MX4800 and LP RCF2772 cutter. Is it enough HP?

[sea2summit]

Won't have any issues. Running a 6' brushhog or 7' finish mower my MX doesn't even know they're back there, if anything I wish they were a little big so I didn't feel like I was over reving and underloading the engine.

 

[tradosaurus]

Newbie here... first time to own a tractor and/or any implements. Just purchased a lightly used 2017 Kubota MX4800 4WD & FEL with 450 hours on it. Separately bought a Land Pride RCF2772 rotary cutter that weighs 1072lbs. Is MX4800 strong enough for such a heavy cutter (6') or should I upgrade before I put any more hours on the tractor? My dealer has a Kubota M5660SU 4WD with FEL and only 13 hours on it.

I have about 13 acres of flat pasture land to cut and every so often move round hay bales. Main concern is:does my tractor has enough power for the cutter? Don't want to get bogged down every 5 minutes while cutting. My location is outside of the Dallas area.

Need your expertise please!

I actually mowed with a L3301 and a RCR2660. Now that I have my MX5400 its even better.
Your MX4800 will do great.

 

[loggin]

Good point! I didn't think about looking into the recommended weight limitations.

I believe my manual states 1,000 pounds max for rear implements on MX4700, if I remember correctly. Would be worth a glance at your manual.

 

[LD1]

no issues

 

[GTT99]

One more quick question, what gear would you choose when pulling the cutter?
Mine is a shuttle shift transmission.

 

[LD1]

One more quick question, what gear would you choose when pulling the cutter?
Mine is a shuttle shift transmission.

Too many variables s to answers.

7mph is gonna be about the max speed to get a good cut. Then many factors make you slow down....rough terrain, mowing close to stuff, dense vegetation, etc. Slow down as needed. Speed up when conditions permit

 

[GTT99]

Too many variables s to answers.

7mph is gonna be about the max speed to get a good cut. Then many factors make you slow down....rough terrain, mowing close to stuff, dense vegetation, etc. Slow down as needed. Speed up when conditions permit

Just to provide a little more context. I have about 13 flat acres, not stomps or rocks. A few Mesquite tree saplings, the grass is mostly coastal Bermuda, a have 2 donkeys and 2 longhorns, they keep the grass low.

Which out of 4 gears shoud l I use? Do I use low speed (turtle) or high speed (rabbit) with whatever gear you recommend?

Thanks everyone!

 

[JWR]

With the 8 speed shuttle (stick) transmission you have there is no such thing as the turtle or rabbit as seen on hydrostatic lawn machines for slow and fast. You select the gear that fits what you are doing and use it. Your trans is probably a 4 speed stick with a high and low range. The high and low range might even be labeled with a turtle and rabbit which is irrelevant. Lowest gear (greatest mechanical advantage) is first gear, low range. Highest (fastest but least mechanical advantage) is 4th gear in high range.

Very likely shifting gears within the 1/2/3/4 positions is synchronized (meaning it won't scrape and make a nasty noise when shifting among those gears while moving.) Shifting between low and high range is probably NOT synchronized and that means you need to stop to shift ranges. Dear me, read the operator's manual.

No one can tell you which one. Just do it. It will become natural for you to pick a medium rpm engine speed around the standard rated rpm for the engine and tractor (read your operator manual!), then select a gear, let out on the clutch and proceed. If it feels to you like it is struggling or lugging down, shift to a lower gear. If it feels like it is too easy for the tractor, shift to a higher gear or back off on the throttle. You may or may not need to shift a few times as you maneuver over your pasture while cutting. You just gotta get out there and get some experience. No one can proscribe this for you.

I am going to ask an important (and certainly not meant to be offensive, ) question: Have you driven standard transmission cars/trucks or tractors before? That makes a big difference in fully seeing your situation.

 

[LD1]

Just to provide a little more context. I have about 13 flat acres, not stomps or rocks. A few Mesquite tree saplings, the grass is mostly coastal Bermuda, a have 2 donkeys and 2 longhorns, they keep the grass low.

Which out of 4 gears shoud l I use? Do I use low speed (turtle) or high speed (rabbit) with whatever gear you recommend?

Thanks everyone!

Im trying to tell you.....as fast as you can. Slow down when conditions permit.

Its not a pick one gear and never change deal. You ARE allowed to shift while in operation.

NO ONE can answer the question PERIOD. You just have to figure out what works best for you. Pick a gear....if you feel its too slow and think you can handle a little more speed......upshift a gear or two. If you pick a gear and find out you are having a hard time staying on the seat because the pasture is so rough.....downshift a gear or two. Not rocket science at all

 

[sea2summit]

Just to provide a little more context. I have about 13 flat acres, not stomps or rocks. A few Mesquite tree saplings, the grass is mostly coastal Bermuda, a have 2 donkeys and 2 longhorns, they keep the grass low.

