Mowing L3400 Rotary Cutter

[Johnret]

New owner of a 2009 L3400, am looking at getting a new rotary cutter and what to make sure I get the most efficiency out of the new mower, what size should I be looking for. I will be mowing about 12 acres pasture pretty flat with a couple on medium slopes. The l3400 has a loader on it but no weight in the wheels.

 

[easygo]

I think you would be able to pull a 5 ft brush hog through grass of any height and a 6 ft if you don't let the field grow way too long. Even then you could just take a smaller bite.

If you can get wheel weights that is great. If not then may be get the tires filled.

 

[ckane]

just bought a Land Pride 60 inch with slip clutch. LOVE IT!!! fits perfectly behind your tractor:thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

Go with a 5'er.

The speed at which you can mow the field is dependent on the HP of the tractor and not the size of the cutter.

If you can take a full pass with a 6 footer, you could take a full pass with a 5 footer at a faster speed and still get done in the same amount of time.

A 5'er will cover the wheel tracks and not be too heavy. A 6'er on the otherhand, you WILL need to add front weights to keep the front down and be able to turn with the mower raised. Even a 5 footer it is nice to have a loader or weights because these tractors are light and don't turn well with that much weight hanging off the back.

With a 6' hog, you also run into a little "tail wagging the dog" syndrome.

 

[EThogfarmer]

I use a 5' Bushhog brand squealer (about 600 lbs) on my L3700. The tractor seems well balanced and can handle anything that is within the range of the cutters' capacity. My 3700 has weighted R4s and a FEL.

I can't comment on how it would handle a 6' as I haven't had one on it. My 6' cutter (1000 lbs +) is way too heavy for it.

 

[TripleR]

Can't beat the advice you have gotten. I have Land Pride and Woods and am very happy with them.

 

[Johnret]

Thanks for all the advise, I think I will go with the 5 footer...

 

[Buzzard81]

I have a 2009 L3400 also and I bought a Bush Hog Squealer 160, 60 inch rotary cutter with a slip clutch, It's a good cutter and good match for the 3400.

 

[Chilly807]

I have a Land Pride 1860 cutter for my 3400. Seems to be a good match all around. I've mowed some pretty thick meadow grass with it, enough to give the tractor something to think about. I've never had a situation where the 3400 ran out of power with the mower, but it was definitely loaded up a bit.

I usually mow with the FEL off for better turning ability. The cutter weighs 660 lbs, I don't think I'd want a lot more weight back there over rough ground.

Sean

 

[montelatici]

I have a L3700, a similar tractor and would not want anything heavier than the Woods 60 inch that I have on it. It really needs the FEL attached or the front will get really light. It got a little hairy when I removed the FEL. If you don't have an FEL get some weights for the front.

 

[Jon Chanoski]

My 08 L3400 handles my 6ft light duty brushhog 770lbs. with 220lbs. on the front very stable and can mow through anything you can run over. As to going faster with a 5ft mower I an running 3rd &4th and don't think I would want to go much fast with this size tractor

 

[LD1]

My 08 L3400 handles my 6ft light duty brushhog 770lbs. with 220lbs. on the front very stable and can mow through anything you can run over. As to going faster with a 5ft mower I an running 3rd &4th and don't think I would want to go much fast with this size tractor

Is that 3 &4 Low or High???

Cause about the slowest I go with my 5'er is 4L, and thats ONLY If I get into real heavy stuff. 1 or 2 High is about right for the average stuff.

But it all depends on where you are bushhogging. There is a big difference between knocking down some trails in the woods and mowing an open and flat 5+ acre field. 3L would just seem to take forever. But then again, I wouldn't want a 6' cutter trying to manuver in the woods to cut trails.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm usually in 3 or 4 low for most stuff, 1 or 2 high in light grass and smooth fields. The quality of cut isn't as good in high range, even at 540 or higher PTO speed.

I much prefer the tractor with the loader off for bush hogging, steering is lighter and more responsive, plus it's easier to get into corners. Quite a bit more vibration at idle though, the loader soaks up a lot of that.

Sean

 

[Code54]

you could do a 6' but the 5' is a much safer better

 

[Code54]

you could do a 6" but the 5" is a much safer better

 

[Jon Chanoski]

Is that 3 &4 Low or High???

Cause about the slowest I go with my 5'er is 4L, and thats ONLY If I get into real heavy stuff. 1 or 2 High is about right for the average stuff.

But it all depends on where you are bushhogging. There is a big difference between knocking down some trails in the woods and mowing an open and flat 5+ acre field. 3L would just seem to take forever. But then again, I wouldn't want a 6' cutter trying to manuver in the woods to cut trails.

It is low range Here in western PA we have a lot of hills and most of the fields are ruff enough to thow you out of the seat in 2nd hi. even worse with the foam filled tires on my tractor but no more flats. Alot of the stuff I mow is rose bushes brush and small trees 6to8ft tall If I was mowing the pasture and it was flat I could see going faster.