will a dj 855 handle a 5 ft rotary cutter

rjm5133 · May 30, 2012

I have a friend that wants to borrow my jd 855 to run his jd lx5 rotarty cutter. the tractor is 24 hp with 19 pto hp. he will be cutting about 5 or 6 acres of grass about 2 feet tall. i he said the mower is rated for 25 to 50 tractor horse power so it is right on the edge.

beenthere · May 30, 2012

When I bought my RC 513 I had a demo 855 to run it. It handled it quite well.

Now, I wouldn't loan my tractor to a friend, but I would operate my tractor for a friend. Then I would know what and maybe why if something goes wrong. A good way to lose a friend is to loan your tractor (or chainsaw, or whatever). You go with it and then you will know how much load your tractor will handle. But I think you will be satisfied it runs it ok.

And request that he have the blades sharp before cutting the tall grass...you can go as slow as necessary to not load the tractor engine.

RoyJackson · May 31, 2012

You have FIVE 855s????

I agree with beenthere...I'd do the work, but I wouldn't loan out the tractor.
As far as the cutter, you won't have a problem...just watch the temperature gage and clean the radiator grill screens frequently (I use a 2" paint brush with the bristles cut down to about an inch in length).

rjm5133 · May 31, 2012

i use them commercially. i should mention he is renting it from me and he cant be any harder on it then the guys that work for me. if it was my personal tractor i would agree with you guys 100%. but right now its not in use anyway so it might as well make me some money. thanks for the input

beenthere · May 31, 2012

rjm5133 said:
I have a friend that wants to borrow my jd 855 to run his jd lx5 rotarty cutter. the tractor is 24 hp with 19 pto hp. he will be cutting about 5 or 6 acres of grass about 2 feet tall. i he said the mower is rated for 25 to 50 tractor horse power so it is right on the edge.

This was the question raised in the OP title, and the first line said "wants to borrow". So you had us hounds off the fox trail right out of the box.

Now, it is ok that you don't care how the friend uses it, so wonder why you were concerned if the 855 would handle a 5ft rotary cutter????????? It is still on the edge of HP.

js5020 · May 31, 2012

I've used a 4ft and a 6ft on a compact 2hp bigger and it plays with the 4 and runs the 6, just have to go a bit slower with the 6,, and hang about 200 or so lbs on the front. 5 ft should be the sweet spot.

rjm5133 · May 31, 2012

Thanks everyone for the input. I ended up renting him one of my bigger machines with a 7 ft bushdog.

Beenthere, I do care about my machines, I currently have 14 tractors ranging in size from 24 hp to 90 hp and all of them are in tip top shape. because i use them commercially i am used to other people running my machines it is just part of my business.