I just picked up a John Deere 413 rotary mower, aka "brush hog". It has a 4' cutting diameter. I can't find any published specifications on minimum horsepower required for it. The 2305 tractor has 24 HP with 18 HP at the PTO. Can someone tell me if I'm biting off more than the 2305 can chew with this mowing deck? When I lift the deck up with the 3 pt hitch, the front wheels of the tractor become very light!
Mowing 413 Rotary Mower on a 2305 Subcompact
- Thread starter C-Range
- Start date
- Views: 25376
-
- Tags
- john deere 2305
RollTideRam
Veteran Member
It will do fine. I used a 413 on my Deere 650 and it was only 16 hp. JC
J
JCB
Guest
Ensoll,
I run a 413 on my 2210. It is perfectly matched for those tractors. I do run with a couple suitcase weights on front and love it. The weights give you much better traction for turning and pulling, without having the loader in your way.
On the base of the 413, mount the cat 1 pins in the lower holes of the for more lift height. On top of the 413, if you put the floppy link in between the rigid-front and rear supports, the 413 hooks up to a quick hitch nicely. Otherwise, if you leave the floppy link hanging out front, it's tough to use the quick hitch by just backing up. You'd typically have to get off and hold the floppy link in place while raising the 3ph. The literature shows the floppy link out front, but I plan on keeping all my fingers so I was really happy to move that floppy link to the middle.
Good luck, you've got a good cutter...it's a monster!
Joe
I run a 413 on my 2210. It is perfectly matched for those tractors. I do run with a couple suitcase weights on front and love it. The weights give you much better traction for turning and pulling, without having the loader in your way.
On the base of the 413, mount the cat 1 pins in the lower holes of the for more lift height. On top of the 413, if you put the floppy link in between the rigid-front and rear supports, the 413 hooks up to a quick hitch nicely. Otherwise, if you leave the floppy link hanging out front, it's tough to use the quick hitch by just backing up. You'd typically have to get off and hold the floppy link in place while raising the 3ph. The literature shows the floppy link out front, but I plan on keeping all my fingers so I was really happy to move that floppy link to the middle.
Good luck, you've got a good cutter...it's a monster!
Joe
Thanks for the assurance and advice. I totally understand about moving the lower pins down. I'm already planning to pick up a 32mm socket tomorrow to make that happen. It was obvious to me because the dimwit that owned this before me left the pins up high and ruined the chain guard. It is mangled and it costs $250 to replace so I'm trying to straighten it out.
Anyway, I don't quite understand what you are saying, JCB, about the top 'floppy' link. The floppy link is there, and I used it with my 2305 top link bar. I don't have a quick hitch. I was actually wondering if I could leave that floppy link off altogether but I suspect it is there so the deck can lift higher if needed (such as when backing off of a trailer). Could you please clarify what you are saying about putting the floppy link in between the rigid-front and rear supports?
Anyway, I don't quite understand what you are saying, JCB, about the top 'floppy' link. The floppy link is there, and I used it with my 2305 top link bar. I don't have a quick hitch. I was actually wondering if I could leave that floppy link off altogether but I suspect it is there so the deck can lift higher if needed (such as when backing off of a trailer). Could you please clarify what you are saying about putting the floppy link in between the rigid-front and rear supports?
PanhandleMike
New member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1
I have a 413 that I have been using with much success for 8 years with my 1964 Ford 3000 -- the cutter is a bit small for the tractor but I had the cutter before I bought the tractor -- the tractor dealer sold me a Yanmar that was too small for the cutter so I traded up to the Ford.
I spent a couple of hours this morning servicing the Ford and the 413 it as we cut today for the first time in 2009.
The only problem I have had with mine is the gear housing plug pops out every couple of years other than that I has taken all the abuse my son has been able to throw at it since he was 13 (21 years old now) and now that my parents have retired my factor worker step-father is trying to learn to operate it. It is tough gear.
I believe what JCB means is to unbolt the floppy and then attach the upper hitch point through the bolt holes.
Have a great day
Mike
I spent a couple of hours this morning servicing the Ford and the 413 it as we cut today for the first time in 2009.
The only problem I have had with mine is the gear housing plug pops out every couple of years other than that I has taken all the abuse my son has been able to throw at it since he was 13 (21 years old now) and now that my parents have retired my factor worker step-father is trying to learn to operate it. It is tough gear.
I believe what JCB means is to unbolt the floppy and then attach the upper hitch point through the bolt holes.
Have a great day
Mike
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,904
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
4' is fine for any sub compact .
Labrat
Gold Member
Just need to make sure the pto shaft is the correct length. They can destroy a transaxle in a hurry if they are to long
Thanks for the reminder, Labrat, I noticed the shaft looked fully collapsed when the deck was lifted. I'll check it again carefully once I get everything reconfigured correctly.
-----------
On a separate note, I'm also concerned about the fact that the 2305 has no belly shield. I'm planning to cut down some pretty nasty brush with this mower, not just tall grass. We have some tree seedlings about 1/2" diameter in the path of destruction. I guess I'll have to back up and lower down onto them, otherwise my hydraulic oil filter is a prime target for anything passing under the tractor. I can't understand why JD didn't put a belly pan under there, at least where the filter is anyway. Even my old 318 has one.
