MX6 or MX7 with JD 4720

[jerrynycom]

Ok guys another question for you bush whackers......I am ordering my JD4720 and need to decide which cutter to get. I think I like the MX7 cause i can get closer to fences and trees, but some people say the 6 foot is better cause its the same size as my tractor....Whats your experiences???

I am cutting about 15 acres of flat fields, and some hills near the house that I dont do with the finish mower...

I also have barbed wired fences along some of the fields....

Any help is always appreciated!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Whats the price difference?

I've never cut with a 7 footer. I think they are the biggest blade diameter readily available. Both our tractors have cutters that fit behind them. The thought process with our heavily treed land is, if the tractor fits, the cutter will too. You can side shift it a bit with the lower arm support links.

I would say that a 6' will give your tractor a workout, especially if the stuff you are cutting is thick and high. You would probably have to slow a little for the 7 footer in the heavy stuff.

Make sure you get a slipper clutch model whatever you do. I recommend front and rear chain safety curtains too.

 

[jerrynycom]

Price difference is about $600 for the 7 footer......

 

[Z-Michigan]

Being farther from fences would be really nice. I suspect a 4720 will have enough hp to run the 7' in most conditions, but the weight of it may give you a workout. You may want a front weightbar to use with the 7' cutter. Even if you leave a FEL mounted all the time, you will probably either detach the bucket for mowing or lift it way up high to avoid hitting those fences, and in either case you'll have a lot less front weight than if you had the bucket on and lowered.

 

[ddivinia]

Ok guys another question for you bush whackers......I am ordering my JD4720 and need to decide which cutter to get. I think I like the MX7 cause i can get closer to fences and trees, but some people say the 6 foot is better cause its the same size as my tractor....Whats your experiences???

Closer to stuff is good.

Do you plan on trailering it? I went with a MX6 because it woudl fit between my trailer rails.




I am cutting about 15 acres of flat fields, and some hills near the house that I dont do with the finish mower...
----
That extra foot sure would be nice.


I also have barbed wired fences along some of the fields....
----
YOu will have a hard time getting very close with a MX-6. I use my MX-6 then spray some round up on the fence rows to keep them down.

D.

 

[timb]

I doubt your 4720 would blink twice with an MX6 - my 'mere' 4710 runs an MX6 just fine - even through dense four foot high grass/light brush. Your bigger problem with am MX7 will be weight/balance. It's really too heavy for this sized tractor (check your implement codes and factory rec's for front ballast with various implements).

You may be better off with an MX8 (semi-mount). You'd still have enough hp - and the balance is much better (two blades, it's much shorter). Again - a few years ago here more than one 4710 owner ran an MX8 and you've got a lot more grunt in that 4720.

 

[ddivinia]

I doubt your 4720 would blink twice with an MX6 - my 'mere' 4710 runs an MX6 just fine - even through dense four foot high grass/light brush. Your bigger problem with am MX7 will be weight/balance. It's really too heavy for this sized tractor (check your implement codes and factory rec's for front ballast with various implements).>

I believe the mX6 is the largest they rate it for, but you know how that goes.

An MX8 would rock. They are a lot more money. Maybe a MX6 and a MX8?

D.

 

[ClemBert]

I have a MX6 mounted on my JD 5320. I considered the MX7 but went with the MX6 because the width of it matches the width of the tractor. Thus, when I mow near the fences I know that I can get as close as the front and rear tires without worrying about hitting a fence post with the mower. I never need to look behind me to see how close I am...just pay attention to the tires. The one thing I do not like about the MX6 is that it only came with one wheel in the back. When you do a quick turn I've noticed the mower deck tends to tilt to one side (just a inch perhaps). This is a problem with mowing very close to the ground because the side skirt ends up digging into the ground when making quick turns. I believe on the MX7 there are two rear wheels so I assume it would not have the same problem because the extra wheel on the mower and the way they are spaced should prevent the tilting I speak of. I wish I could have two wheels mounted on the back of my MX6.

 

[Turkeyman]

I have 4720 with a M6 and it pulls with no problem, and I do most of my mowing at 16-1800 rpms. Also, have demoed a MX8 (3 pt) and it worked fine, but I did have my 4 in 1 on for counter weight and fluid filled front tires. This tractor regulary runs my Brown tree cutter (1600lb) with a 300lb blade holder.

 

[VA Rebel]

Go for the 7'er. You won't have any problem with it. If you get in too thick of grass, just use less of the bush hog, around 5' of it or so. As far as the weight goes, I don't mind the front being a little light, nothing dangerous, just a little bit.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think the problem with the 7 footer is the mass is too far back behind the 3 point.

 

[Kahuna]

I have had both. I had the older style JD 7 foot mower that was built like a tank and really heavy. I had it behind a 65 hp large frame tractor and it was about all it wanted to handle. The mower finally rusted out and the slip clutch was constantly freezing up from 30 years outside so one day (after twisting off the PTO shaft for about the 3rd or 4th time) I just drove the tractor to JD dealership and said I wanted a new mower. They only had the MX6 available although I wanted the MX7.

I took the MX6 and have had no regrets. I would absolutely recommend the MX6, especially on your size tractor. It is lighter in weight and so much more easier to handle. I thought I wanted the mower wider than the tractor but with the 7 footer, I really had to watch close not to hit anything. With the 6 footer I can get right up to something with the back wheel and make a nice close cut.

I would not tax your tractor with extra weight and horsepower drain. It is always good to have a little extra for the tough spots.

 

[michiglenn]

I have the MX6 and that is at the high end of weight I want hanging off the back. I leave the loader on, but there are times the front tires lack good bite. So far I haven't had a problem, but I don't like that light feel in front. I don't know how much more the MX7 weighs, but I would expect that the weight increase plus more length (hence more leverage) would put it into pucker mode too much for me. Horsepower is there even with my 4320, that would not be your concern. My rears are loaded, but that probably would'nt affect anything.