Mowing Opinion From Kubota M7040 owner about rotary cutter.

Bigg Country · Mar 4, 2015

Hello ALL

I just bought a New M7040 with LA1153 Loader and had my heart set on buying a Bushhog model 326 Rotary Cutter. All the brochure specs showed 3308lb 3pt lift capacity. I got the tractor and the owner manual states max weight for rotary cutter is 1200lbs. PTO requirement for cutter is 60HP minimum and tractor has 65 so no problem there. The cutter approximate weight is 1400-1500LBS I don't think the tractor will have any problem handling this cutter as long as I get the ballast right. Like to here from M7040 owners and their opinions.

I have 90 acres 1/3 is hay field and pasture the rest is hilly with 2 year old clear cut and densely wooded would like keep sampling cut in clear cut and clear some of the wooded area and cut paths. So yes I want the heaviest mower my tractor can handle. The 326 has a 4" cutting capacity.

Tx Jim · Mar 4, 2015

I have a JD 709 rotary mower that weighs 1350#s that I use on my M7040 and it picks it up with no problems. 3308# lift is measured at 24'' behind 3 pt lift pins.

mkreitler · Mar 4, 2015

I have a M7040 and the 326 BUSH HOG is one of the best on the market for it's size. (SCHULTE BRAND MODEL #326 is the same cutter) I would not be worried about the weight the M7040 is a GREAT TRACTOR and will handle it fine, when using it always run it at the rite PTO speed and it will do all you ask of it. I have a MODEL #296 BUSH HOG that has served me well, I have cut 4" stuff with mine so the 326 will take 4" with no problem. I think you made the rite decision on equipment and if you think the tractor may be lite in the front end all you have to do is add weight if need be.

BXman98 · Mar 5, 2015

I'm sure that the M7040 will handle it just fine.

ovrszd · Mar 5, 2015

I would suspect the owner's manual is addressing the weight of a 3pt piece of equipment in regards to bare tractor balance. I carry a JD M1008 3pt cutter with my M9540. I always remove the FEL. AND, I always add front ballast with 1000lb of suitcase weights. It is unsafe without that ballast. In your hilly terrain without the FEL on the tractor you may find it to be light in the front when climbing hills and/or especially when carrying the cutter uphill.

LD1 · Mar 5, 2015

I think the owners manual is a little conservative.

While I dont have a 7040, what I do have is a L3400, which is about 1/2 the size of your machine. I think the manual specs ~700# max for a rotary cutter. But have been using a bushhog 306 (~1100lbs) for the last 3 years and about 400-500 acres mowed with it no problem. IT does require leaving the FEL on the tractor for weight. But still well within the limits of what the 3PH can handle,

I think you will be just fine with a 326 on that tractor. But unless you plan on clearing alot of brush and saplings, I would think you would want a much larger cutter. 10' or so if just doing pastures and fields with only occasional saplings.

Bigg Country · Mar 5, 2015

mkreitler said:
I have a M7040 and the 326 BUSH HOG is one of the best on the market for it's size. (SCHULTE BRAND MODEL #326 is the same cutter) I would not be worried about the weight the M7040 is a GREAT TRACTOR and will handle it fine, when using it always run it at the rite PTO speed and it will do all you ask of it. I have a MODEL #296 BUSH HOG that has served me well, I have cut 4" stuff with mine so the 326 will take 4" with no problem. I think you made the rite decision on equipment and if you think the tractor may be lite in the front end all you have to do is add weight if need be.

Thanks for the reply I figure it would not be a problem. I figured I would have to add weight to the front. I wanted to get the front tires loaded when I bought it but the dealer told me he was not allowed too and it might affect the warranty if I did. Does not make any sense to me but I will probably get them done when the warranty runs out. My Cousin has a M4800 that I barrowed once in awhile and it handled much better once he loaded the tires. For now I got a stack of 200lb weights that came off a elevator that I can clamp down in the front bucket if I need it. They worked great when I clamped them t my cousins tractor now he leaves them there unless he is using the bucket. Maybe I will have a few of them cut in two and have them cut to fit the front bumper. Unfortunately I don't get to play with my new toy until May. Work has got me away from home for now.

LD1 · Mar 5, 2015

You shouldnt need anything other than just the loader to counterweight the ~1500# cutter. No need to add weight in the bucket.

Rocky Hoffler · Mar 5, 2015

A fine choice but would look at a Brown tree cutter

Bigg Country · Mar 6, 2015

Thanks Ld1
I think the 6 foot will be the best for me My clear cut area still has a lot stump which I have been removing and a bigger cutter would not fit down in my woods as well. The pasture is not smooth it is waive land with lots of slips. Eventually I would like to get everything smoothed out but that will take time I am not a full time farmer and my work takes me away a lot. So for now I will stick with the 6'. My friend that is full time farm does the hay for me and splits it 50/50 with me. I am sure this tractor is going to get a lot more done. I have been using a 2n Ford with 5' bush hog. I was amazed at how much I was able to get done with it. It was ruff on that tractor and I was always fixing it. Everything but the motor on that tractor is new or been rebuilt except engine lost compression in number 2 piston. I will rebuild it this summer and use it to pull a wagon. Got too much in it to ever get my money back so I will just keep it.