-----------
On a separate note, I'm also concerned about the fact that the 2305 has no belly shield. I'm planning to cut down some pretty nasty brush with this mower, not just tall grass. We have some tree seedlings about 1/2" diameter in the path of destruction. I guess I'll have to back up and lower down onto them, otherwise my hydraulic oil filter is a prime target for anything passing under the tractor. I can't understand why JD didn't put a belly pan under there, at least where the filter is anyway. Even my old 318 has one.
I've seen posts where some folks have built skid plates for these tractors, if you don't have a mid mount mower that's probably a good idea. my only concern would be to make sure you still have good air flow because of that goofy plastic fan for trans cooling.
Willl
Elite Member
What I learned when shopping for a RC a while back was to get the biggest the tractor could pick up via 3pt. As long as your not doing wheelies, your OK.
Sounds like your there.
Sounds like your there.
Willl
Elite Member
What I mean is, you'll hit lift capacity before you'll hit HP capacity. Make sense ?
I do have a 54" MMM, Jim, though I wasn't planning to have to use it as underwear. I have the mulching kit installed under it and it's not the most robust assembly of parts but rather just rotation molded polypropylene balloons held in place with a few winged locknuts on carriage bolts (I was a little disappointed with its construction upon installation last year, especially for the ~$200).
In fact, I'm afraid to remove the kit because the carriage bolt's anti-rotation lugs engage against molded pockets in the plastic balloons, a very poor design if you ask me. I'm now remembering that some of them did spin in the pockets during installation and it wasn't fun finishing the job. I think I had to press the carriage head firmly against one side while tightening the wing nut. (see image) But that's a subject for another topic.
I have a good size piece of galvanized sheet metal lying around. Maybe I'll whip up at belly pan of my own.
In fact, I'm afraid to remove the kit because the carriage bolt's anti-rotation lugs engage against molded pockets in the plastic balloons, a very poor design if you ask me. I'm now remembering that some of them did spin in the pockets during installation and it wasn't fun finishing the job. I think I had to press the carriage head firmly against one side while tightening the wing nut. (see image) But that's a subject for another topic.
I have a good size piece of galvanized sheet metal lying around. Maybe I'll whip up at belly pan of my own.
Attachments
Last edited:
Gotcha Willl. I think I managed to nail that one. My steering wheel is as easy to turn as any 1970's Chrysler with that mower hanging off the back though I've yet to see how well the tractor cranks the mower.
Right now, I'm going through the mower with a fine tooth comb and checking everything out. I'll definitely be getting some new blades at the very least. Some nitwit in the past sharpened them with a belt sander from the bottom of the deck so the bevel is all screwed up and of course they are as dull as a Joe Biden press conference.
-------------------------
Back to my original question, the 413 rotary mower requires 14.5 to75 HP (at the PTO) to run. I bought an owners manual and it just came in the mail.
Last edited:
J
JCB
Guest
En,
Got it. Three is the floppy link I was talking about. It costs an extra bolt, but put bolt 1 through 8 and 3 only. Then another bolt through 2, 3, and 4 only. Moving link #3 (plates really) between 2 and 8 still give you some flex for mowing rough terrain and the front stays rigid so you can easily hook up with a quick hitch. Without a quick hitch, you probably still want link 3 up front for your top link.
Life is easier with a quick hitch.
Correction: Life is easier - a year later once you've modified all your equipment - with a quick hitch.
Joe
Got it. Three is the floppy link I was talking about. It costs an extra bolt, but put bolt 1 through 8 and 3 only. Then another bolt through 2, 3, and 4 only. Moving link #3 (plates really) between 2 and 8 still give you some flex for mowing rough terrain and the front stays rigid so you can easily hook up with a quick hitch. Without a quick hitch, you probably still want link 3 up front for your top link.
Life is easier with a quick hitch.
Correction: Life is easier - a year later once you've modified all your equipment - with a quick hitch.
Joe
OOOOOOOOh, I get it. Thanks a lot for taking the time to clarify, Joe. That makes a lot of sense and I will definitely keep it in mind.
I was looking again at a quick hitch the other day but at ~$230-250, it just doesn't rank at the top of the list right now. A landscape rake is next up and won't come a moment too soon after the 'bleep bleep bleep of a bleeping' winter we had this year in my area. Heck, we still have snow in our yard that just won't go away.
Then I need to sell my single axle trailer for a dual with brakes. It's 14ft long and still too short for the 2305 with the 413 on back. Oh, and then comes a bigger truck to pull said trailer, etc etc etc.
...All this to wipe out some poison ivy so m'lady can take walks in the woods...Ah the selfless sacrifices we men make for our women. See, it's because of THEM that we have to buy all this tractor equipment!
I was looking again at a quick hitch the other day but at ~$230-250, it just doesn't rank at the top of the list right now. A landscape rake is next up and won't come a moment too soon after the 'bleep bleep bleep of a bleeping' winter we had this year in my area. Heck, we still have snow in our yard that just won't go away.
Then I need to sell my single axle trailer for a dual with brakes. It's 14ft long and still too short for the 2305 with the 413 on back. Oh, and then comes a bigger truck to pull said trailer, etc etc etc.
...All this to wipe out some poison ivy so m'lady can take walks in the woods...Ah the selfless sacrifices we men make for our women. See, it's because of THEM that we have to buy all this tractor equipment!