Which out of 4 gears shoud l I use? Do I use low speed (turtle) or high speed (rabbit) with whatever gear you recommend?

Thanks everyone!

No one can answer that. It's likely going to change every time you mow depending on terrain, how thick the growth is, 2WD vs 4WD, how many obstacles you need to maneuver around (power steering draw), any moisture (dew), even the air temperature may impact it. Gotta listen to the tractor and what it's doing and get the most out of it you can.

 

[GTT99]

With the 8 speed shuttle (stick) transmission you have there is no such thing as the turtle or rabbit as seen on hydrostatic lawn machines for slow and fast. You select the gear that fits what you are doing and use it. Your trans is probably a 4 speed stick with a high and low range. The high and low range might even be labeled with a turtle and rabbit which is irrelevant. Lowest gear (greatest mechanical advantage) is first gear, low range. Highest (fastest but least mechanical advantage) is 4th gear in high range.

Very likely shifting gears within the 1/2/3/4 positions is synchronized (meaning it won't scrape and make a nasty noise when shifting among those gears while moving.) Shifting between low and high range is probably NOT synchronized and that means you need to stop to shift ranges. Dear me, read the operator's manual.

No one can tell you which one. Just do it. It will become natural for you to pick a medium rpm engine speed around the standard rated rpm for the engine and tractor (read your operator manual!), then select a gear, let out on the clutch and proceed. If it feels to you like it is struggling or lugging down, shift to a lower gear. If it feels like it is too easy for the tractor, shift to a higher gear or back off on the throttle. You may or may not need to shift a few times as you maneuver over your pasture while cutting. You just gotta get out there and get some experience. No one can proscribe this for you.

I am going to ask an important (and certainly not meant to be offensive, ) question: Have you driven standard transmission cars/trucks or tractors before? That makes a big difference in fully seeing your situation.

Thank you for the detailed response. It's been a very long time since I drove a manual transmission car but I do have some experience.

 

[azbinder]

Keep in mind thar for the cutter to operate properly, you will want to keep the engine at the required speed. If you need to slow down, DO NOT throttle down but downshift gears.

 

[3gunr]

Depends on how many gears you have an 8x8 or 12x12, on my shuttle i normally use 3rd or fourth gear in mid range, Dependingon how rough the ground is .

 

[GTT99]

Depends on how many gears you have an 8x8 or 12x12, on my shuttle i normally use 3rd or fourth gear in mid range, Dependingon how rough the ground is .

So here is what I have: 4 gears shifter (+Neutral), a lever with Low (turtle)-Fast (Rabbit), and a lever with Forward/Neutral/Reverse.

 

[LD1]

So here is what I have: 4 gears shifter (+Neutral), a lever with Low (turtle)-Fast (Rabbit), and a lever with Forward/Neutral/Reverse.

Great. Still cant answer the question. Just go try it and find what gear you like

 

[loggin]

So here is what I have: 4 gears shifter (+Neutral), a lever with Low (turtle)-Fast (Rabbit), and a lever with Forward/Neutral/Reverse.

I would say stay away from high range and stick with the first 4 gears low range especially initially until you get a feel for things. 1st gear high range might do but depending on terrain and density of grass might be a bit fast. This also depends on which tires you have, ag, industrial or turf. Turf tires have the smallest circumference and would allow you to choose a higher gear. 2nd gear high range will likely be too fast and start latling things apart.

Hope this helps!!

 

[GTT99]

I would say stay away from high range and stick with the first 4 gears low range especially initially until you get a feel for things. 1st gear high range might do but depending on terrain and density of grass might be a bit fast. This also depends on which tires you have, ag, industrial or turf. Turf tires have the smallest circumference and would allow you to choose a higher gear. 2nd gear high range will likely be too fast and start latling things apart.

Hope this helps!!

I have R1 Ag tires. Mowed yesterday, mostly in 1st gear high range, every so often switching to 3rd gear in low range. Thanks for the advice!

 

[JWR]

I have R1 Ag tires. Mowed yesterday, mostly in 1st gear high range, every so often switching to 3rd gear in low range. Thanks for the advice!

Good ! Super instructive to you I am sure. That is very much my own routine gear wise (using a larger tractor and a 7ft bush hog.) I too have an 8 speed shuttle like yours, really a 4 speed with a high and low range. One nuisance with mine (on rougher pasture fields) is that I seem to spend a large % of time right in that speed area wanting to be between 4th gear low range and low gear high range exactly as you described. The nuisance is having to stop to shift between low and high range because that is not synchronized.

 

[rbargeron]

I'm with everybody who is saying to get more seat time with what you have. A tractor, like your other tools, helps you manage your physical environment. How it fits your sensibilities can only be known with experience in your particular setting. If a heavier M-series is still calling to you in a year or two, maybe you'll want a second tractor, not a different one

 

[GTT99]

Please someone talk to my wife and convince her that I need a second tractor!!!