[Yes Deere]

I need some help. I am setting up a property that will require a lot of mowing weekly through the summer months (10's of acres), and have taken the approach of buying the implements and attachments first then deciding on the tractor. The implement that will need the most power is the FM 2120 Flex Wing mower. On the JD website it says 35-85hp is sufficient. It also says for the 15' batwing rotary mower that 55hp is enough. My experience is that 55hp is no where near enough. I borrowed a 15 ft batwing and my neighbour's 5115 to cut Bahia and Bermuda - that was about 12 inches high - and it got a very good workout at 5mph, some areas needed turtle mode. So my thinking is that 55hp would have stalled or needed to be cut much slower. With the flex-mower, I do not intend to let the grass get that tall, but can't imagine 35hp touching it with 9 blades to turn, and wondered if 85 would even be enough. I don't want to overkill it on the tractor, nor do I want to be underpowered. I am thinking 5100E or M? Thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[Kennyd]

Welcome,
I am no mowing expert, but you have described two different mowers-a "grooming" mower and a "rotary" mower that I assume is like a roughcutting brush hog type. Finish mowers or grooming mowers need much less HP to work effectively since the blades are generally thinner and kept sharp meant to cut grass, whereas the brush hog blade are much thicker, have blunt edges are are meant to cut down thick vegetation and small saplings.

 

[Yes Deere]

Welcome,
I am no mowing expert, but you have described two different mowers-a "grooming" mower and a "rotary" mower that I assume is like a roughcutting brush hog type. Finish mowers or grooming mowers need much less HP to work effectively since the blades are generally thinner and kept sharp meant to cut grass, whereas the brush hog blade are much thicker, have blunt edges are are meant to cut down thick vegetation and small saplings.

Appreciate the reply Kennyd. That is very true and correct. The added variable is that the grooming mower I have has a 20 foot wide cut which I am struggling to calibrate mentally against a narrower brush hog. Thinking I may ask the neighbor to borrow his 5115 to get calibrated - and hopefully not stretch the early friendship . I was hoping someone on the forum has a 2120 grooming mower and could also offer the perspective of their experience with it.

 

[jmblake]

I have one of these finish mowers 721XR Pull Behind Mower - Lastec and it cuts 11' wide and with my 3520 it does fine on the flats but when I come to a hill it really slows you down, so with a 20' cut I would think you would need at least 55Hp. I love this mower and it can mow up to 9 acres a hour, is your property all clear area or do you have trees to mow around? I couldn't imagine how much stuff I would run over with a 20' mower.
Jason

 

[56FordGuy]

How much does the mower weigh? You want to have a large enough tractor to stop it, especially if you have hills. Personally, I would be looking in the 5 series, somewhere not too far from 100 hp at the pto.

 

[Zebrafive]

My little JD lawn tractor has 18HP for 4' cut. Since 4' x 5 = 20' then 18HP x 5 = 90HP
That's my unscientific opinion.




For a real world opinion;

Ship me an FM2120 and I'll try it with my 2030 (60HP) and 6415 (100HP) and let you know how it does. :laugh: :greentractorride: :greentractorride:

 

[Yes Deere]

My little JD lawn tractor has 18HP for 4' cut. Since 4' x 5 = 20' then 18HP x 5 = 90HP
That's my unscientific opinion.




For a real world opinion;

Ship me an FM2120 and I'll try it with my 2030 (60HP) and 6415 (100HP) and let you know how it does. :laugh: :greentractorride: :greentractorride:

I'm with you on your logic, I think the 90-100hp range should just about do it. I'm thinking the 6 series sounds like it might be too heavy on grass/turf. 5 series sounds about right, It's just which one makes the most sense, without going overboard on the $$.

 

[Yes Deere]

How much does the mower weigh? You want to have a large enough tractor to stop it, especially if you have hills. Personally, I would be looking in the 5 series, somewhere not too far from 100 hp at the pto.

Thanks Blake (56FordGuy), narrowing in on 100hp.

 

[Yes Deere]

I have one of these finish mowers 721XR Pull Behind Mower - Lastec and it cuts 11' wide and with my 3520 it does fine on the flats but when I come to a hill it really slows you down, so with a 20' cut I would think you would need at least 55Hp. I love this mower and it can mow up to 9 acres a hour, is your property all clear area or do you have trees to mow around? I couldn't imagine how much stuff I would run over with a 20' mower.
Jason

Thanks JM Blake. Love the 721XR Lastec, probably the best cutting mower on the market, especially on contoured ground. Fortunately ground is flat and the trees are outside the pasture behind curved fences (No corners - designed for this mower and ease/speed of maintenance).

