newb question on rotary cutters

[yellowzx01]

Hi guys. I'm new to the whole tractor scene. I've been around backhoe's and excavators but not really around tractors. I've recently got a tractor that I am going to use around the farm to clear brush on roads and things like that. The tractor I got is a 1960's Massey Ferguson MF50 I believe.

I'm pretty sure it's a 50 HP tractor. So does that mean I have 50 hp motor or does it mean I have a 50hp PTO?

I am going to buy a (what I call) brush hog, but I think the correct term for it is a rotary cutter from what I read. I want to go with a slipper clutch instead of a shear pin. I also think a 6' one will be the best size for what I am going to use it for.

There is a few places around here that sell them. The brands I was looking at was Farm Force I believe and Mahindra which is supposed to be made by kodiak I think and international.

The Farm force and International has an 80hp gear box and the Mahindra has a 90hp gearbox.

I'm really not sure if there will be much different in the 10hp in the gear box. I assume the 50hp tractor would run those ok.

Would of of these cutters be better than the other? Most of the stuff we are going to be cutting is just old logging roads that we have kept clean with chain saws but it would just be easier with the tractor and cutter.

Thanks for all the info.

Josh

 

[JCB]

Josh,

Growing up tractors were always PTO hp. That's only changed recently as the manufacturers have gotten into marketing and hp races. For the most part the engine vs PTO is usually pretty close and in your case you've probably got 50 PTO hp, although the MF could be a little tired and dropped a couple hp by now...no big deal.

Slip clutches are nice, really nice, but a used rotary cutter not having one shouldn't be a deal breaker. You'll probably break a lot more shear pins on a tiller or snowblower than a rotary cutter. Plan on needing a couple a year.

You're tractor probably wouldn't have the power to tear up either gear box, so you've probably ok either way. For me it'd be one of those things where you look at it and make a gut decision which one looks better quality.

I've only got a little 4' deere cutter and it's pretty nice, but not super heavy duty. I'm amazed by what that cutter can do. It'll do little saplings, and tall nasty weeds all day long. It'll make trails through stuff you wouldn't even walk through. Most any cutter will probably surprise you, but if I knew I was going to use a cutter hard I'd get the biggest, heaviest I could find/afford.

Hope that helped.

Joe

 

[sweettractors]

Hi guys. I'm new to the whole tractor scene. I've been around backhoe's and excavators but not really around tractors. I've recently got a tractor that I am going to use around the farm to clear brush on roads and things like that. The tractor I got is a 1960's Massey Ferguson MF50 I believe.

I'm pretty sure it's a 50 HP tractor. So does that mean I have 50 hp motor or does it mean I have a 50hp PTO?

I am going to buy a (what I call) brush hog, but I think the correct term for it is a rotary cutter from what I read. I want to go with a slipper clutch instead of a shear pin. I also think a 6' one will be the best size for what I am going to use it for.

There is a few places around here that sell them. The brands I was looking at was Farm Force I believe and Mahindra which is supposed to be made by kodiak I think and international.

The Farm force and International has an 80hp gear box and the Mahindra has a 90hp gearbox.

I'm really not sure if there will be much different in the 10hp in the gear box. I assume the 50hp tractor would run those ok.

Would of of these cutters be better than the other? Most of the stuff we are going to be cutting is just old logging roads that we have kept clean with chain saws but it would just be easier with the tractor and cutter.

Thanks for all the info.

Josh

The 6 ft should be a good match to the MF 50. If you dont have power steering, that 6 ft will make the steering a lot nicer. I am not familiar with The Farm Force, The Kodiak is good stuff for the $. A Clutch is good investment, if you dont let it set out and freeze up. This is our second year with American Farmland cutters (Made in Ky) and they are comparable to International and Kodiak. Ken Sweet

 

[yellowzx01]

Thanks for the info.

JCB: The tractor has actually just been completely redone from the ground up, so it should be good as new. I hope.

sweettractors: So If you let the clutch sit out in the weather it will freeze up? That is good info to know. Thanks

I have also in the mean time found a King Kutter 6' with a 60hp gearbox for $1045. It seems to be about the best deal I have found so far. I am thinking of going that route.

Thanks again for the info.

Josh

 

[sweettractors]

I always like to see slip clutches backed off before the season starts and make sure it slips ok and then go back to the initial or desired settings. Even setting inside thru the winter, they can freeze up because of condensation. Lots of new cutters that have set out a while, are sold with clutches locked. Ken Sweet

 

[yellowzx01]

I always like to see slip clutches backed off before the season starts and make sure it slips ok and then go back to the initial or desired settings. Even setting inside thru the winter, they can freeze up because of condensation. Lots of new cutters that have set out a while, are sold with clutches locked. Ken Sweet

So can you put some oil or something on it to keep it from freezing up? The best way to check it is to back it off and try it out huh?

 

[sweettractors]

No, I would never put oil on a slip clutch. best to back off and reset. Ken Sweet

 

[yellowzx01]

ohh ok. Thanks for the info