L4060 - which rotary cutter?

[Wildfire]

It's time to cut the weeds so some grass can grow...

Going to run a 5' cutter so nothing sticks out past the R1 tires.

Choices:
1. Landpride RCR1860 for $1650 + tax
2. Woods BB60X for $1800-2000 + tax, haven't finished negotiating this price yet
3. USED Woods BB600X for $1800 - about 140 lbs (15%) heavier than my 3-pt is rated to lift for a rotary cutter
4. Everything Attachments with the slip clutch and 75hp gear box for $1695

The new cutters are all pretty much the same 10 gauge decks, 1/4" walls, 65-75hp gear boxes.

The used BB600 is a beast of a mower, giving that one some serious thought. Not too worried about it being a little overweight.

What do you think?

 

[jeff9366]

"3. USED Woods BB600X for $1800 - about 140 lbs (15%) heavier than my 3-pt is rated to lift for a rotary cutter. Not too worried about it being a little overweight."

When I mow with my Land Pride RCF2060 it is not too unusual to find I have a 100 pound tree branch fully or partly riding on the mower.

If you will mow over sloped ground the heavy Woods is liable to tear up your rigid, pinned, Lower Link stabilizers. Read this LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/385093-l6060-sway-links-2.html#post4862062

If you do not have a Loader on your L4060 I speculate you will need rack weights installed on tractor's front end.



Sometimes the subject of tractor RELIABILITY is chewed here. I maintain the equipment brand is much less important than the prudence and experience of the tractor operator. A good example: "3. USED Woods BB600X, about 140 lbs (15%) heavier than my 3-pt is rated to lift for a rotary cutter. Not too worried about it being a little overweight."

I would not buy a second-hand tractor from you.

 

[Wildfire]

Should have specified that I do have a front end loader, so the counter balance is there. And my 7 acres of land ranges from 23-25' above sea level in South Louisiana. No hills to worry about at all.

Regarding the excess weight...Kubota engineers design safety factors in just like every other engineer. The machine should manage the weight without complaint. Given that I'm a hobby farmer (< 100 hrs/year), its not going to shorten the life of the equipment.

Back to the original question, your saying NO to 3.

Any of the other ones you like better? I do appreciate the feedback. (my personal pick is the woods BB60X)

 

[jeff9366]

I have never owned a Woods implement. Woods has a sterling reputation.

I have four implements from everytfhingattachments.com, in my implement stable. I have been satisfied with all. Like Woods, ETA is built to work. I like having a sixteen wheeled truck pull up to my property to unload a new yellow implement three days after placing the order. CHRISTMAS!

I have a Land Pride RCF2060 Rotary Cutter. It is fine. The plastic guards over the PTO shaft bind, making the PTO quite difficult to connect. I probably have an aberrent example. An aberrant example can happen in any equipment line, tractors and implements. Operationally the RCF2060 is 100% but I do not love it.

 

[Fallon]

My L4060 with R4s has a 66" track at the narrowest. Mine is set to a 72" track. Generally you want an impliment that will cover your tracks.

My L3200 was half the weight & pulled a 60" light duty rotary. I wouldn't go any lower than a 72" if I were getting a rotary. I have a 7' old beat to **** Ford 917 flail I ran on both tractors. Gonna replace it with another flail.

I hear the 7' flails are just to long & awkward, so most people skip them & go to a 8' dual spindle.

 

[SDT]

I have been mowing with various tractor/mower combinations for nearly 50 years.

Currently I have Woods BB720X and BB840X and Frontier RC2060 cutters. I just sold my Woods MDS1260 12.5' cutter. The Woods BB series are serious HD Cutters. The Frontier is not but is quite a bit lighter than a comparable Woods BB600X cutter.

I use the BB720X with a Kubota L6060 on steep ground with many obstacles. It too is about 150+ heavier than the L6060 lift is rated. The BB720X is heavy and rugged. It will not break but your tractor may. Don't push it.

SDT

 

[LD1]

You guys seem to be mistaken what the tractor / 3PH is rated to lift.....and what the manual suggestions are for max weight for given implements.

the manual suggestions are VERY conservative. Ill just come right out and say....ignore them.

Your 3PH is rated to lift 2800# @ 24". If jeff dont want to buy a used tractor from you because you put a 1000# 5' cutter on a 3800# tractor thats rated to lift 2800#.......thats his problem.

Your tractor is the same frame/platform as my MX, only with a little less power. NO, you will not need front weights or be required to leave the loader on. Your tractor will hardly notice a short 5' 1000# cutter back there. I run an 8' 1620# cutter on mine.

I would advise that the 5' is too small and would suggest you take a serious look at a 6' cutter.

 

[oosik]

For a couple of years I tried to convince myself that I needed a rotary cutter. My cutter of choice would have been - Brown 415. But then I took a grasp of reality(unfortunately) and realized - I can cut anything needing to be cut with my riding lawnmower.

 

[SDT]

You guys seem to be mistaken what the tractor / 3PH is rated to lift.....and what the manual suggestions are for max weight for given implements.

the manual suggestions are VERY conservative. Ill just come right out and say....ignore them.

