Mower Deck Size

[cumbres]

I have a 1952 8N. We are in the process of buying a new finish mower deck. Narrowed down to Land Pride or Woods brand. I had been planning on getting a 60 inch deck. The Woods people claim that I can run their deck on this tractor with their 72 inch model. That seems big to me but is the same price as the 60 inch deck. The Land Pride people (also the Ford dealer in town) says stay at 60 inch. Woods dealer also says the Land Pride can not run on this tractor if it is the 72 inch model.

Has anyone been successful with a bigger deck on a 8N?

Curiously the Woods folks claim it is a 27 hp tractor and the Ford people say is it 23 hp. Online I find many different numbers.

Thanks for your time.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 13:24:34 06/06/11) I have a 1952 8N. We are in the process of buying a new finish mower deck. Narrowed down to Land Pride or Woods brand. I had been planning on getting a 60 inch deck. The Woods people claim that I can run their deck on this tractor with their 72 inch model. That seems big to me but is the same price as the 60 inch deck. The Land Pride people (also the Ford dealer in town) says stay at 60 inch. Woods dealer also says the Land Pride can not run on this tractor if it is the 72 inch model.

Has anyone been successful with a bigger deck on a 8N?

Curiously the Woods folks claim it is a 27 hp tractor and the Ford people say is it 23 hp. Online I find many different numbers.

Thanks for your time.

I have no problem with a 72" Woods RD7200 rear discharge mower and my 8N. The rear discharge models are not as much of a load as the side discharge models. I also use that same mower on my 19HP 4WD Kubby - only issue is it is a bit heavy for the Kubby and pushes it around some on steep slopes. Unless you plan on mowing extremely high grass I woudn't worry about a 72" mower on an 8N regardless of manufacturer or design.

 

[NOXJohn]

A 72 inch will work OK but I prefer a 60 inch. I have my wheels set at 60 inches on my 1949 8N so if I don't hit the tree, post, car etc with the tractor tire then the mower will not hit it. I would break a lot of stuff with a 72 inch mower.

 

[Bob In Missouri]

As far as horsepower, I am not near my manual, but I think both are right. Just one is measureing for motor and other is from pto. I am sure someone can tell you off top of his head. HTH, Bob

 

[Dell (WA)]

cumbres........while we recommend the 5-ft brushhogg, yer 26hp 8N can eazily handle the 6-ft finish mower. ........Dell

 

[Bob]

If you are keeping a lawn groomed, NO problem with the bigger mower. If you are tying to get overgrown areas back into shape, the big mower will likely give the tractor quite a workout.

 

[cumbres]

(quoted from post at 01:29:08 06/07/11) If you are keeping a lawn groomed, NO problem with the bigger mower. If you are tying to get overgrown areas back into shape, the big mower will likely give the tractor quite a workout.

We are mowing weekly. No irrigation on the grass. Grass is not thick nor is it allowed to get tall. I presume the rear discharge is lower HP requirement then our current side discharge King Kutter.

Thanks to everyone for your input. a bigger mower deck will help us speed things along.

 

[Dean]

Your 8N, if decent, will handle a 72" finish mower so long as you mow regularly to prevent trying to mow heavy grass, your lift is working properly and the deck is not too heavy.

Dean

 

[cumbres]

I think it is a little over 600 pounds. We do a 5 foot bushhog type mower without too much trouble. Only thing is it is kind of pushy on grades. After trying it the first time I realized the wisdom of the ORC.

 

[reddogge]

Been using a 72" rear discharge Woods finish mower for 21 years behind a 9N. No problems at all. I use a 60" bushhog though.

 

[Tom N MS]

Rear discharge whatever you do...Never another Land Pride of any kind shape form or fashion on my place..6 foot is no problem.

 

[cumbres]

(quoted from post at 05:10:04 06/07/11) Rear discharge whatever you do...Never another Land Pride of any kind shape form or fashion on my place..6 foot is no problem.

Can I ask what your issue with Land Pride was?

 

[Anonymous-0]

my 8n handles the 6ft. woods just fine,just make sure the leading edge of the blades are running just a tad lower than the trailing edge,if this is backwards it takes twice the horsepower.

 

[Tom N MS]

I had a 5 ft Big Bee-it did good behind my L1500 Kubota-used it several yrs then a guy I knew had this 4" LP FM and I thought it would be more maneuverable, lighter etc and would just be better for what I cut..New blades, like new in every way the LP just would not cut like the 5 ft Big Bee. I tried different PTO speeds etc. Basically, all I can figure is that the gearbox ratio just was not right..I know for a fact that the 4 fter just would not cut like it should. The 5 ft BB would go through knee high Byhalia grass with ease but the LP had to be pampered to get through the same stuff. Needless to say, I sold it and bought a 6 ft rear discharge First Choice Finish mower..Same Kubota will 6 footer will cut stuff that the 4 fter would not have gone through..Would not have believed it if I had not experienced it myself..Hope this helps.

 

[Tom N MS]

Rear discharge makes a world of difference. I would not buy anything other than rear discharge. Rear discharge is like adding several HP to your tractor.

 

[daz]

NOxJohn is correct about his preference for the 60 inch. It depends on how much stuff you mow around. I have a zillion trees. If I went 72 inches I"d be knocking into things. If you"re mowing in the open the 6 footer would be fine.

 

[cumbres]

Well we ordered the Land Pride FDR1672. Would have liked the Woods but the price differential was too great for the budget.

Thanks one and all for your input, it has been very valuable to me.

 

[Anonymous-0]

For the past 12 years I have been using a Woods RD8400 (7') rear discharge deck on my 8N with no problems. If the grass is really tall it will bog down though. So I would think a 6' deck should be no problem.