John Deere 513-613 model mowers.

[AKfish]

Are the JD '13 mowers a light-duty or medium duty mower? I have found specs for the '03 and '16 and '06 mowers but no info for the model 13 mowers. How might they compare to the LX or MX models? Thanks for any info. AKfish

 

[beenthere]

AK
I have the 513 rotary and some will call it light duty, and as they come stock, I would too. I beefed mine up, as others have done, to add some support to the rear steel 'curtain' and (IMO) turns it into a medium duty cutter. I can now back into about anything and once the cutter is over it, it's gone.
As they come stock, the rear steel curtain will bend easily and needs to be stiffened up, especially if it is used as I do, and back into the brush (avoids driving over it first).
They compare to the LX models, not the MX.

Pic attached showing mine with the reinforced curtain edge.

 

[AKfish]

beenthere; Appreciate the info. I've got a line on a 513 but don't know a great deal about them. Sounds like a pretty good cutter based upon your experience. Machinefinder lists a number of them and they range from about $500 to $1000. So, there's a good spread in cost depending upon year and condition. Was the last year that model was built ; 2001? Thanks again. Akfish

 

[beenthere]

I got mine in '99, and maybe 2001 or thereabouts - but real close to that year when they switched to the L's. No complaints about mine, especially with the beefed up parts. A used one will probably be looking a bit ugly along the back. The rest of it should be pretty good. I'd consider cutting the bent curtain off and welding a new piece on, or hang some chain back there.

 

[ronjhall]

Here is the original picture you posted a couple years ago. Click Here I have not done the upgrade yet. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif But it's on the list. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I paid about $1000 for my 513 with slip clutch and front guard chains.

 

[AKfish]

ronjhall, that's the asking price for the mower up here. If the machine's not too badly beat up -- guess it might not be a bad deal. Got a good friend who's a magician with a welder.

 

[jrdellaratta]

I'm in the process of getting rid of mine---tradining it in for an LX6 with a slip clutch. The 513 proved a little light for my tastes, and as it came with a shear-bolt set-up and I was frequently busting bolts.

 

[DK35vince]

I owned a JD 513 cutter when I started clearing my 15 acres.
It mowed a nice cut for field grass, but was far to light duty when I started clearing brush. (rear of the cutter would bend/fold under, sides dented and bulged out).
I replaced my 513 cutter a King Kutter 6' brush mower w/slip clutch .
I paid around the same or less for the 6' King Kutter with slip clutch as I did for the 5' 513 cutter with slip clutch. And the King kutter has held up far, far better.
My opinion.

 

[tpost]

They are very light duty....they cut great but will not stand much in the way of backing into IE: 2" diameter saplings...if you back into a small stump etc and catch the edge of the brushhog on the stump you are more than likely going to bend the brushhog,they are decent mowers once they have been beefed up some.Compare the price of a 13 and then price another brand I would not spend as much on the 13 as I would a Land Pride,Woods etc. Back when I bought my 513 new the LX and MX were not available..I bought the 513 new as part of a package when I bought my tractor and paid way more for the 513 than I should have for the quality when compared to the other brushhogs on the market.

 

[AKfish]

Your opinions are duly noted and appreciated. I would really like to have a 6' brush-hog type cutter anyway; but this 513 is now available and I am in Alaska, afterall.... I'm in the early stages of land-clearing and establishing pastures. Likely to be a number of years before I finish everything that merits the satisfaction of the "woman who let's me sleep here" but I enjoy the challange! I'll probably keep my eyes open and try to be a little more patient. Maybe come across a 6 footer. Thanks for the discussion. AKfish