proper size rotary cutter for MF 245?

[gs]

Hello, first post here.

I am presently a "weekend farmer" with a rotary cutter question. I have a Massey-Ferguson diesel 245 tractor, roughly 25 years old. I reckon the hp is around 40. I want to buy a good rotary cutter to match up with it. What is about the maximum width cutter this tractor will handle? In the past a 5' Corsicana cutter was paired up with it, but I'm hoping to go a little bigger. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chuck]

A 5 footer is a good size for 40 hp. It might handle a 6 foot,but it will be a load in heavy conditions, especially if you have a lot of hills. Would do better in light grass on the flat. You sure won't set any speed records. Also will be very light on the front end when you pick it up-will probably need some weight to keep the front end down. If you have to drop down a gear to handle it you won't gain much. You can also buzz right through places with 5 foot where six won't fit aroud trees and such. I'd probably stay with a 5' with a 40 horse tractor. If you want to try one, see if your neighbor has a 6 foot you can put on and offer to mow a little road bank or pasture for him. You will soon know. Good Luck.

 

[jkwilson]

It all depends on what you want it to do and what type mount. If you are clipping pastures or mowing grass twice a month, you are mostly limited by weight. That tractor will probably handle a 7 footer for that kind of work, but it might be a load to haul a 3 point 7 footer on the road. We mowed grass along a ditch that was mowed twice a year with a 7 foot pull type pulled by an H Farmall, which is somewhere around 25 HP.
If mowing heavy stuff or working in tight places, stick to something no wider than the back wheels.

 

[Campground Cattle]

Good rule of thumb never buy a bush hog wider than the back tires on the small tractors 45hp and down. If you stick to that rule you should not have problems in thick brush or grass bogging down.

 

[Bama]

The biggest problem is if you buy one smaller than the tractors track. You will wind up not cutting the weeds that lay in the tracks. I wan't to go at least as wide as the tractor, even if I have to run in a lower gear.

 

[Subsoil]

If you clipping, a 8' or 10' drag type should work. I'd stay away from the three point mounted models or you front might get light. Deere also has a new 8' semi mount that mounts to the lower links and also has hydraulic to lift the rear of the mower. This might be an option if you want the manuverability of a mounted mower or aren't good at backing trailers.

If you are cutting brush, 1", 2" or bigger, I agree with the other guys and go with about a 6 footer.

Just for comparision, we've pulled a 15' bushhog 315 (the old style) with a 4000 Ford (50HP). Does OK for clipping but can bog down in tough bahia in late summer.

Your's should be ok with a 10' and not have any trouble with a 8'