Advice on a rear finish mower for B7410DT

[TheAndruu]

Rear finish mower on B7410DT

We recently got our first tractor - a 2005 B7410 with LA302 FEL (yay!).

Now we're searching for a rear finish mower to cut about 5 acres, mostly flat. This guy has no mid-PTO, so a belly mower isn't an option and the engine is rated 15HP at the PTO.

I've found a couple that appear to work by the numbers: The Land Pride FDR16 series is rated 15-30HP for 48" and 60" mowers, and Woods makes 60" PRD6000 and RD60 mowers rated 15-35HP.

Among these, do you think the Kubota could handle the 60" deck, or should I play it safe with a 48"?

Tractor Supply is the closest dealer to us, and if 60" is doable, they make a 60" CountryLine mower rated at 45HP max (no minimum specified). It's enticing as it's a over $1k cheaper than the other models-- do you think this would work?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[chip]

I have researched this topic extensively due to the fact I have a 12.5 HP B6000 with a pto reverser and wanted the largest cut it could power. Most recommended 42" cut with a 48" cut maximum. I read the Caroni estate mower works well with less HP and found a 59" cut on craigslist and my B6000 powers it as well as it powers the 48" kubota deck I have. The problem I have is if I raise the deck the front wheels come off the ground going uphill, I need to load the front tires or put on front weights. As long as the blades are sharp and the grass is not too high or wet it works fine. Agrisupply sells this product and any parts needed.

 

[Daren Todd]

I use the agmate 60" from agrisupply behind my l1501. Only issue was the front casters hit the back tires when raised. Ended up making a new set of lift arms for the mower itself. Works great on a 15 horse tractor.

 

[TheAndruu]

That sounds great-- thanks both of you. I've heard the Caroni weighs less and based on your experience, it sounds like this is a good idea to shoot for. I'll look and see if I can find an Agmate as well since that sounds like it'll work. The ones at the local Tractor Supply are priced well, but the 600 lbs weight deters me.

 

[Daren Todd]

Here's a link to the one I got. If I remember right, shipping was about $150. Needed a forklift to get it off the truck, so I had it shipped to work.
Weighs a little more then the caroni

http://www.agrisupply.com/m/Product.aspx?p=65058

 

[85Hokie]

Re: Rear finish mower on B7410DT

We recently got our first tractor - a 2005 B7410 with LA302 FEL (yay!).

Now we're searching for a rear finish mower to cut about 5 acres, mostly flat. This guy has no mid-PTO, so a belly mower isn't an option and the engine is rated 15HP at the PTO.

I've found a couple that appear to work by the numbers: The Land Pride FDR16 series is rated 15-30HP for 48" and 60" mowers, and Woods makes 60" PRD6000 and RD60 mowers rated 15-35HP.

Among these, do you think the Kubota could handle the 60" deck, or should I play it safe with a 48"?

Tractor Supply is the closest dealer to us, and if 60" is doable, they make a 60" CountryLine mower rated at 45HP max (no minimum specified). It's enticing as it's a over $1k cheaper than the other models-- do you think this would work?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

A 5 footer will spin just fine - using the clutch in an intelligent way! however - you will have to be smart about how to cut the grass! I have used mowers that are "too big" and if you attack the grass it will bog down and well you know the rest! If you are in the right gear and the grass has not grown too high, you should be fine, once it rains for a week straight then you will be cutting higher and slower !!! Like Daren said - you might need to be aware of the raising part....but if that is the only limiting factor I would not worry about it - that is fixable!

get some counter weigh for the front too!

 

[TheAndruu]

Here's a link to the one I got. If I remember right, shipping was about $150. Needed a forklift to get it off the truck, so I had it shipped to work.
Weighs a little more then the caroni

http://www.agrisupply.com/m/Product.aspx?p=65058

Not having any access to a fork lift or loading dock, I'm hopeful there's an option for home delivery including unloading to the ground. I'll try calling before making an order to see what options they offer.

 

[TheAndruu]

Re: Rear finish mower on B7410DT

A 5 footer will spin just fine - using the clutch in an intelligent way! however - you will have to be smart about how to cut the grass! I have used mowers that are "too big" and if you attack the grass it will bog down and well you know the rest! If you are in the right gear and the grass has not grown too high, you should be fine, once it rains for a week straight then you will be cutting higher and slower !!! Like Daren said - you might need to be aware of the raising part....but if that is the only limiting factor I would not worry about it - that is fixable!

get some counter weigh for the front too!

We usually keep the grass mowed pretty low, but yes, there's always those times when it rains two weekends in a row and can't get to the grass in time. The tractor has the FEL and the tires are filled, so that'll hopefully help us too. Is there any harm in leaving the FEL on while mowing?

 

[Daren Todd]

Re: Rear finish mower on B7410DT

We usually keep the grass mowed pretty low, but yes, there's always those times when it rains two weekends in a row and can't get to the grass in time. The tractor has the FEL and the tires are filled, so that'll hopefully help us too. Is there any harm in leaving the FEL on while mowing?

Only issue is if your trying to get close to something like a fence and corners. Just gotta remember you have to adjust for it so you don't have to fix the fence cleaned mine out a couple times till I got used to it

 

[TheAndruu]

Good point. We have the riding mower for the finer details, so shouldn't need to get too close. Unfortunately our property is rife with fencing, and it really adds to the mowing time (3 fields, riding ring). Long term I hope to remove the fence, but not until I have a plan to re-purpose all the material.