is mostly flat though and I kinda got to thinking if I set it so the tailwheel stays on the ground it might not be too bad. Main reason I'm considering the 7' is my local dealer has one in stock that he offered me for not much more than a HD 6'er. I've got 42 acres of which about 20 will be mowed probably twice a year. Part of that is trails and woods, small brush sometimes depending on how long I let it go. I do have an old 6'er, about 35yrs old, but I'd like to at least get something newer. I'm still open to suggestions, not sure what to do..

LD1 · Sep 29, 2015

blueriver said:
Really ... put that cutter in some true 18-24" heavy bahia and see how that works.

I think my tractor with 29hp at the pto would also do fine in that with an 8' cutter.

Everyone seems to think you have to run 4-6mph wile cutting and if you can't you are under powered.

I have a 6' cutter and have cut everything imaginable. Slowest I've ever had to go is 3rd gear (3mph). An 8' cutter in the next gear down would power it just about the same

brown40 · Sep 30, 2015

I've got 30hp at the PTO, and I could see going from my 5' to a 6 footer, but 7 or 8 would be wagging my dog unless it was hitch mounted. Even if I could power it properly, it'd be manhandling me every time I raised it. Your manual should have ballast codes and an upper weight limit for implements listed. I'd refer to those and try and get your expectations matched up with the manufacturers.

LD1 · Sep 30, 2015

All depends on the cutter.

I currently run a 1100# 6' cutter.

A medium duty 8' twin is ~150# more, but 2' shorter. I think the lighter but longer HD 6' cutter would be more likely to wag the dog

Soundguy · Sep 30, 2015

dntfxr said:
Well I guess it was a dumb question, I'll take that as a yes it's too big lol...
Maybe I'll save my pennies for a dual spindle 8'er.

most of the time, a dual spindle 8 weighs less and is easier to pull than a huge 7'

dntfxr · Sep 30, 2015

The tractors lift is rated at 2750lbs on the ends. I'd really like to have the dual 8' but it's going to be 1000$ more than the 7. There is a weight difference, (1200 for the 7, 1350 for the 8) though obviously the 7 will feel much bigger sticking way out there. The 7 is rated for 50hp min, the 8 at 45hp min and my tractor comes in at 47.3 at the pto. They also both have dual tailwheels. I would basically use the 7er as a pull type though without lifting it very often, and by the same token if I have really heavy stuff to mow I do still have my old 6'er...
Then again I may just wait till he gets some heavy 6'er in.

Soundguy · Sep 30, 2015

remember.. an 8' dual spindle only sticks out a max of 4' plus tail wheel.. the 7' sticks out 7' plus tail wheel. that 150# extra is nothing compaired to the leverage that nearly twice as long mower will have. ( unless it is also a dual spindle mower of some sort. ) that weight seems low in comparison to the 8'..

dusty3030 · Sep 30, 2015

I had a 7' (John Deere 709) I ran with a John Deere 2355 (55 pto hp).
I now run a 6' (John Deere MX6) behind a John Deere 4120 (35 pto hp)

Cutting the same pastures the same way I would bog down and have to stop and let the cutter wind back up all the time with the 7' and 20 more HP. I rarely ever bog the 6' and the smaller tractor.

dntfxr · Sep 30, 2015

Thanks guys, I have pretty well eliminated the 7'er from consideration. The cheap price I was offered was the main reason I was interested but you all have confirmed what I thought to begin with. In the meantime my dealer has located some heavy duty 6'ers and he has an 8' dual spindle that I still may go with. The 6'HD model is available with one or two tailwheels, not sure why I'd need two on a 6'er but are there any advantages with 2? Only thing I can think of is 2 would give a little less clearance when turning??
Oh and BTW I saw a single spindle 8'er, I didn't know such a beast existed! I don't know if even the old 4020 would handle that thing...

RedNeckRacin · Sep 30, 2015

LD1 said:
I think my tractor with 29hp at the pto would also do fine in that with an 8' cutter.

Everyone seems to think you have to run 4-6mph wile cutting and if you can't you are under powered.

I have a 6' cutter and have cut everything imaginable. Slowest I've ever had to go is 3rd gear (3mph). An 8' cutter in the next gear down would power it just about the same

I think that 29 hp at the pto to run an 8 foot cutter is a pretty bold claim. There is a serious difference between spinning the blades and actually being productive using a cutter to its potential. I agree that mowing at half the speed with double the size cutter is still technically covering the same acreage but if you constantly have to gear down then you should have gotten a smaller cutter. I currently have 69 pto hp on an Mx10 cutter and rarely do I ever even use the e pto option because I need more hp. Even when clipping pastures the slopes don't make it feasible. When I get into cutting vegetation over the height of the front tires, I'd kill for another 20 hp on the pto and I'm well over the recommendation of 5hp/ft rule of thumb.