7' or 8' Implements for 50hp

[blb078]

Currently have an LS 4150HC, I'm going back/forth as to what size implements I should be getting. I've read some threads where people with 45-50hp tractors are using 8' for certain implements and some using 7' and even some using 6'. Below is what I plan on getting over the next few months

box blade
landscape rake
rotary cutter
finish mower (may do just flail mower instead of these 2 though)
tiller

just would like some advice or pros/cons of going with 7 vs 8 or 8 vs 7 footers. Thanks

Brian

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Currently have an LS 4150HC, I'm going back/forth as to what size implements I should be getting. I've read some threads where people with 45-50hp tractors are using 8' for certain implements and some using 7' and even some using 6'. Below is what I plan on getting over the next few months

box blade light duty 700-800lbs or heavy duty 1000-1400lbs? can't recommend width with out knowing.

landscape rake 8 foot heavy duty from ETA would be the best way to go with this.

rotary cutter either a 6 foot or an 8 foot twin spindle, forget about a 7 footer

finish mower (may do just flail mower instead of these 2 though) 8 foot if not bigger?

tiller 7 footer

just would like some advice or pros/cons of going with 7 vs 8 or 8 vs 7 footers. Thanks

Just what I would consider, others will vary.

Brian

PS, your looking at $10K-$15K in implements if you get good ones.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I agree with Brian on all those he mentioned.

I've got a Kioti 50hp (37 PTO HP). I use a 6' Rhino rotary cutter and it's an excellent cutter and is well matched to the tractor, but I would pick an 8' twin spindle if I had to do it over again just for the extra width.

I have an 8' landscape rake, and the tractor doesn't even know it's back there.

Conversely, I have a 6' Gannon box blade that weighs about 1,100 pounds and, trust me, the tractor definitely knows when that one is back there. It can stop the tractor dead in it's tracks if I load it up too much.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A 50hp tractor with only 37 at the PTO??

WOW, that's a huge loss between the engine and the PTO on such a small tractor!

SR

 

[blb078]

Thanks for the info. Anyone have any recommendations/links on brands? I know it's going to cost a decent amount but I have a buy once cry once mentality.
As for the box blade haven't really thought about light or heavy duty. More than likely a light duty but not opposed to heavy duty.

 

[Fallon]

Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer is a sponsor of this board, makes good stuff with a good reputation & has great videos on their site about each implement & how they are used.

 

[Turbys_1700]

All major brands like Woods, Bush Hog, Land Pride, etc...offer light, medium, and heavy duty units. You can save some $$$ if want to go with smaller regional manufacturers. I don't know if your tractor has the rears loaded or not. That will determine how well it would handle a heavier vs lighter implements. Your gonna find the price difference between an 8' twin spindle cutter to be much higher than a 6' cutter. If I read the specs correctly you should be able to swing an 8' cutter but may need to adjust your speed according to cutting conditions. Everything Attachments is a sponsor here and they have a built a loyal following. They built good implements and offer great service.

 

[LD1]

Boxblade......agree with brian here. You want light or heavy. and whats your track width.....I'd want one just a tad bit wider than the tractor.

Rotary cutter.....You can handle an 8' twin. But there is a significant price jump between that and a 6'. New prices, an 8' twin can easily push north of 5k for a good one. Where as a good 6' cutter is about half that. So I would first question just what it is you have to mow. Maintaining edges of fields and trails in the woods, a 6' would be all you need. Clipping a 20+ acre pasture several times a year, or mowing several hundred acres per year for hire....the 8' twin is gonna be better.

Finish mower The bigger the better.

Tiller Same logic as box blade. Get one to at lest cover your tracks. 7' should do it unless you have the tires set unusually wide.

Landscape rake These pull easy. So the width, IMO, should be based on your intended use and not the fact that you have a 50hp tractor. IF you are using the rake in wide open areas, leveling dirt, bushing leaves, sticks, rocks.....heck you would have no issues with a 10'. But if using it for driveway or trail maintenance, there is such a thing as too big. You dont want to be snagging trees, or having to make your driveway twice as wide.

 

[blb078]

Why not a 7' rotary cutter? What's the downfall of using one over a 6'? Tires are not loaded.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Why not a 7' rotary cutter? What's the downfall of using one over a 6'? Tires are not loaded.

