Tractor Sizing Tractor and mower combination

[frcarl]

The 385 ac (50/50 pastures/woods) old family farm here in Missouri is in real need of "restoration". Once it was a very good cow/pasture/hay operation. To begin with, I have contracted out dozer work - mainly pasture reclamation (cedars!) and have rebuilt 4 ponds. I am now looking at tractors - mainly Kubota m70 min. - to begin serious mowing work - brush and pastures. Like much of the Ozarks, it has a fair amount of contour to it.

Any recommendations as to tractor and mower would be appreciated.

 

[wmonroe]

Welcome to the forum. Are you thinking of getting a batwing mower, what size?

 

[case245]

i 7040 will run a 7 foot cutter no more unless dual spindal i would say step up to the 8540 or 100x

 

[OrangeToys]

You should talk to TripleR he's got a 8540 and loves it. Think he does similar stuff and does stuff in the hills.

 

[case245]

a guy on here does haying with his 7040 FORMAN ETEXAS drop him a pm he will help you out

 

[wmonroe]

i 7040 will run a 7 foot cutter no more unless dual spindal i would say step up to the 8540 or 100x

a guy on here does haying with his 7040 FORMAN ETEXAS drop him a pm he will help you out

190 acres is a lot to cut with a 7' cutter, i agree anything larger should be a dual spindle. FORMAN ETEXAS, if i remember right also pulls a 15' cutter behind his 7040. If you want to speed up you cutting he could give some insight on how that set up might perform on your terrain.

 

[OrangeToys]

a guy on here does haying with his 7040 FORMAN ETEXAS drop him a pm he will help you out

Yes him too, couldn't remember the name last night

 

[frcarl]

Thanks fellows, I appreciate the replies; and have found the experienced discussions on this site to be very helpful!

Your opinions are in line with what I've been wrestling with. The heavier duty mowers require a minimum of 50 - 60 hp at the PTO; as do the larger batwings.

The m70 series is - "on paper" - big enough, but just, given the terrain. More and more I'm moving toward the m80 series and a 10' medium duty mower.

 

[foreman Etexas]

My old lease place had some really good rolling hills and the 7040 will pull a 15ft batwing fine,I even done it with my 5040. I have a 8ft pull-type and the 7040 pulls it like nothing. I also have a 12ft flat-deck and do not recommend them,go with the 12ft batwing the thing is to wide and digs in sometimes and wide hauling or pulling down the roads. I don't have any problem with the 7040 and 15ft batwing combo but I push my tractors,the 8540/8560 may be better for you and your place. I also pull a 5x4 round baler and on the really good hills almost full the 7040 sure can feel it. I also like the larger tires on the 85's and I'm sure they ride better with the larger frame. Hope this help...

 

[TripleR]

Are you going to graze it once you are done or are you going to keep mowing it? Is it in grass now or will you have to establish it? What will you be mowing, weeds and grass or a combination of weeds, grass, brush and saplings, if so what size. About how many acres will need to be mowed?

 

[frcarl]

Your comments do confirm the research I've done so far. I've been looking at a Landpride 12' batwing - what are you using?

 

[frcarl]

The farm is located between Rolla and Salem. The "permanent" pastures are around 200 acres; 25 years ago they were well maintained and supported a herd of avg. 50 au. (with access to the woods of about same acreage). After years of neglect, I am determined to bring the place back up.
The order I'm following is: mow everything (including saplings up to a couple of inches). After that continue mowing some of the "rough" areas. I am going back into some areas with a mix of clover (red/white) - this is what has been recommended by Soil & Water.
The complication is that I must address the himilayian briars! I've been informed that the only way to get rid of them is to spray them in March and then mowing them later on.

I've just about decided that I probably need to step up to the m85 (40 or 60?) [I think our Missouri ground is just that much more contoured than foreman-Etexas to justify the M85].
And it looks more and more like the best choice will be a 10 - 12 batwing, but want something medium+ duty. I've looked at Landpride, Woods, and others. Do you have some advice?

 

[foreman Etexas]

Your comments do confirm the research I've done so far. I've been looking at a Landpride 12' batwing - what are you using?

The 8ft is a Landpride(RCR3596),the 12ft a Woods(DS1440) and the 15ftbatwing of my father-in-laws a 1979 TerranKing. The Landpride has been a good shredder...

 

[foreman Etexas]

I figure I would show you in pictures,for reference....

 

[bigbull338]

to pull a 15ft batwing in hilly country you would want the 8540 or 9540 or newer #s.we just bought a 3214 bushhog rigid shredder an a JX80 4x4 an weve done alot of heavy brush shredding.

 

[frcarl]

Nice rigs, nicer ground. Definitely more rolling than my hilly patch! Thanks for the photos.

 

[frcarl]

Thanks for your reply - my current thinking is the combination of a 8540 and a 10 - 12 batwing. The diameter of the material is min 2" avg., up to 3".

 

[ovrszd]

I bought a M9540 last Fall. A couple weeks ago I bought a mounted 10' JD cutter. I haven't mowed with it yet, just carried it around, I wouldn't want a smaller tractor. I would also agree with others that wider than 10' needs to fold. I will use my cutter a lot in timber land, that's why I wanted narrow and mounted.

As for the tractor, I certainly like the 9540. It's a very capable and stable (on steep terrain) tractor. The LA1353 loader is tough as a boot. I suggest loaded rear tires and cast centers for ballast.

On this website the 7040 is probably more popular than the larger 85/95 models. I decided to buy the largest tractor I could use in my conditions. Didn't want to be wishing for more HP or heavier weight or bigger tires or bigger loader, and I haven't regretted the decision. Although as several on here have done, you can buy a 8540 with the larger 9540 size tires on it and save some money. They are identical tractors except the tire size and Kubota tweaked an additional 10hp out of the engine with fuel modifications. I paid $43.5K for my M9540HD12-1 open station 12 speed hydraulic shuttle with LA1353 loader, 84" bucket, 3rd function on the loader, 2nd rear remote, radial tires, cast rear centers.

Keep us informed of your choice, with pictures of course.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I believe if you have your doubts on one size then you should move up a size if the pocket book allows. It was always hard for me to find the one tractor to fit my life style,that's why I have two but the one tractor I would like to own is the M100gx. Do I need all that HP you betcha:laughing: