John Deere 4044m: Rotary Cutter First Time Use [Frontier RC2072]

After bending my PTO shaft on our Frontier RC2072 I finally got a replacement part which allowed me to mow around our pond for the first time this year. I have never used the John Deere 4044m to bush hog the tall weeds and young trees so it was a treat to see how well it worked. Using the Deere 4044m vs. the Deere 2025r was absolutely night and day. Previously, when using the John Deere 2025r it felt like I was going to flip backward or even on my side many times. When using the rotary cutter RC2072 with the John Deere 4044m I never had any of those feelings. I felt safe and I felt like I had plenty of power.
I am still very happy with upgrading from a John Deere 2025r to a John Deere 4044m.
The 4044m is a very capable tractor!~
Thanks
Shawn

[@AndyGarcia-ch1ci]

Oh! Also I meant to say I definitely have broken 2 of those pto shafts on my rc2072 as well! And I know the struggle of trying to find it at the store, it doesn't exist! Luckily I have a local parts store that ordered the shaft for me, both male and female for $80, but I had to install the couplers myself. But yes, its not a good feeling! Also meant to say I recommend greasing that shaft before you put it on and start using it as it's telescoping and will rub itself dry and break again.

[@AndyGarcia-ch1ci]

I believe you're mowing in medium range, you want to stay in low in a situation like that and also I see you added the bucket towards the end that's great. I may be wrong but what I heard was the hydraulic pressure relieving because it's lugging down do to being not in low range. I have a 4044m with 800 hours I use for my business and am not familiar with any alarm. I think it's just your hydraulic pressure relief valve squealing under a big load. Best way to fix that is low range! Great video and amazing tractor! I am biased though! Ha love the content.

[@Crispy88101]

To help new owners, it would be nice if y’all would share your experience, on how you bent the shaft, so we don’t make the same mistake. Thank you. (New 4044M Owner).

[@WoodwardAcres]

When I drove forward the mower popped off the 3pt….the end stayed connected to the tractor but the mower obviously stayed on the ground as I drove away….then I backed up and drove the end connected to the tractor into the ground as I didn’t see it was still connected. Bushings matter

[@09X19]

Tractors on hills are sketchy. I think next time I would use a lit match.

[@WoodwardAcres]

100% agree

[@KSpyrka]

Depending on the year and model, did you have to bypass the PTO, or did you have the new PTO/RIO switch and just hold it down until mowing in reverse? The Deere manual is vague on the 2032R for 2023 model year version.

[@travisricks3436]

That cutter cuts good.

[@odisdenney690]

I would have loaded that bucket with a couple hundred pounds of fire wood.

[@WoodwardAcres]

Not a terrible idea

[@odaat2001]

$175. Yes, I call it the idiot tax. I’ve had to pay the idiot tax a few times myself.

[@WoodwardAcres]

learning isn't free

[@WellsFamilyHomestead]

Bushhogs with same john deere 4044m tractor for several hours come light my grill and watch you bushhog