4115 and 5ft kk rotary

[Newtogreen]

Well yesterday I took a look at a used 5ft kk rotary mower. The mower seemed to be fairly large. Kennyd thinks I shouldn't have any problems with this combination and I believe he's right. Does anyone else have any knowledge they could share with me about this combination before I take the plunge and purchase the mower. I don't want to over stress my tractor. Thanks for all your help Larry.

 

[kennyd]

Just to give your thread a little bump I still say you are OK with that mower.

 

[Newtogreen]

Thanks for the bump Kennyd, I quess theres not many 4115 owners out there. I wonder why this model tractor didn't sell as well as the 2520 it appears to be the same tractor except for some different sheet metal and two more horse power for the steering. Anway maybe someone will help me out. Thanks again.

 

[Runner]

Newtogreen,

I'm running a 5 foot Frontier rotary cutter on a 2520, which has similar horsepower, with no problems. Not sure what the weight of the KK unit is, but the Frontier weighs 584 lbs and I don't have any problems carrying it with the loader frame on.

If I was going to mow without the loader frame, I'd use some front weights.

Based on the above, I think you'd be OK as long as the weight is within the 600 lb range.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I would have them drop it off for a trial period to see if it does what you expect. I have a 6' Bush Hog I pull with a 45 hp gas Allis . In tall grass its all it wants to handle and not cutting in a high gear. My 55 hp NH does well with it and needs the four wheel drive to drag it through low, wet conditions.
I have seen 4' brush cutters on sub compacts but never a 5. In low grass conditions it may be fine but one does not realize the power it takes to spin those blades plus the hydrastatic drive in a hillside or wet conditions. The demo will be the determining factor. Let us know how it works out.

 

[bz1]

I had a 4100 tractor which I believe is exactly equivalent to the 4115 except only 20 engine HP versus something like 24 hp for the 4115. I have tried a KK 5 foot rotary and in my opinion it was too much for my 4100. Not enough HP or weight. I did not have a FEL on my 4100 but I did have 200 pounds of weight on the front. I ended up with a JD 4 foot rotary which is the biggest I think the machine can handle. So you got a little more HP but I think the KK is too heavy for the machine. BTW, a KK rotary is quite a bit heavier than a Frontier, at least the ones I've seen. I now have a 2520 tractor and I can tell you there is no comparison to the weight the 2520 will handle as compared to my 4100. While the 2520 is only about 300 pounds hearvier I have found that it has an amazingly larger capacity to handle weight with or without the front weights. I still would not put a 5 foot rotary on my 2520, especially not a KK since it's about the heaviest made. I think the best advice above is to try this out before buying.

 

[kennyd]

I had a 4100 tractor which I believe is exactly equivalent to the 4115 except only 20 engine HP versus something like 24 hp for the 4115. I have tried a KK 5 foot rotary and in my opinion it was too much for my 4100. Not enough HP or weight. I did not have a FEL on my 4100 but I did have 200 pounds of weight on the front. I ended up with a JD 4 foot rotary which is the biggest I think the machine can handle. So you got a little more HP but I think the KK is too heavy for the machine. BTW, a KK rotary is quite a bit heavier than a Frontier, at least the ones I've seen. I now have a 2520 tractor and I can tell you there is no comparison to the weight the 2520 will handle as compared to my 4100. While the 2520 is only about 300 pounds hearvier I have found that it has an amazingly larger capacity to handle weight with or without the front weights. I still would not put a 5 foot rotary on my 2520, especially not a KK since it's about the heaviest made. I think the best advice above is to try this out before buying.

BZ,

If you think that a KK (King Kutter) mower is "quite a bit heavier than a Frontier" and "about the heaviest made" You must not get out much! ALL the KK's I have seen are very light duty and would not hold a candle to a Frontier, JD, Bushhog, or Rhino.

Also, the 4115 has a longer wheelbase than your 4100-and 200lbs on the front bumper does NOT equal the weight of a FEL.

 

[bz1]

Kennyd, all I have to compare with is my local JD dealer who sells frontier and another local farm supply that sells KK. I've used both and the KK was much heavier. I don't know how many models they make but I'll admit I have seen KK in other stores that don't look as heavy as the ones in the store where the one I used was purchased. Also, I'm talking about a KK that was purchased back in about 2005 as compared to a Frontier that was purchased last year. Maybe they've changed. Yes I realize that my 200 pounds is not as heavy as a loader. But when I used the KK I felt as if the 4100 was structurally flexing a lot mostly when driving around with the unit lifted off the ground. So my "seat of the pants" assessment leads me to say it was too much weight for the machine, loader or not. When I look at the relatively light aluminum final drive cases on any of the 4100/4115/2520 with the small lug that the sway linkage attaches to I'm opting not to sling the weight of any 5 foot cutter on these machines. I'd be curious to know if anyone has ever broken the final drive cases on any of the 4100/4115/2520? Correct me if I'm wrong but I also don't think JD recommends a 5 foot cutter on any of these machines. Maybe they are conservative but I'd hate to brake a case.

 

[Runner]

bz1,

JD does recommend the 5 foot light duty Frontier (or JD LX5) for the 2520 and, in fact, show one running an LX5 in one of the videos on their web site.

They also recommend the Frontier GM1072R rear finish mower (which I have) for this tractor which weighs almost 100 lbs more than the Frontier RC1060 rotary cutter.

I have been using both for a couple of years now with no problems other than the heavy finish mower does tend to drag the tractor a little sideways on really steep slopes.

 

[dj1701]

I have been running a 72" Frontier finnish mower on my 4115 for a couple of years and have had no problems. I have even cut some brush with it without it missing a beat. Love this tractor. A 5 footer would be no problem.