Rotary Cutter Advice on rotary cutter needed

CajunRider · May 24, 2005

I need to get a rotary cutter. I got a Kioti DK45. With 45 HP I am thinking about either a 6 or 7 ft cutter.

Here is what I found so far used:
6 ft International 8 yr old with slip clutch $400 condition fair.
7 ft Modern 5 yr old 100 HP gear rating, slip clutch, some rust on top deck $800.

Questions I have:
Can the DK45 handle a 7ft cutter. I think it can but I am not sure.

Does the make of the cutter make much of a difference?

KiotiJohn · May 24, 2005

The DK45 can easily handle the 7 foot mower, but do you have enough room to maneuver through things with the extra foot? That would be my only concern. Sometimes you just need the smaller unit due to circumstances such as this.
Between International and Modern, I don't think there's a great difference.
If I were faced with this same dilemma, I think I'd buy the 6' for $400. I don't think the extra foot is worth double that.
John

Cabinholler · May 25, 2005

CajunRider

Your Kioti DK45 might be able to handle a 7 foot rotary cutter ok, but your are going to have a lot of weight on the rear of the tractor with this cutter, if it is three point lift type. I would go with the 6 foot International rotary cutter for $400.00, if it is in good shape. I have been told by other farmers that International rotary cutters are very good heavy cutters.

Cabinholler

The water will never clear up until you get the hogs out of the pond. (You got to find what the trouble is, and eliminate it).

BB_TX · May 25, 2005

I run a 6' on only 33hp (27 PTO hp). I does fine as long as I don't let the grass get too tall. Then I just have to slow down a little or take smaller cuts. So I think the 45 hp would run the 7' OK. Question. Will the 6' be wider than your rear wheels. It makes it a lot easier to get close to fences, buildings, etc. if the cutter is a little wider than the rear wheels.

NewHollandOwner · May 25, 2005

Bigger is better, right? I agree with the post regarding the mower covering your tracks. The extra weight isn'g going o matter much. My tractor is 35 HP, my Bush Hog weighs 905lbs. The tractor barely knows it's back there, with your tractor being larger, you will be fine at 7 foot.

Indydirtfarmer · May 25, 2005

There are exceptions, but MOST 7' mowers are MUCH heavier than a 6' model. Add to that, they extend back further from the tractor. It takes quite a bit more tractor to SAFELY handle a 7'er than a 6'er. (and more front wieghts too)

Unless you're going to be doing a LOT of mowing, I'd suggest staying with the 6' mower.

greg_g · May 25, 2005

I have an International IM-602 behind my KAMA (~38 PTO hp). Even though the tractor weighs a full 4000 pounds, the front end will bounce a little if/when the TPH is lifted too fast. I plan to ballast the front tires this summer, but that's another topic.

Since your Kioti is a couple hundred pounds lighter, I think it wise to avoid the seven footer. Besides, a 72 inch swath will more than adequately cover the 61 inch rear track in a DK45

//greg//

Dk45_Jeff · May 25, 2005

I have a Woods BB720, with chain guards it weighs about 1200 pounds, which is one of the heaviest 6' cutters available. My DK45 has no problem handling this cutter, though I keep the FEL on if I plan to raise the cutter for transport. I can't comment on other brand tractors but I can say a 6' cutter is the minimum practical size for a DK45. BTW, the 61" tractor width is misleading, I think that's with the narrowest rim setting. With the rims at the widest setting there isn't much difference between the bucket width and the tires.

I choose the BB720 because I need to cut areas over grown with lots 2" to 3" diameter (actually measured) brush. If my needs were limited to 1" stuff I would have gotten a standard duty 7' cutter like a BB84 or SQ840.

Indydirtfarmer · May 25, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a Woods BB720, with chain guards it weighs about 1200 pounds, which is one of the heaviest 6' cutters available. My DK45 has no problem handling this cutter, though I keep the FEL on if I plan to raise the cutter for transport. I can't comment on other brand tractors but I can say a 6' cutter is the minimum practical size for a DK45. BTW, the 61" tractor width is misleading, I think that's with the narrowest rim setting. With the rims at the widest setting there isn't much difference between the bucket width and the tires.

I choose the BB720 because I need to cut areas over grown with lots 2" to 3" diameter (actually measured) brush. If my needs were limited to 1" stuff I would have gotten a standard duty 7' cutter like a BB84 or SQ840.
)</font>

I've been using a BB840 for 2-1/2 years now. It is plenty tough, and more than plenty heavy. I've added my own saftey chains. It hasn't been "on the scales" yet, but I'd venture a guess at around 1500lbs. We run these mowers on tractors WITHOUT front loaders. There's 660 lbs of front wieghts hanging on the wieght bracket, and that's just barely enough.

Dk45_Jeff · May 25, 2005

I don't understand your point Indydirtfarmer. I agree with you a BB840 with chain guards weighs between 1400 and 1500 pounds. Since I have no experience with any of your tractors, I have no idea how well they handle your medium (most would say heavy) duty 7' cutter. I leave the FEL on if I lift the cutter for transport, I guess you use the 650 pounds front weights on for the same reason.

I do have a DK45 and a BB720, and know how well they work together. I do not recommend a BB840 for the DK45, it requires too much PTO hp to run it through 2-3" stuff. That said if I were cutting lighter stuff (1") I wouldn't hesitate to buy a standard duty 7' cutter. I haven't seen a standard duty 7' cutter heavier than the BB720.