Your 3PH is rated to lift 2800# @ 24". If jeff dont want to buy a used tractor from you because you put a 1000# 5' cutter on a 3800# tractor thats rated to lift 2800#.......thats his problem.

Your tractor is the same frame/platform as my MX, only with a little less power. NO, you will not need front weights or be required to leave the loader on. Your tractor will hardly notice a short 5' 1000# cutter back there. I run an 8' 1620# cutter on mine.

I would advise that the 5' is too small and would suggest you take a serious look at a 6' cutter.

It depends upon what you plan to cut, where you plan to cut it, how much time you plan to use cutting it, how long you plan to keep your tractor, and other factors.

The Woods 6' BB720X is as much as my L6060 wants (front weights and loader brackets on) in my steep conditions, and then some. FWIW, My Woods 7' BB840X is all my M9960 wants (EPTO, front weights and loader brackets on) in the spring. These are heavy mowers and the BB840X extends well behind the lift arms.

Yes, my L6060 could pull a 12' bat wing in ideal conditions. My M9960 pull a 20' bat wing in similar conditions, but I do not play mow.

Finally, 24" lift capacity is irrelevant to this discussion. A 6' rotary cutter extends far beyond 24" from the lift arms. Yes, the tractor will lift it but the dynamic stresses applied to the structures determine the cutter weight limit specified by Kubota. A retired engineer who, in one of my previous lives performed failure analysis for GM, I'm with Jeff in this regard. BTDT.

Been doing this far to long.

SDT

 

[LD1]

It depends upon what you plan to cut, where you plan to cut it, how much time you plan to use cutting it, how long you plan to keep your tractor, and other factors.

The Woods 6' BB720X is as much as my L6060 wants (front weights and loader brackets on) in my steep conditions, and then some. FWIW, My Woods 7' BB840X is all my M9960 wants (EPTO, front weights and loader brackets on) in the spring. These are heavy mowers and the BB840X extends well behind the lift arms.

Yes, my L6060 could pull a 12' bat wing in ideal conditions. My M9960 pull a 20' bat wing in similar conditions, but I do not play mow.

Finally, 24" lift capacity is irrelevant to this discussion. A 6' rotary cutter extends far beyond 24" from the lift arms. Yes, the tractor will lift it but the dynamic stresses applied to the structures determine the cutter weight limit specified by Kubota. A retired engineer who, in one of my previous lives performed failure analysis for GM, I'm with Jeff in this regard. BTDT.

Been doing this far to long.

SDT

Good for you.

Those of us in reality arent gonna limit a 3800# tractor with a 2800# lift cap at 24" to a mere 1000# 5' cutter. The manual is conservative, kubota knows it, dealers know it, "most" owners know it. It has nothing to do with "failure analysis", or any of that BS. Its simply kubota using a CYA policy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not sure what "play mow" means. Must be a new term. But I mow 250-300 acres a year with a hog commercially. Last tractor (kubota L3400) was 2600# and 29 PTO HP and I mowed thousands of acres with that carrying a 1100# 6' mower. Now have a 8' 1600# that is the same basic frame as the GLxx60 tractors. HST allows me to go infinity slow. After 300-400 acres with this machine now, I have yet to wish I had a smaller cutter.

And not sure why you feel kubotas published lift specs are irrelevant? they give a capacity, and a distance. Do some math will you? Then you would realize how foolish you sound.

 

[SDT]

Good for you.

Those of us in reality arent gonna limit a 3800# tractor with a 2800# lift cap at 24" to a mere 1000# 5' cutter. The manual is conservative, kubota knows it, dealers know it, "most" owners know it. It has nothing to do with "failure analysis", or any of that BS. Its simply kubota using a CYA policy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not sure what "play mow" means. Must be a new term. But I mow 250-300 acres a year with a hog commercially. Last tractor (kubota L3400) was 2600# and 29 PTO HP and I mowed thousands of acres with that carrying a 1100# 6' mower. Now have a 8' 1600# that is the same basic frame as the GLxx60 tractors. HST allows me to go infinity slow. After 300-400 acres with this machine now, I have yet to wish I had a smaller cutter.

And not sure why you feel kubotas published lift specs are irrelevant? they give a capacity, and a distance. Do some math will you? Then you would realize how foolish you sound.

Statics and dynamics are in your future.

SDT

 

[BlacknTan]

My B-7800 pulls a Woods BB60X in hill country with no difficulties. Your 4060 could easily handle the 600X IMO. I would have no problem running it!

 

[LD1]

Statics and dynamics are in your future.

SDT

Not likely

 

[Fallon]

My L4060 with R4s has a 66" track at the narrowest. Mine is set to a 72" track. Generally you want an impliment that will cover your tracks.

My L3200 was half the weight & pulled a 60" light duty rotary. I wouldn't go any lower than a 72" if I were getting a rotary. I have a 7' old beat to **** Ford 917 flail I ran on both tractors. Gonna replace it with another flail.

I hear the 7' flails are just to long & awkward, so most people skip them & go to a 8' dual spindle.

