Bush Hog BH317 & M7060

dphillips7

New member

Equipment
M7060
May 6, 2024
4
2
1
Traphill, NC
Appreciate any experience or guidance on operating a 7 ft "heavy duty" rotary cutter on the M7060. I am considering a Bush Hog BH317. I know the tractor power is sufficient, but I am wondering about the weight and balance. The BH317 is ~1600 lbs. I have a loader for ballast. My fields are significantly rolling / sloping, enough for extra caution. Thanks.
 

MOOTS

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
2,013
2,372
113
Canton, Georgia
I have the 316 on my MX6000. Looking back, I would highly consider a twin spindle 8’ cutter. The 316 is long and heavy, 317 even more so. I only went 6’ to get in between trees in woods. If tractor fits, cutter will fit sorta thing. If primarily mowing fields, wider is better. And the twin spindle cuts down on the length considerably.
 
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dphillips7

New member

Equipment
M7060
May 6, 2024
4
2
1
Traphill, NC
Update: I went with the BH317, dual tail wheel. Very happy with the decision. Tractor holds it well. Grapple on front of tractor is plenty of ballast. Width covers tire tracks. Easily knocks back heavy brush around my fields and nicely mulches grass. Only minor complaint, nuisance, had to fabricate additional bushings for the lower lift arms.
 

MOOTS

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
2,013
2,372
113
Canton, Georgia
Update: I went with the BH317, dual tail wheel. Very happy with the decision. Tractor holds it well. Grapple on front of tractor is plenty of ballast. Width covers tire tracks. Easily knocks back heavy brush around my fields and nicely mulches grass. Only minor complaint, nuisance, had to fabricate additional bushings for the lower lift arms.
I’d like to see what you came up with.
 

McMXi

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Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,810
7,115
113
Montana
That's an impressive rotary cutter. The owner's manual for the M7060/M6060 lists 1,200lb as being the max weight for a rotary cutter on the 3-point, 1,760lb for a flail mower which would sit closer to the tractor. I don't know how Kubota arrives at these numbers, but a big, heavy rotary cutter bouncing around on the three point wouldn't be good. I mostly only raise the cutter of the tail wheels when getting on/off the trailer which is a slow speed maneuver.

I run a Land Pride RCR1884 but it's a medium duty model weighing only 850lb or so. I don't get into anything that requires more than the 1884 offers so it's a good fit for me. I do have a much bigger and heavier folding cutter that's built like a tank, but it pulls on the draw bar of course.
 

dphillips7

New member

Equipment
M7060
May 6, 2024
4
2
1
Traphill, NC
Thanks mcmxi, I appreciate the comments. The weight was a concern, and the reason for my original post to seek some guidance. I know the cutter is at the technical limit, but the tractor is holding it well and I suspect there is a large safety margin in that number. I likewise don’t know the math on the cutter limit and cantilever weight, but the direct load limit is 3300 lbs. (big difference). The extra bushing is pretty much required to minimize lateral movement, and I don’t do anything at speed so I’m not bouncing it around. Neither the dealer nor the service technician hesitated in confirming the tractor would handle it, especially with the dual wheels. I needed some heavy duty capacity and I wanted to avoid the extra mechanical complexity of dual spindles. Anyway I am pleased with it but definitely paused before finalizing the purchase.
 
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McMXi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,810
7,115
113
Montana
Thanks mcmxi, I appreciate the comments. The weight was a concern, and the reason for my original post to seek some guidance. I know the cutter is at the technical limit, but the tractor is holding it well and I suspect there is a large safety margin in that number. I likewise don’t know the math on the cutter limit and cantilever weight, but the direct load limit is 3300 lbs. (big difference). The extra bushing is pretty much required to minimize lateral movement, and I don’t do anything at speed so I’m not bouncing it around. Neither the dealer nor the service technician hesitated in confirming the tractor would handle it, especially with the dual wheels. I needed some heavy duty capacity and I wanted to avoid the extra mechanical complexity of dual spindles. Anyway I am pleased with it but definitely paused before finalizing the purchase.
I like your welded washer spacers too ... that's clever! (y)