Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage?

   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #1  

trook

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Messages
455
Location
North Central Mississippi
Tractor
JD 5075E Cab
For those of you with a hydrostatic transmission on the 4000 series cabs, do you feel the hydrostatic transmission is suitable for brush cutting 15 acres of moderate brush/pasture at a time? Does this cause excessive heat for the transmission compared to a power reverser transmission? I am considering the 4720 with a mx6 or pull behind mx8/10ft cutter.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #2  
trook,
I often pull my heavy landplane and box blade all day long with my 4520 cab, never have had a heating issue with the ehydro transmission. I also operated my MX6 with this tractor to cut some three year growth on 12 acres with no problems either. As long as you keep the screens and radiator clean you should be in good shape. I would suspect you will have more issues with chaff or grass clippings than any hydrostatic over heating issue. A lot depends on the grass you have to cut.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #3  
15 acres is a pretty small area. If your tractor couldn't handle that then John Deere won't be in business for much longer! I would think any decent tractor is engineered to run at full pto speed at a high load all day. Just don't pull anything heavy all day with a hydro.
 
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   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #4  
I wouldn't think a bushhog would have any effect on the HST as far as causing overheating due to the ease of pulling it. Ground engaging equipment like disc or subsoilers could overload it but as long as you get the right gear for the work and don't stall or semi-stall it , it should work all day long without a problem. Just watch the radiator and keep it cleaned, that is what will be your issue with cutting tall grass and weeds. It may not take very long either to stop up your screens so keep a close watch on the water temp. gauge and if it starts to climb toward the red, stop and clean the radiator screens. You may have to take compressed air/water hose and back blow the radiator to get some of the chaff out that will for sure slip thru the screen.

15 acres is not a large area and likely not more than 3-4 hours work at most so if your tractor cant handle 4 hours of light duty work, get rid of it and get a real workhorse tractor.
Edit PS: Do you really think you need a 10 foot cutter to cut 15 acres of pasture. We cut 40 acres with a 6 foot cutter. I could not justify spending that kind of money to save an hour of cutting time on only 15 acres and your proposed 4720 tractor would be on the edge of being underpowered with an 8 foot cutter.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #5  
I have a 6' bush hog behind my 4300 Hydro. I could cut all day and all night and all day and all night, stop for fuel, repeat. I agree about bush hog size. 6' will cut 15 acres in a flash with a 4720. Semi sharp blades and you'll make quick time of it all.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks for your input, guys.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #7  
A good Friend and Neighbor of ours mows his 20 acres, his SIL's 15 acres and another Neighbor's every year. He has a JD with HST, and I have seen him at work. To my knowledge, to hasn't encouned any problems.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #8  
I have a 3320 and run a MX6. Usually mow between 10-20 acres of 2' tall grass a day in the summer....zero problems. I run in low range just because with the grass as tall as it is, I can't go fast anyways, and like every one else mentioned, I keep the rad as clean as possible.
 
   / Is Hydrostatic Transmission ok for Brush Cutting Large Acreage? #9  
If this JD L118 can do it.......
 

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