Hp Requirement for 84" Rear Discharge Finish Cutter

[predator500]

Hello, I have a Woods RD8400 rear discharge finish mower. I have it hooked to an older TO35 Ferguson now which seems to have enough horsepower, but has clutch problems so I'm looking at a clutch job over the winter, but in the meantime have been looking for another tractor.

With that said - what is the minimum horsepower tractor I could hook to this and still run it effectively? Our yard is relatively rough so I can't mow very fast, hence taking a big bite at a time with the 7' cut. Would a 25hp PTO diesel compact be enough or should I at least get a 30? It's all flat ground, I'd like to stay with a fairly lightweight frame tractor.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

 

[RoyJackson]

28-30 PTO HP should be good...30 PTO HP is what I have on my Deere 4400 when I ran an 84" Befco RFM.
The Befco weighed a bit more then 700 lbs. I replaced it with a Frontier (built by Woods) 72" RFM which weighed as much as the Befco, so I'd guess your 84" Woods mower goes 50-70 lbs more then my 84" mower did.
So, make sure the tractor you buy can handle the weight.

 

[art]

Stay over 30!

 

[ding2520]

Two years ago I purchased a Woods RD7200 and use it on my 2006 JD 2520. I have mowed two season with it now and can say that the 20.6 hp that my tractor PTO is rated at is sufficient to run it. I have some steeper areas in the yard that require the engagement of the front axle to make the climbs. If this is your first rear discharge mower you will love the fact that you can mow any direction, no windrows of grass to deal with. Of course you can never really have to much hp can you?

 

[predator500]

Thanks for the opinions. Yeah it's my first rear discharge and I had heard that they were lighter on horsepower requirements and good call on the no windrows either.

I agree on the never having enough horsepower sentiment and typically that's where I'd be. I used it behind a TC40DA New Holland and it didn't know it was there - I'm just thinking lighter is better for weight while mowing the yard. I didn't think about the capacity to lift the mower, that is a good point, the TO35 will lift it, but you can tell it's a load, I like that the mower is a four wheel design where those support a lot of the weight while mowing.

I've just been searching craigslist and come across things like 25hp Bolens or a deal on a BX Kubota - they look way too small, but wanted to ask you guys your thoughts.

Thanks again.