I have alot of pasture I want to mow and I only have a 5' rotary cutter. It's taking too much time to mow. I want to upgrade. I have a 75 hp tractor. Should I get a 3pt 7' single blade, a 10' tow behind, or an 8' flail? I don't have any experience with mowers other than the 5' mower I have now. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a two behind compared to a 3 pt?
My Cutter Is Too Small
- Thread starter Believer
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Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Wow...5' on a 75hp tractor? Talk about UNDERkill.....
Pull type mowers allow you to use a HEAVY mower without the issues of weight hanging on the back of the tractor (like a 3-point mower would add) They're alsojust a tick less manueverable in awkward situations. (It's tough to beat a 3-point mower in an "obstical course") The learning curve for using a trailer type mower isn't too involved. A days worth of use and they become second nature.
Out of the choices you mention, I'd opt for the 10' trailer type mower. Flails do a WONDERFUL job, but CAN require more maintenance and upkeep if mowing in hostile conditions. (BTDT, demo-ed an Alamo commercial grade flail mower last year for hwy mowing.)
If the object is to speed up the mowing, you want the biggest mower that is practical. Again, I'd opt for the 10'er. JMHO, and worth every bit of what you paid for it......
Pull type mowers allow you to use a HEAVY mower without the issues of weight hanging on the back of the tractor (like a 3-point mower would add) They're alsojust a tick less manueverable in awkward situations. (It's tough to beat a 3-point mower in an "obstical course") The learning curve for using a trailer type mower isn't too involved. A days worth of use and they become second nature.
Out of the choices you mention, I'd opt for the 10' trailer type mower. Flails do a WONDERFUL job, but CAN require more maintenance and upkeep if mowing in hostile conditions. (BTDT, demo-ed an Alamo commercial grade flail mower last year for hwy mowing.)
If the object is to speed up the mowing, you want the biggest mower that is practical. Again, I'd opt for the 10'er. JMHO, and worth every bit of what you paid for it......
Ken45101
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I certainly would NOT move up to just a 7'. You're not gaining that much and you have to horsepower to go bigger.
I've been going through the same issue here, with just a 6' cutter. I considered 8' not worth the bother. So I was debating 10', 12' or 15'. I decided to go with a 15' batwing...and a new tractor to pull it. The combo is supposed to arrive today.
Ken
I've been going through the same issue here, with just a 6' cutter. I considered 8' not worth the bother. So I was debating 10', 12' or 15'. I decided to go with a 15' batwing...and a new tractor to pull it. The combo is supposed to arrive today.
Ken
Builder
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Go big or go home. I want to get my jobs done as fast as I can without buying TOO big. I agree with above, 7' won't make that much difference.
Seen the bush hog flex wing cutters? You can fold a wing for tight areas. 10-12' no problem
Bush Hog® - Performance You Can Count On
Seen the bush hog flex wing cutters? You can fold a wing for tight areas. 10-12' no problem
Bush Hog® - Performance You Can Count On
ddivinia
Elite Member
How much pasture do you have?
Is it flat?
Do you have to do ditches?
I would consider a tow behind and a batwing style. I bought a 15' batwing mower and it is out standing.
D.
sandman2234
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Granted the five footer is underkill, but if you have much in the way of woods and tight places, I would keep it as a back up to do the trim-work that a larger one will have trouble with. Only you will know your circumstances as to being able to afford to keep it, have room to keep it, and have enough work to justify keeping the smaller one, in addition to buying a larger one. Even on highway work, the big batwings are supported by a smaller mower to catch the tight spots.
David from jax
David from jax
Thanks guys. There's an auction site close to me that has a number of state mowers. They're batwings but only a wing on one side. So the width is 10' with one wing; everything seems to be there and nothing extra. Are they good to mow that way?
