Bucket off with bushhog attached

[LHS Inc]

How does my JD 3520 balance out with the bucket off the 300CX FEL with the RC 1060 attached?

Just wondering if I can cut without the bucket on in fields I've been mowing this year.

Is there still enough weight on the front that the tractor would handle safely?

The main thing I'm looking at is a little less weight on the trailer and less work fitting it on the trailer.

There is a slope in one section of the field where I'm cutting and I've been cutting it without any problem with the bucket on.
I cut the lawn at this place so I was thinking of cutting the slope section while I'm there to do the lawn with the zero-turn the one time of the month that I cut the field.


Thanks

 

[aczlan]

We have a Kubota L3830 (no loader) which is similar in size. We run a 60" light/medium duty cutter behind it and it behaves well.
The B7500 on the other hand gets real "teeter-totter" like with the same mower if we take the loader off.

Aaron Z

 

[arlen4720]

How does my JD 3520 balance out with the bucket off the 300CX FEL with the RC 1060 attached?

Just wondering if I can cut without the bucket on in fields I've been mowing this year.

Is there still enough weight on the front that the tractor would handle safely?

The main thing I'm looking at is a little less weight on the trailer and less work fitting it on the trailer.

There is a slope in one section of the field where I'm cutting and I've been cutting it without any problem with the bucket on.
I cut the lawn at this place so I was thinking of cutting the slope section while I'm there to do the lawn with the zero-turn the one time of the month that I cut the field.


Thanks

I've been wondering the same thing. Mainly, I'm wondering if the bucket on, carried as low as possible, is safer than the whole loader removed and weights on the front? Some people say the CG is too high on the loader, therefore should be removed for mowing on slopes, but I question that.

 

[megaboz]

It is really going to just depend on the property. If you can get away without the bucket good, but really think either that the whole loader off or leave it all on. Without the bucket there really isn't much weight out front and at that point I don't think it is worth having it on.

With a brush hog on, your COG is already going to be much lower, but the real issue is the weight balance from front to rear. I have steep hills and need all the weight I can get in the front.

 

[Code54]

Without trying it yourself it would be hard to say. The lay of the land has a lot to do with it plus some people are just generally more comfortable on hills and such. Maybe take the bucket and try it out for a bit, then drop the bucket in the field and re-cut some of the worse areas and see what you think. Good luck

 

[greg_g]

Some people say the CG is too high on the loader, therefore should be removed for mowing on slopes, but I question that.

So do I. Given the bucket is lowered to a sensible position that is. Quite obviously the COG changes with bucket height, so it would be foolish to drive around with it raised to a point where your forward view is beneath it. I have some serious slopes to traverse, and do so with the bucket no more than 12" off the ground. Besides acting as a mower counterweight, that puts the COG as low as feasible w/o risking striking the ground during a down-slope to up-slope transition. Plus, from there it can be quickly dropped completely if/when needed as an emergency outrigger.

//greg//

 

[LHS Inc]

So do I. Given the bucket is lowered to a sensible position that is. Quite obviously the COG changes with bucket height, so it would be foolish to drive around with it raised to a point where your forward view is beneath it. I have some serious slopes to traverse, and do so with the bucket no more than 12" off the ground. Besides acting as a mower counterweight, that puts the COG as low as feasible w/o risking striking the ground during a down-slope to up-slope transition. Plus, from there it can be quickly dropped completely if/when needed as an emergency outrigger.

//greg//

Yeah no way I'm cutting even a little bit of side slope without the bucket on. How much of a counter weight is it with the bucket on? These CUT's are so light in the back it seems like it would balance out more towards the front even without the bucket on and the cutter attached.

 

[Runner]

I have a 2520 and use an RC1060. I have mowed with the bucket on, off and with my front quick hitch (weighs about 80 lbs). I never noticed any horrendous handling without the bucket, however, the front end will slide a little in corners when going uphill and turning tight.

I don't feel it's unsafe to mow without the bucket on, however, I do believe this machine handles better with it. On a machine such as yours, which weighs more than mine, I would not hesitate to mow without the bucket if it was more convenient for me to do so (such as to allow more trailer space).

 

[LHS Inc]

I have a 2520 and use an RC1060. I have mowed with the bucket on, off and with my front quick hitch (weighs about 80 lbs). I never noticed any horrendous handling without the bucket, however, the front end will slide a little in corners when going uphill and turning tight.

I don't feel it's unsafe to mow without the bucket on, however, I do believe this machine handles better with it. On a machine such as yours, which weighs more than mine, I would not hesitate to mow without the bucket if it was more convenient for me to do so (such as to allow more trailer space).

Thanks for the info Runner. It comes down to a trailer issue more than anything else. I'll give it a try without the bucket and see how it goes when I cut again in a couple of weeks.

