Rotary Cutter size for Kioti CK2510

[Mark in GA]

Hello all. I am studying tractors and trying to determine what would best meet my needs. The CK2510 has caught my eye as one worth considering. Planning to use for bush hogging some roadside, cutting trails and small food plots (1/2 to 3/4 acre) at my hunting lease, and a few times a year at a 3-4 acre field by my house. Largest brush would be under 1.5", really the vast majority would be under 1" and grass/weeds.

Given that, would the CK2510 reasonably or realistically run a 5' rotary cutter? Or, would it really be happier with a 4' cutter? I assume it would run a 5' finish mower ok, but the rotary cutter would be more of a HP consumer. Would a 5' cutter simply be asking too much of the CK2510?

Thanks,
Mark in GA

 

[tman1020]

It will probably run either one but in my opinion the 4' is the better fit. The rule of thumb of 5 pto hp per foot is about the sweet spot. Plus I think the size and weight of the 4' is about perfect for that size tractor.
That said, if a 5' is what you want and you realize it's probably going to be wider than the tractor and you will have to slow down more in the thick stuff then go for it.
I run a 5' with about 20 pto hp on a hydrostatic trans. It does what I need it to. I just slow down a bit in the think stuff but 5 more hp would be a plus.(isn't it always though) I didn't want a 4' due to the width of my tractor at 62".
I have run a 4 foot and a 5 foot on multiple gear tractors with around 19 HP at the PTO. The 5 was to much for it in my opinion. Every time you clutch to change gears to slow down you lose your blade inertia. With the hydrostat it's not an issue you just back off the pedal a bit and you're good to keep going.

 

[topbuilder]

If you are mowing in any kind of brush or trees, you will want the mower to match your rear tire width. And as tman stated, it is usually a good gage on available horsepower.

 

[Mark in GA]

The CK2510 is supposedly 49.2 wide (guessing with Ag tires). One dealer I got to measure it came back with 51-52" with R4 Ind tires (the type I would want).

The Kioti website says 19.8 HP at PTO with hydro and 20 HP with gear. I have heard the 5 HP per foot of cutter rule, but it wasn't clear to me if that was meant for Engine HP or PTO. Sounds like it really is meant to be applied using PTO HP, correct?

Thanks,
Mark in GA

 

[Amvcane]

Mark, have you looked at a CK2610? Next larger frame size and a 3 range hst for not much more money.

 

[Mark in GA]

I haven't really looked at at. Maybe my assumptions are all wrong, but I think the CK2610 is the same frame and weight as the 3510, but with the same 24.5 HP engine the CK 2510 has. That seems like a lot more weight for the same 24.5HP engine to drag around. Does the 2610 somehow have stronger power to the PTO than the 2510?

Mark in GA

 

[Amvcane]

CK2510 has a 1.4l engine and the CK2610 has a 1.65l engine. Also, the hydro pump on the CK2610 has more flow. The CK 2610hst has 21.8 hp at the pto and the rated power comes in at 2400 rpms.

 

[IslandTractor]

I had a CK20 which I believe was about the same frame size as the CK2510 but with a 21hp motor. I used a 4ft bush hog and 5ft finish mower. It handled each without issue. I was impressed with the bush hog's ability to chew up 1 to 1.5 inch brush without issue.

I'd say that to be conservative the 4ft hog would still match up with the 2510 but I don't think you'd be making a mistake to get a standard duty 5 ft hog. Don't get.a medium or heavy duty 5 footer as they are too heavy. You may find some material require mowing with overlap to drop the actual cut to four feet on occasion but most of the time you should be able to handle a five footer.

I'll add my vote for the slightly larger 2610 if the price is reasonable. Two range HST sucks for mowing.