Ford 1720 with 6' Bush Hog RDTH72 finish mower?

[titus211]

Hello folks,

My wife and I just built a house on 3 acres and need a mowing rig. I purchased a used Ford 1720 (28 hp, 23.5 hp PTO) with a 12 gear shuttle shift, about 1900 hours, and turf tires. I'm now looking to get a finishing mower for it. I've borrowed a 5' finishing mower (not sure on the brand - it's so old all the labels have long since rusted away) and the Ford pulls it like a champ. In fact, I'm always all grins when I'm using it; it's surprisingly relaxing.

So my question is this: I've found a used Bush Hog RDTH72 6 foot mower for $750. It looks to have some rust, but otherwise in good condition. Is this too much of a mower for my tractor? I've browsed around and opinions seem to be mixed; I see the "4-5 PTO hp per foot of mower" rule, and this is right on the threshold. And does $750 seem reasonable?

Thanks!

 

[tcreeley]

I have a TC30 - 30 hp and pull a 5' International World Agritech with it. It does that fine. I'm not sure I would want to try a 6' bush hog. I tow my bush hog, I think a pto bush hog would be even harder on a tractor.
I paid 500 for mine here in Maine- used. Solid- 1/4" and 3/16" steel welded and heavy. I'd stick with 5 feet and keep looking-

Tractor supply sells this new for $950. I think $750 is a bit much for a used one.
CountyLineｮ Rotary Cutter, 5 ft. W - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[Will_C]

You should be fine on power, especially if you be mowing your lawn as needed. As far as the price, if the mower is mechanically sound, it's about right.

Will

 

[square1]

Keeping a lawn manicured, you'll be okay but 6' will be a bit much if you get into anything heavy. You may have to drop a gear or two to keep mowing in that event. I used 5 HP & $100 per foot to size & price mine, but it's not a finish mower.

 

[titus211]

I have a TC30 - 30 hp and pull a 5' International World Agritech with it. It does that fine. I'm not sure I would want to try a 6' bush hog. I tow my bush hog, I think a pto bush hog would be even harder on a tractor.
I paid 500 for mine here in Maine- used. Solid- 1/4" and 3/16" steel welded and heavy. I'd stick with 5 feet and keep looking-

Tractor supply sells this new for $950. I think $750 is a bit much for a used one.
CountyLineï½® Rotary Cutter, 5 ft. W - Tractor Supply Co.

tcreely - that's a rotary cutter; I'm looking at finish mowers. Looks like the equivalent CountyLine is $1499 at TSC: CountyLine® Finish Mower, 6 ft. W
Will_C and square1 - that seems to be the consensus; if you keep the grass under control, 6' will be fine. I can always drop into a lower gear or overlap less that 6' if the grass is taller, right?

I also found a 6' Land Pride that looks to be in great (almost like-new) condition for $900. The Bush Hog looked a bit beat up and had some weld repairs on it so I think I'll pass on it.

 

[Cub 7274]

My Cub Cadet 7274 pulls a 6ft finish mower with no problem especially if it's a rear discharge mower

 

[titus211]

My Cub Cadet 7274 pulls a 6ft finish mower with no problem especially if it's a rear discharge mower

That makes me feel better; The 7274 closely matches the Ford 1720. Cub, how high grass do you mow? At what point have you noticed it bogging down (if at all)? Does wet grass slow you down significantly?
And yes, I'm only looking at rear discharge finish mowers.

 

[Cub 7274]

It made a big difference(bogging) going from side discharge to rear and I have cut some heavy wet grass with it and they are were both Buhler Farm Kings which I have had great luck with.
Hope that helps

 

[titus211]

It made a big difference(bogging) going from side discharge to rear and I have cut some heavy wet grass with it and they are were both Buhler Farm Kings which I have had great luck with.
Hope that helps

That does help. Makes me more comfortable getting a 6' over a 5'. Thanks.

 

[square1]

I can always drop into a lower gear or overlap less that 6' if the grass is taller, right?

Right! Normally I run 2nd gear / 3rd range, or 3/2, but there's times I've dropped to 1st gear / range 2 while clearing a meadow that has been neglected for 20 + years with a 5' brush hog. In my case it's hard to tell that taking a narrower swath would have been prudent until I'm already in the middle of something thick, with a previously tamed area like a lawn it should be easier.