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the info Runner. It comes down to a trailer issue more than anything else. I'll give it a try without the bucket and see how it goes when I cut again in a couple of weeks.

Always the best bet...try it and see how it works for you.
Ultimately, you might want to consider dropping the loader off and putting suitcase weights on the front.

 

[LHS Inc]

Always the best bet...try it and see how it works for you.
Ultimately, you might want to consider dropping the loader off and putting suitcase weights on the front.

Thanks Roy. Suitcase weights sound interesting. I hadn't put much thought into them. How many would it take to substitude the weight of my 300CX loader?

Would the tractor be more stable with the suitcase weights than the loader?

Without the loader on the tractor I would also be able to balance the weight on the trailer better.

Any idea how much the weights would cost?

Thanks again.

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks Roy. Suitcase weights sound interesting. I hadn't put much thought into them. How many would it take to substitude the weight of my 300CX loader?

Would the tractor be more stable with the suitcase weights than the loader?

Without the loader on the tractor I would also be able to balance the weight on the trailer better.

Any idea how much the weights would cost?

Thanks again.

Depending on the weight of your cutter, I'm thinking 4 or 5 suitcase weights (@ 42lb each) would be plenty. They're about a dollar or so per pound. Since you have a 60" cutter (I'm guessing 700lbs), 4 would probably do the job.
Used suitcase weights are hard to find...and not much cheaper then new, so you may as well go new.

As far as stability, using the suitcase weights would be would be more stable then the loader sans bucket. Most of the suitcase weight is below the axle. The loader frame is above the axle, hence higher center of gravity.

 

[megaboz]

I have a 2520 and have 90 lbs of weight and still run the fel with a howse 5ft brushog. And it isn't enough on some hills going up, especially if I have the brushog lefted off the ground. Granted the 3xxx series weighs more, but just saying the size of the kills will make a difference.

I agree that not having the fel makes the tractor feel more stable, but on a steep enough incline it is almost a must. Plus going down hill makes it a great emergency brake if the tires lose traction.

 

[p0peye]

Do some of you use the bucket lowered enough to gauge for large rocks or roots? I would think this would be a good use of the bucket to help save the bush hog a lot of bumps and bruises at least for the first pass. Sure you walk the area but some areas are so thick you will miss something I am sure. Is this a good idea if not why?

 

[RoyJackson]

Do some of you use the bucket lowered enough to gauge for large rocks or roots? I would think this would be a good use of the bucket to help save the bush hog a lot of bumps and bruises at least for the first pass. Sure you walk the area but some areas are so thick you will miss something I am sure. Is this a good idea if not why?

I always run with the bucket lowered for the reasons you wrote...this has been topic of more then one TBN thread.
However, the OP is asking about operating without the bucket so he can more easily transport the tractor/cutter on a trailer.

 

[LHS Inc]

Do some of you use the bucket lowered enough to gauge for large rocks or roots? I would think this would be a good use of the bucket to help save the bush hog a lot of bumps and bruises at least for the first pass. Sure you walk the area but some areas are so thick you will miss something I am sure. Is this a good idea if not why?

I agree its a great idea to run the bucket low to find any hidden obstacles/hazzards. It's a monthly job and I've already cut this one area twice with the bucket on so I feel comfortable with the condition of the field.

Its more of a trailer issue than anything else. I can fit it all on the trailer now as the pic below shows but I can't balance the laod. I thought about getting a longer trailer but to get one because of just one implement doesn't make much sense.

Roy's suggestion of suitcase weights have got me thinking and I'm leaning towards that. Gonna do some more research on it.

Also a pic of the slope I'm cutting on the two acre lot, the reason I still want weight on the front.

 

[Dutch445]

I think you are fine with just the tractor and the RC cutter. If it were an MX5
or an RC72 I would be more concerned. nice setup

 

[LHS Inc]

I think you are fine with just the tractor and the RC cutter. If it were an MX5
or an RC72 I would be more concerned. nice setup

Thanks

 

[Code54]

After seeing your photos I would not be concerned with cutting that with the bucket off and no weight. With the hog down in cutting position it should not be an issue at all. Nice looking setup!

 

[Mechanos]

I agree its a great idea to run the bucket low to find any hidden obstacles/hazzards. It's a monthly job and I've already cut this one area twice with the bucket on so I feel comfortable with the condition of the field.

Its more of a trailer issue than anything else. I can fit it all on the trailer now as the pic below shows but I can't balance the laod. I thought about getting a longer trailer but to get one because of just one implement doesn't make much sense.

Roy's suggestion of suitcase weights have got me thinking and I'm leaning towards that. Gonna do some more research on it.

Also a pic of the slope I'm cutting on the two acre lot, the reason I still want weight on the front.

Is the trailer currently nose heavy or tail heavy? Have you tried backing the tractor onto the trailer?