what size rotary cutter ?

[kenmac]

I've got an MX 5100. I'm hearing by some that an 8 ft dual spindle 3 pt. cutter is too much for this tractor, that the tractor is only rated for 7 ft single spindle no more than 1000 #, while some say it will run an 8 ft dual spindle just fine .
I've been looking at an Iron craft 2408 cutter
What does the MX community say ?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

All depends on what you are cutting.

Your tractor wouldn't have enough pto hp for an 8' cutter on my ground.

SR

 

[big bubba]

plus the tractor would struggle on the 3ph. my 8' unit is 2000#. the tail would wag the dog. had an MX500 once, 6' was a good match. never been impressed with the 7' single spindle, though others will disagree.

6' heavy duty would be my recommendation. 8' twin 3ph cutters aren't cheap, paid 5.6k for the Rhino years ago

 

[2manyrocks]

Have same question for my mx5200 now running light 6 foot cutter with ease, but thinking an 8 foot twin would speed things up later in season when fields arent so grown up?

 

[kenmac]

plus the tractor would struggle on the 3ph. my 8' unit is 2000#. the tail would wag the dog. had an MX500 once, 6' was a good match. never been impressed with the 7' single spindle, though others will disagree.

6' heavy duty would be my recommendation. 8' twin 3ph cutters aren't cheap, paid 5.6k for the Rhino years ago

I currently have a 5 ft. just going up one ft wouldn't be worth the cost. Plus 6 ft won't cover the rear tires. the 8 ft iron craft doesn't weigh 2K #..
I can get the 7 ft cutter that will cover the rear tires but it's single wheel and single spindle. the dual spindle 8 ft cutter has dual tail wheels.

Price for the iron craft 2408 is around $6500.00 which isn't a bad price

 

[Chewwy]

Not clear why you think 1k lbs on the 3 pt is your limit. Tractor Data says your machine can handle well over 2k lbs on the 3 pt.

At 42 pto hp, you machine would be fine with an 8 ft cutter for grass and likely ok for a mixture of grass and light brush, although you may be limited in how fast you can travel. (My L3240 has only 25 pto hp and has no problem running a 6 ft cutter, although I do have to slow down in the really thick overgrown areas.)

 

[kenmac]

Not clear why you think 1k lbs on the 3 pt is your limit. Tractor Data says your machine can handle well over 2k lbs on the 3 pt.

At 42 pto hp, you machine would be fine with an 8 ft cutter for grass and likely ok for a mixture of grass and light brush, although you may be limited in how fast you can travel. (My L3240 has only 25 pto hp and has no problem running a 6 ft cutter, although I do have to slow down in the really thick overgrown areas.)

under implement limitations in the owners manual, it list rotary cutter at 84 inches, and weight at 1000 #. just trying to get a feel as to what others are using on their tractor of the same size

 

[Sportsman762]

The Kubota MX5100 can lift 2300 lbs 24" behind the lift point and is 42.5 hp (HST) 44 (gear) pto hp.

https://www.diskubota.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MX5100.pdf

The Ironcraft 1800 is 1250 lbs and requires 42 minimum hp.

1800 Series Heavy-Duty Dual Spindle Cutter | IronCraft | Tractor & Skid Steer Attachments

www.ironcraftusa.com

The tractor will most likely move the mower around and be able to lift it. However when your at the min hp rated for the mower, your really pushing the tractor hard assuming your ground is level. If its steep, then you well into dangerous territory.

If your clipping grass with it on level ground, I think you will be ok. However if your mowing brush, or on hills I am not sure this is a good idea.

I have lots of time on a MX4700 (same frame but non turbo engine) with a 6' rotary cutter and it would handle everything you threw at it. Very heavy brush (small trees) were a problem, and you had to slow on hills but I never felt it was unsafe or pushing the limits. We had a 7' heavy duty single spindle and a dual spindle 8' but I was not comfortable running them on the MX4700 as I was normally mowing steep inclines with it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I've got an MX 5100. I'm hearing by some that an 8 ft dual spindle 3 pt. cutter is too much for this tractor, that the tractor is only rated for 7 ft single spindle no more than 1000 #, while some say it will run an 8 ft dual spindle just fine .
I've been looking at an Iron craft 2408 cutter
What does the MX community say ?

You need to tell us what you are cutting. Tall grass/light fields? You’d be ok.
I ran a twin spindle MX-8’ behind an M-7040, but I was cutting 5 foot tall, thick grass.
Also, I think you’ll need a loader with bucket or front weights to add weight & stability to the front axle.

