L2501 and rotary cutter confusion.

ChemE · Oct 8, 2015

To all: Looking to buy a L2501 (HST 4wd) with front loader and have an existing Land Pride 2660 rotary cutter. I would like to use the rotary cutter I have on this tractor instead of spending $ on a different cutter. All the specs I read show this cutter to need above 40 hp., what says the group? I am very inexperienced in tractors, h.p. and attachments. The 1260 is listed as okay for this tractor, but they are the same size? I know the 2660 is over 1000 lbs., but the 3 pt. on the L2501 looks like it can handle it?

For the background: We have 312 acres, mostly wooded, but maybe 40 acres open (3 different fields). The open land gets hayed by a neighbor (big JD tractors) once per year. I am maintaining the perimeters, woods trails, and trying to take back a couple small overgrown areas (less than 6 acres). These 6 acres are not significant enough to be added to the hayed areas. I do not mind cutting slower!!

Thanks everyone.

ChemE

tractorworks · Oct 8, 2015

I'd go for it. Recommended horse power is 40-100 but it is also cat 1 and 2. It will be heavy and maybe the tail wagging the dog without a loader on. But for your use I would think you'll be fine. You will appreciate the extra weight reclaiming overgrown areas and be hard pressed to wear it out. Worst case is down the road convincing someone you need to trade for a lighter cutter (your loss/their gain).

motownbrowne · Oct 8, 2015

Personally, I think you'll be just fine. If your tractor is heavy enough to use it (you can always add weight) and if you can lift it, you should be fine. Like you say, you might just have to slow down.

jeff9366 · Oct 8, 2015

Much of the weight of the LP2660 will be borne by the tail wheel.

You may, or may not have to cut a swath slightly narrower than 60".

LD1 · Oct 8, 2015

You will be fine. My tractor is nearly identical lift and weight specs, just a little more power. I have no issues with a 1100# 6' cutter. The 2660 is lighter and closer. But as others said, you may need to keep the loader on or add front weight.

LD1 · Oct 8, 2015

jeff9366 said:
Much of the weight of the LP2660 will be borne by the tail wheel.

You may, or may not have to cut a swath slightly narrower than 60".

With a HST he can go infinitely slow and take the whole bite

Navasot · Oct 9, 2015

well kept stuff youll be fine.. it wont like the heavy grass though

Fallon · Oct 11, 2015

I have a 60" LandPride rotary cutter (don't know the model offhand although I think its a light weight model and yours is a medium) behind my L3200 (well, mostly use a flail now, but still have the rotary). Our tractors are almost identical except for I have 7 more HP.

I only occasionally get bogged down on mine cutting tall field grass. The HST makes it trivial to push the tractor to the max all the time & not stall it. That will make up for the lack of HP if you have the patients to go slower.

I have no problems lifting mine or any light steering when its lifted. I've never bothered to take my loader (front ballast) off though. I do drop the bucket when mowing sometimes.

I'm sure you can spin the mower fine, but your lack of HP would be annoyingly slow for me personally, but not to bad. The only question would be can you lift it easily & if you can, will it still maneuver properly. The answer is likely yes, but I'd try it out first before pulling the trigger.

ChemE · Oct 12, 2015

It looks like the cutting capacity is 3" for the 2660 and 1.5" for the 1260, so I'm assuming if I only drive through the smaller rated brush the tractor will be fine. Plus as others have mentioned I can always go slower. Once the brushy stuff is cut it will be back in fescue grass and even with that I don't mind if it is cut higher.

I used that same cutter with a neighbors old 22 h.p. International Harvester and it spun it fine in fescue.

Thanks to all who have responded. I don't really have a way to try it out before I buy the tractor, worse case would be that I need to buy another cutter and sell the one I have.