Would like to give an update to the thread, just in case anyone is interested.
I picking up a new Countyline (Tarter) 60" cutter, new, for 1K. They happened to be on sale, and I used a 10% off coupon that I got in the mail. I understand it may be of lesser quality than a frontier, or others, but for my needs I think it will work out just fine. Most of the bad reviews on the thing is gearbox issues and it really sounds like they failed to fill it with the proper gear oil as it's dry when purchased. On another note, a frontier 60" at my local dealer was around 1,700.00, so all in all I'm happy. 700 dollars less and I have a decent cutter for my needs.
Now for the handling with the 2025R. The unit weighs almost 500 pounds. In a nut shell, the tractor has absolutely no problems handling this size cutter. Lift height is decent enough for me. I had zero issues taking down extremely thick 4' material with a full pass. Barely lugged the engine. This was the one thing I was worried about, but not anymore. Tractor handles this 5ft cutter like there is no tomorrow.
Thanks for your write up, now that first cutting hay is done my FIL and I are going to start working on the old 5' Ford rotary cutter that is laying in the weeds. :thumbup1gif: It needs a little sheet metal work and we are going to make the 3 point braces float, not quick hitch compatible but that's not a problem, if the lower pins are the right width we may try an adaptor bracket for the top link.
I briefly ran my rc2060 on my 1025r. The tractor did fine with it, I mowed 4 ft tall brush with it under pecan trees. I was pleased with the performance hp wise but the 5 ft cutter is too long, meaning there is too much weight too far away from the hitch point.
Interesting. I ended up running with the FEL and bucket attached for counter balance and knocking the growth down. I found no issues with to much weight far out from the machine. As a matter of fact you couldn't even tell you had the thing attached. But yes, I was wondering how that much weight hanging from the rear at that distance would affect the tractor. I am very pleased!
I am wondering if this contributes to the larger/longer build of the 2025R vs. the 1025R. I'd love to hook this thing up to a 1025R and try it!
And don't worry about the quality of your mower, I paid $1400 in 2016 for my rc2060 new, it isn't built heavy enough for my needs. The rear skirting is bent and coming apart. I am pretty abusive but expected a better mower than this. Maybe I will try a Woods next time.
That's pretty much my thought as well. At least for the money I paid it is new and I'm not getting somebody's nightmare they are trying to unload... besides, it's one of those implements that is designed to destroy itself!
That's pretty much my thought as well. At least for the money I paid it is new and I'm not getting somebody's nightmare they are trying to unload... besides, it's one of those implements that is designed to destroy itself!
A good one is pretty tough, we have a few laying around but the best one is a White 6' that honestly looks like it was used as a mine sweeper in the middle east for 10 years. But it cuts better than any other cutter I've ever seen or used.
PS
We dug the 5' Ford out tonight, but I'm thinking of starting a thread in the implement forum for that. :good2:
A good one is pretty tough, we have a few laying around but the best one is a White 6' that honestly looks like it was used as a mine sweeper in the middle east for 10 years. But it cuts better than any other cutter I've ever seen or used.
PS
We dug the 5' Ford out tonight, but I'm thinking of starting a thread in the implement forum for that. :good2:
A forum community dedicated to John Deere tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about towing, PTO’s, reviews, attachments, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!