 

[BigGG]

I currently have a 5 ft. just going up one ft wouldn't be worth the cost. Plus 6 ft won't cover the rear tires. the 8 ft iron craft doesn't weigh 2K #..
I can get the 7 ft cutter that will cover the rear tires but it's single wheel and single spindle. the dual spindle 8 ft cutter has dual tail wheels.

Price for the iron craft 2408 is around $6500.00 which isn't a bad price

I've run a 7' LandPride RCR1884 behind an M7040 and I don't think an MX would lift it comfortably. Besides that 7 footer is so long it gets kind of unwieldy. I've seen an M7060 running a 12' batwing through 4' grass. It was slow going, but who's going to try mowing 4 mph when you can't see the ground?

 

[kenmac]

not too worried about the weight. I have pulled an Atlas 1500 disc at 1800 # to restore a pasture. so I don't believe the weight of the Iron craft 2408 would be an issue.
I'm just worried about the PTO HP. being enough.

As far as what I'm cutting, I mostly just lightly cut Bahia, Dallis grass, fescue. I don't cut close to the ground mostly just take the seed stems off so the cattle will eat it.

I do have a loader on this tractor

 

[BigGG]

Are you considering the lift version or the pull version? I assume that 1800# disk was not 3ph.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

For light grass I figure you will be fine, my SCUT has only 19.6 PTO HP, Bush Hog recommends minimum of 20 PTO HP for there 5' rotary cutter ... I'm just cutting grass 5 times a year, it cuts it fine, but I don't care for how it "disperses" the clippings!

My 5 footer is 8' long sticking out the back, and I need not only the bucket on the loader, but a few rocks in the bucket for counter weight if the rear wheel comes off the ground!

I mow at 3.5 mph due to my tiny tires ...

 

[big bubba]

mx would prob handle the pto hp of a 8' twin, but the sheer size weight & maneuverability of a 3ph lift imho & the compact tractor would struggle. not to mention risky on hills. again, i'd say the tail would wag the dog
suggest a drag type twin if you must have an 8 footer. (not sure, you may need an extra rear remote valve depending on the model drag type)

as i've mentioned in the past, if there's one constant i've noticed on this compact/sub forum is owners asking how to increase hp or if their tractors can handle larger implements & tasks putting both machinery & operator at risk.

 

[Quilceda]

I have an 8' dual spindle that I run with my Kubota L6060. I wouldn't want to use it with a tractor much smaller or less powerful than this. My Deere 4720 has a hard time running it in thick grass, I need to go slow so the tractor has enough power, and it's not getting too hot.

 

[kenmac]

Are you considering the lift version or the pull version? I assume that 1800# disk was not 3ph.

yes , 3 py version ... and that atlas 1500 is 3 point

 

[kenmac]

mx would prob handle the pto hp of a 8' twin, but the sheer size weight & maneuverability of a 3ph lift imho & the compact tractor would struggle. not to mention risky on hills. again, i'd say the tail would wag the dog
suggest a drag type twin if you must have an 8 footer. (not sure, you may need an extra rear remote valve depending on the model drag type)

as i've mentioned in the past, if there's one constant i've noticed on this compact/sub forum is owners asking how to increase hp or if their tractors can handle larger implements & tasks putting both machinery & operator at risk.

well, I may just go with the single spindle 7 ft med. duty cutter. 950 # I believe. It's 3500.00

 

[Shawn T. W.]

You can't just go by the gross weight of the mower ... The lighter 7' single spindle is hanging that weight way out back, compared to the shorter heavier 8' multi-spindle, so leverage is taking effect, also when you turn, the "tail" will swing much wider with the 7' single.

My L5030 is about the same size as your MX ... I plan on getting a 5 spindle 99" cut 1200 Lb finish mower for it ...

 

[big bubba]

Well OP: don't jump the gun yet. the last post does bring up a good point. it's all about the overall hanging length/ weight on a compact tractor. if you have one, look at the owner's manual for implement specs/limitations.

you might also want to discuss with your dealer's impartial advice on the subject since you're not going through them.

you're on the right track for now, do some more homework before you buy.
assume you have fel & loaded rears as well for the task. i've read where some load their ft tires as well, best regards
having said, would not recommend finish mower of any type.

 

[dieselscout80]

I run a Wood C114 pull type cutter that has a 9.5’ cutting width with my New Holland TC45DA that has about 39 PTO HP.

If the grass is really tall it causes me to slowdown to less than 3.5 MPH.