Total length behind the tractor may become an issue. If you are only in wide open space, shouldn't be a problem, other than that, you may have problems with a 7'. Most people tend to stay away from the 7 footers.

You may want to consider loading the tires. Since they are not currently, try everything out as is. But if you ever seem lacking in traction or stability, load them for sure. You will think that you are operating a different machine besides making the tractor ride much smoother.

 

[blb078]

Total length behind the tractor may become an issue. If you are only in wide open space, shouldn't be a problem, other than that, you may have problems with a 7'. Most people tend to stay away from the 7 footers.

You may want to consider loading the tires. Since they are not currently, try everything out as is. But if you ever seem lacking in traction or stability, load them for sure. You will think that you are operating a different machine besides making the tractor ride much smoother.

The reason I didn't opt for loaded tires is that I read that you shouldn't when you have a backhoe, which I do have. I kind of figured I can always get them loaded later but wasn't sure about the backhoe. Also how does this effect finish mowing when loading the tires? Obviously a wet ground it will be an issue but that is the case loaded or unloaded.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

Except for the finishing mower & landscape rake...I would stick to 6'.
If you mow tall grass with the rotary cutter, or till hard soil,you'll be happy it's 6' and your still able to move along at a decent speed.
Other thing is the weight of the machine on the 3 point of a smaller machine.

 

[Turbys_1700]

The reason I didn't opt for loaded tires is that I read that you shouldn't when you have a backhoe, which I do have. I kind of figured I can always get them loaded later but wasn't sure about the backhoe. Also how does this effect finish mowing when loading the tires? Obviously a wet ground it will be an issue but that is the case loaded or unloaded.

I run loaded rears on my Workmaster 50 and finish mow. I don't mow wet and I don't turn sharp. My ground is hilly and the added stability is welcome plus using the FEL it's needed. Since you have a backhoe no need to load the rears but I would guess your backhoe usage will be much less than mowing.

 

[cornfedhogeditor]

My tractor is 5 foot wide and I wish my mower and rotor tiller was 6 foot wide. Any slope and it doesn't cover both tires. Also it will keep you off fence lines with the tires.

Keep that in mind too when deciding on size.

 

[Texasmark]

If money is no object, go to the JD site and look at their implements. In particular is their 6' cutter listed for their 4052 model tractor (52 engine hp). A neighbor just bought both and I assure you, it will put you and your grandchildren in the grave.......Personally I wouldn't put more than a 6' on that tractor and if it's the one I mentioned, I surely wouldn't.

 

[Ken Mac]

The reason I didn't opt for loaded tires is that I read that you shouldn't when you have a backhoe, which I do have. I kind of figured I can always get them loaded later but wasn't sure about the backhoe. Also how does this effect finish mowing when loading the tires? Obviously a wet ground it will be an issue but that is the case loaded or unloaded.

Why not load tires on a backhoe? My dealer suggested it and loaded mine at no charge. I've had no issues.

 

[LD1]

There is no reason you "can't".

It's just not normally required with the weight of the hoe being plenty sufficient.

 

[sixdogs]

My 51 HP, MX5100 Kubota will handle 8' so wherever possible that's what I do. My 8' landscape rake works so much better than a 6'or 7' would.

 

[blb078]

Why not load tires on a backhoe? My dealer suggested it and loaded mine at no charge. I've had no issues.

There is a thread in here from a few months back but some manufactures have it in their manuals not to use loaded tires with a BH. The topic then turned to possible warranty issues by having loaded tires with a bh since the manual stated not to do it. Brings up another question, other than wheel weights any other ways to add weight when using an implement when the BH is off?

Another question, with 8' implements I'm seeing most are cat 2. My LS has a cat 1 hitch. What would I need to convert the cat 2 implement into cat 1?

 

[LD1]

There is a thread in here from a few months back but some manufactures have it in their manuals not to use loaded tires with a BH. The topic then turned to possible warranty issues by having loaded tires with a bh since the manual stated not to do it. Brings up another question, other than wheel weights any other ways to add weight when using an implement when the BH is off?

Another question, with 8' implements I'm seeing most are cat 2. My LS has a cat 1 hitch. What would I need to convert the cat 2 implement into cat 1?

Three ways to add weight to the back

1. loaded tires
2. wheel weights
3. something heavy on the 3PH. Ballast box, box blade, rotary cutter, etc

To make cat 2 implements work on cat 1...you need to replace the pins on the implement with cat 1 pins.