Today was my first serious mowing day of the season.
I spent a bit over 4 hours on the 45 HP MF with 6' Woods mower cutter cutting things in and then about 2 1/2 hours on the 60 HP MF with 7' Woods cutter to cover the ground. Most of my parcels do not allow use of a mower much larger than 7' and the few that do do not justify a larger mower.
Seems I always spend about twice as much time cutting things in as mowing because my parcels are irregular, some steep, some with many obstacles and I do make Cadillac first and second rounds with the smaller "cutting in" set-up to make the "mowing" easy.
Brought both set-ups back to the barn, cleaned them off with the air gun, greased the wearing parts on the mowers and sharpened the blades (Unlike most, I keep the blades on my rotary cutters sharp because I use them more like HD finish mowers.).
No break downs!
All in all a good day.
The MF 533 "cutting-in" tractor is on the list to be replaced with a hydrostat as I spend far too much time reversing direction on the first couple of rounds backing in beneath the surrounding trees and other obstacles.
The 533 is the 2007 version of the 135 and is simple and rugged but the 4X2 transmission in it is non synchronized and the dry drum brakes leave a lot to be desired anytime I declutch on steep ground.
I expect I can reduce my "cutting-in" time significantly if I replace the 533 with a 55+ HP FWA hydrostat CUT such as a Kubota L6060 or JD 4066R.
Still, it will be tough retiring the 533 as it has a low speed, long stroke 202 CI NA Perkins engine that, with 400 hours is not yet broken in enough to produce maximum power.
Decisions, decisions.
Dean
I spent a bit over 4 hours on the 45 HP MF with 6' Woods mower cutter cutting things in and then about 2 1/2 hours on the 60 HP MF with 7' Woods cutter to cover the ground. Most of my parcels do not allow use of a mower much larger than 7' and the few that do do not justify a larger mower.
Seems I always spend about twice as much time cutting things in as mowing because my parcels are irregular, some steep, some with many obstacles and I do make Cadillac first and second rounds with the smaller "cutting in" set-up to make the "mowing" easy.
Brought both set-ups back to the barn, cleaned them off with the air gun, greased the wearing parts on the mowers and sharpened the blades (Unlike most, I keep the blades on my rotary cutters sharp because I use them more like HD finish mowers.).
No break downs!
All in all a good day.
The MF 533 "cutting-in" tractor is on the list to be replaced with a hydrostat as I spend far too much time reversing direction on the first couple of rounds backing in beneath the surrounding trees and other obstacles.
The 533 is the 2007 version of the 135 and is simple and rugged but the 4X2 transmission in it is non synchronized and the dry drum brakes leave a lot to be desired anytime I declutch on steep ground.
I expect I can reduce my "cutting-in" time significantly if I replace the 533 with a 55+ HP FWA hydrostat CUT such as a Kubota L6060 or JD 4066R.
Still, it will be tough retiring the 533 as it has a low speed, long stroke 202 CI NA Perkins engine that, with 400 hours is not yet broken in enough to produce maximum power.
Decisions, decisions.
Dean