 

[ddinham]

I need some help. I am setting up a property that will require a lot of mowing weekly through the summer months (10's of acres), and have taken the approach of buying the implements and attachments first then deciding on the tractor. The implement that will need the most power is the FM 2120 Flex Wing mower. On the JD website it says 35-85hp is sufficient. It also says for the 15' batwing rotary mower that 55hp is enough. My experience is that 55hp is no where near enough. I borrowed a 15 ft batwing and my neighbour's 5115 to cut Bahia and Bermuda - that was about 12 inches high - and it got a very good workout at 5mph, some areas needed turtle mode. So my thinking is that 55hp would have stalled or needed to be cut much slower. With the flex-mower, I do not intend to let the grass get that tall, but can't imagine 35hp touching it with 9 blades to turn, and wondered if 85 would even be enough. I don't want to overkill it on the tractor, nor do I want to be underpowered. I am thinking 5100E or M? Thoughts greatly appreciated.

I have the 110 inch (9ft 2 inch) Befco grooming (finish) mower on my 4066R with 66HP (52 PTO HP) and it does not even kick in the turbo on normal grass mowing. I have mowed stuff as high as the hood and that does kick in the turbo and uses a lot more fuel. I can mow 8 acres in as little as 1 1/4 hours. It would be faster except for things like the house, etc. When possible, I mow at max speed of 9MPH in load range B. I think I could handle the FM 2120 in normal grass, but might not be able to go at the max speed I do now, nor could I mow the tall stuff that I have mowed. However, in tall stuff, I could just take a smaller swath, if necessary. What is the weight of the unit. Mine weighs 1500lbs and is easily lifted on the 3pt hitch and has no effect on stopping ability. What kind of hills are involved on the property? Stopping going downhill needs to be considered, if you have hills. While a 4066R might be big enough, a top of the line 5 series might be enough difference to be the way to go with the higher HP and additional weight. Again, hills could be the deciding factor. With normal grass, I would not think a 6 series would be required. A 20ft brush hog would be a different matter. Also consider whether you want R1 AG tires or more lawn friendly R4 or R3 tires. I did check it out and it has 540RPM PTO, so that gives you some latitude on smaller tractors that do not have the 1000RPM PTO option. Send it over to me and I will try it out for you!!!!

I am not sure that getting the implements first is the right way to go. My thinking is that getting the tractor first might be a better idea, as long as you have an idea of how big the implements might be needed for the jobs that you are planning. Be aware that there is a domino effect here in that a bigger tractor requires bigger and more heavy duty attachments. Then you need heavier duty equipment to haul it. Been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

Dave

 

[Yes Deere]

I have the 110 inch (9ft 2 inch) Befco grooming (finish) mower on my 4066R with 66HP (52 PTO HP) and it does not even kick in the turbo on normal grass mowing. I have mowed stuff as high as the hood and that does kick in the turbo and uses a lot more fuel. I can mow 8 acres in as little as 1 1/4 hours. It would be faster except for things like the house, etc. When possible, I mow at max speed of 9MPH in load range B. I think I could handle the FM 2120 in normal grass, but might not be able to go at the max speed I do now, nor could I mow the tall stuff that I have mowed. However, in tall stuff, I could just take a smaller swath, if necessary. What is the weight of the unit. Mine weighs 1500lbs and is easily lifted on the 3pt hitch and has no effect on stopping ability. What kind of hills are involved on the property? Stopping going downhill needs to be considered, if you have hills. While a 4066R might be big enough, a top of the line 5 series might be enough difference to be the way to go with the higher HP and additional weight. Again, hills could be the deciding factor. With normal grass, I would not think a 6 series would be required. A 20ft brush hog would be a different matter. Also consider whether you want R1 AG tires or more lawn friendly R4 or R3 tires. I did check it out and it has 540RPM PTO, so that gives you some latitude on smaller tractors that do not have the 1000RPM PTO option. Send it over to me and I will try it out for you!!!!

I am not sure that getting the implements first is the right way to go. My thinking is that getting the tractor first might be a better idea, as long as you have an idea of how big the implements might be needed for the jobs that you are planning. Be aware that there is a domino effect here in that a bigger tractor requires bigger and more heavy duty attachments. Then you need heavier duty equipment to haul it. Been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

Dave

Hi Dave. The 4066 is my initial preference. I first mowed the property with a 997 72 inch zero turn and it took me over a day and a half. I then considered getting a 1600 JD out-front with the side wings (50-60k), did the math and this would take about 6-7 hours at the same speed with no cab. Still no good where it needs to be cut weekly. The 20 footer will do it in under 3 hours which is the right answer for me in an air conditioned cab. This is therefore my hard starting point. The 15' brush hog of the neighbors managed it in 4 hours and that has been my benchmark, but looked brush hogged rather than mowed after doing it. That isn't bad but still chews a half day a week. Keeping the 997 for fence lines, laneways, pond edges, around trees. Ground is flat so weight is not a problem, just power requirements. Weekly mowing with the 4066 will do it I think. If I leave it a couple of weeks it grows like mad and I think I may struggle. Good to hear you don't have power issues with your mower and 4066. Some reviews comment on power being an issue with some applications. I definitely need the turf tyres.

Your comments have been very useful, and are much appreciated.

Regards Paul.

 

[ddinham]

Provided you can go as fast as I can that would allow you to cut twice as much as I can and I think I am doing pretty good. Rough ground has been my problem and I am looking for a field roller to smooth the ground to allow higher speed. Lately I have had to slow down to around 6-7 MPH.

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