Quick Hitches Hardee E 52LT Rotary Cutter Questions

[Nacademus]

Hello.

I picked up a Hardee 52LT Rotary Cutter, today.

Originally, the ad said it was a small 4ft cutter and only showed one photo. The seller wasn't too keen on all the specifics but I took a gamble and drove an hour and a half one way to go see it. It's a little big. I think it's going to be too big for my Massey Ferguson GC1720-which was my intended use. My friend and I both have GC1720s. He also has a Ford 2600. We figured it could be a good fit for that and went half in on it.

It's a real heavy duty unit and it's in pretty decent shape considering the age.

I really would like something smaller for my subcompact. Is there any chance in heck that this could work? I looked at some units Rural King is selling but they're so expensive and I don't think the steel decks will last on them.

Anyone have insight on my situation, or have any experience with this particular unit?

Thanks!!

 

[Nacademus]

Anybody?

 

[hosspuller]

I've had a Hardee for 22 years. If your tractor can pick it up, you're good to go. You don't have to use the whole width in heavy growth. Or go fast. Regulate the horsepower needed with either cutting width or speed.

 

[Nacademus]

I'm concerned that the width
between the pins may be too wide. I haven't test fit it yet. It just looks big.

 

[hosspuller]

You can reverse the pins to the inside if too wide. Also if your 3 point is a 0 size, and the Hardee is #1, simply replace the pins to match.

 

[Nacademus]

I thought about that!! I wasn't sure if I could or not. That makes things a little better! I'll try it!

 

[hosspuller]

Your 1720 should lift 1150 pounds at the 3 point. And it's a #1

 

[Nacademus]

So, I should be OK?

 

[hosspuller]

yes...

 

[Nacademus]

Sweet. Thanks. I can't find anywhere that tells me what this cutter weighs but the loader lifted it-so I assume it's not going to weigh tooooo much

 

[hosspuller]

Change the oil in the gear box. Then you know it's good starting out. Check it again after using it a bit to make sure the seal is holding the oil.

If there's a slip clutch, service it. After years, they have a habit of freezing up. You want it to slip instead of breaking your PTO when you hit something. Good luck and enjoy your new tool.

 

[Nacademus]

Seems like it works great. Tractor had no problem at all.

I mounted new pins on the lower level after enlarging the holes to fit. I bought a new drive shaft and cut it down. Added a slip clutch as well.

All I have left to do is fix the rear wheel and maybe figure out if I want to use chain to maintain the cutter angle. I also need to add some spare small chain to keep the PTO protective casing from spinning.

 

[Nacademus]

Second day and first real test of this setup. Seems to handle the cutter great and isn't short on power.

Only issue is that I managed to stall the tractor when the cutter bared down and dug into a hump of clay or ant hill or something. I'll probably need to adjust the clutch a little more.

 

[darmstrong2319]

Looks like it’s doing a nice job

 

[cglaser104]

You should be fine on PTO HP for that unit. Moving the pins down probably helped your lifting geometry a ton. I uses a full 5' JD Gyramor 205 on my smaller GC1710 with absolutely no issues. Glad it's working out!

PS: clean it up and put a fresh coat of Massey Red on that thing, will ya? Lol