Er 7' rotary cutters, not flails. My 7' flail is nice size wise.

 

[Wildfire]

The manual lists about 900 lbs max for a rotary cutter.

I'm interested in opinions regarding the brands. I'm already an engineer, really not interested in debating physics...

I'll probably buy the EA unless a great deal pops up on a used cutter. EA has s 5-6 week lead time though...

 

[LD1]

The manual lists about 900 lbs max for a rotary cutter.

I'm interested in opinions regarding the brands. I'm already an engineer, really not interested in debating physics...

I'll probably buy the EA unless a great deal pops up on a used cutter. EA has s 5-6 week lead time though...

If you read the manual for their suggested implement limitations.......like a 900# max rotary cutter......it makes you wonder why they boast about such a high lift capacity of 2800# @ 24"???

I dont remember what my manual says, and I dont have it handy......but the limitations are probably the same as yours since its the same frame. And i think it limits to something like a 7' disc, 6' rear blade or box blade, 2-14 plow, 72" finish mower, etc. Just way too conservative to be practical.

All the cutters you mentioned are good cutters with a solid company backing them up. You really cannot go wrong with any of them. Obviously the more the cutter weighs the heavier it its built, and will likely stand up to cutting thicker stuff.

If all you are cutting is weeds and grass, than even a light duty cutter will work just fine. But if you start clearing dense briars, tree saplings, etc....thats where you want as heavy of a cutter as you can.

But all the cutters you list, being all 5' cutters......they are all too rich for my blood. 5' cutters come up on craigslist in my area all the time. ranging in price from $100 to $600 and likewise ranging in condition from needing alot of work to in pretty good shape.

 

[SDT]

It's time to cut the weeds so some grass can grow...

Going to run a 5' cutter so nothing sticks out past the R1 tires.

Choices:
1. Landpride RCR1860 for $1650 + tax
2. Woods BB60X for $1800-2000 + tax, haven't finished negotiating this price yet
3. USED Woods BB600X for $1800 - about 140 lbs (15%) heavier than my 3-pt is rated to lift for a rotary cutter
4. Everything Attachments with the slip clutch and 75hp gear box for $1695

The new cutters are all pretty much the same 10 gauge decks, 1/4" walls, 65-75hp gear boxes.

The used BB600 is a beast of a mower, giving that one some serious thought. Not too worried about it being a little overweight.

What do you think?

Woods and Landpride have good reputations as does Bush Hog. I know nothing of the EA brand so will reserve comment.

Woods, Bush Hog and Landpride make light, medium and heavy duty cutters. Of course both weight and price increase as you move up the line. The BB600X is the middle line. This would be considered very HD by most. Their HD line is intended for state highway crews and other commercial businesses having semi skilled operators who care nothing about their owners equipment. I can think of no reason why any land owner/farmer who does not do commercial work on unknown land with hired operators would even consider the "HD" line.

Considering your choices, I would factor in dealer location and support. In my area we have a good CNH/Kubota dealer who also sells Bush Hog, Woods and Landpride. I bought all of my 2 Woods mowers from this dealer and they have treated me well. Within the last few years they have been pushing Landpride, probably because of the relationship between Kubota and Landpride, or maybe they just make more profit when they sell Landpride.

I know that you have your reasons for limiting your mower width to 5' but will again state that most folks like their mower to extend a bit beyond the max width of the rear tires so as to completely cover the wheel tracks. All 4 of my mowing set-ups have mowers that cut at lest a couple of inches outside of my tire spacing.

That said, rather than spending serious money for a HD 5' cutter that may be beyond the design specs of your tractor, why not buy a low cost, light weight, 5' cutter, such as a King Cutter, Howse, Hawk Line,or other inexpensive line.

My expectations are that you will soon want a light weight 6' cutter, and HD 5' cutters do not sell well.

SDT

 

[Wildfire]

Found a 5' Woods for $750 and a 6' Woods for $1400, haven't tried to negotiate yet.

Planning to mow the weeds after the excavator cleared the land and take it through some wooded areas to clear bushes, not real thick. Plenty of sticks and small limbs to chop that haven't made it into a burn pile yet.

Long term, I'll buy a flail or finish mower. The RC is the right tool for right now.

 

[bilrus61]

I'll vote for a lighter 6 foot cutter. I have a Land Pride 1860 and its tough as nails and slow as snails. Good for trimming around things.

As far as the weight thing goes I had a Rhino tw96 on my L4200 years ago. That is a very heavy twin spindle cutter. Never had a issue with it but I ran it simi mount. If your worried about wear and tear on your hitch you can run it simi mount and the mower tire will always take half the weight. You just raise it up and set the rear wheel where you want it. You then remove the top link from the mower. You now have a simi mount mower.

I would be VERY carful buying a used cutter. They can be so abused, and not show it, that your just buying trouble. If your doing mostly weeds the lightweight 6 footer will work fine. After you mow some with it you'll be wishing for a 7 footer!

 

[Wildfire]

Found a 2014 BB72X WOODS for $1800 all-in. Probably go that way. Pics look good. Its at a dealer. Hard to say if it is as good as the pics show or not.