JD 2305 vs. 4ft rotary cutter?

[cdhd2001]

I would like to buy a 4ft rotary cutter for my JD 2305. I have done some forum searching and found a few good and bad posts on this subject.

I have 3 acres of brush I would like to gradually clean it up. My brush consists of tall grass, weeds, rose/thorny brush, and small saplings up to 1 1/2" dia. I am selectively cutting anything larger than 1 1/2" dia. with either a sawzall or chainsaw.

I have looked at several models of 4ft rotary cutters and finally decided on this one.

King Kutter XB 4ft. Advertised as "made" for smaller sub-cut tractors (like mine). I like the twin rear wheels because it should provide a smoother finish mower like cut. TSC is the current price winner at $674.

Any opinions?

P.S. I am currently building a skid plate for the hyrdo filter/fan assembly.

 

[cardenharry]

This may be the best for your tractor but I do feel that the cutter would work better if the back were open for discharge. I owned one for a while and it seemed with heavy grass and weeds that it would leave piles behind. Perhaps I was cutting too close for the condition. Nothing wrong that I could see with the quality. I soon realized I should have bought a larger cutter for my tractor so I sold mine to a friend and bought a 5' KK from TSC.

 

[Soundguy]

Probably a good mower.. but don't delude yourself that it will give you a finish mower cut merely because it has 2 tail wheels... At most. the 2 tail wheels will help with some side to side stability, and overall weight carrying ability with respect to the SCUT powering it.

Blade tip speed, blad sharpness, and front angle of the deck will be the primary controllers of the cut 'look'. Without having 4 'floating' rollers, plus proper combination of the other variables i mentioned.. you won't get true finish mower cut quality.

That said.. a brush mower set with the blades sharp can give you a decent 'shaggy lawn' cut a little lower in quality that a cheap rider mower.. as long as you don't live in a fancy neighborhood.. it's fine! (wink) one mor ething.. if I'm cutting brush.. I would not sharpen my mower blades... it'l just beat them up..

Soundguy

 

[orlo]

Just an option. I have a 2305 and a 3720 and run a 5' LX5 on the 3720. I also own (Got it first) a 30" DR Field and brush mower and the F&B mower will take down 2 1/2" stuff easily and laugh at stumps, etc. as I'll just 'hop' over them (usually).

Don't get me wrong, I love the tractors, but the Dr will let me get into, over, and under (Trees) places that I can never get with the tractors. If it's a large 'clear' area you'll be brushing a lot you can't beat the cutters, but if you are doing mostly a one time clearing then touch up you might want to consider a Dr
(or Clone). I still use my DR more than my 5' brush hog due to manuverability and the blades first design. If I run full force into a stump I'll just stall it and suffer no damage and the belts will slip enough to not damage anything.

Note that I"m talking about the walk behind Dr, not the newer pull ones. Those are rated only 1.5" I think.

The 'open' places that I've cleared with the Dr I would take the 3720 but probably not the 2305 due to low ground clearance, etc. The fact that you have to run over everything first I really don't like. I know you can back up over stuff but then it's just awkward. I haven't broken any cooling fin's on my 2305's fan, but I have 'chattered' it a few times running over loose brush.

Anyway, my .02.

 

[cdhd2001]

Not a fancy neighborhood by any means. My front yard is more than half brush.

Not looking for a finish cut, just want to beat the brush into submission.

Orlo, I am picking up some plate steel this week to finish up the skid plate. Should completely cover the underside from the loader cross bar to the rear hitch. I also have a "mini" walk behind brush cutter that is good for thumb sized stuff. Plus, have a weed wacker brush cutter too.

 

[cdhd2001]

This may be the best for your tractor but I do feel that the cutter would work better if the back were open for discharge. I owned one for a while and it seemed with heavy grass and weeds that it would leave piles behind. Perhaps I was cutting too close for the condition. Nothing wrong that I could see with the quality. I soon realized I should have bought a larger cutter for my tractor so I sold mine to a friend and bought a 5' KK from TSC.

Is the two wheeled orange model closed in the back or the one wheel yellow? I have not looked at an orange one in person, just the yellow one.

This is my other option.

 

[Soundguy]

The 1-wheel model will be cheaper.. and has an open back.. can't tell you about the back on the 2 wheel model.. but typically the XB line is more $$ for similar sized products.. etc.

Might check the pin spacing.. might be cat 0 spaced with cat 1 pins

soundguy

 

[cdhd2001]

The 1-wheel model will be cheaper.. and has an open back.. can't tell you about the back on the 2 wheel model.. but typically the XB line is more $$ for similar sized products.. etc.

Might check the pin spacing.. might be cat 0 spaced with cat 1 pins

soundguy

I believe you are right.

The KK XB is cat 0 with cat 1 pins. I have an XB series middle buster and 5 ft grader blade.

TSC lists the KK XB for $674 and the yellow one for $679. TCS has the yellow one in stock and would have to order the KK XB.

On a side note, the JD LX4 looks like the yellow model.

I do have some concern as to the durability of the KK XB and if it uses standard parts, ie. the blades.

P.S. Would a chain front guard be hard to make? I also have a left over semi truck mud flap to make a rubber guard.

 

[RalphVa]

That yellow model looks more like my LX4 I use on my 4010 (and LX4 is speced for the 2305). Looks a bit heavier duty than the other model with bolt-on side pieces. The yellow model needs some chain guards in the front. I have chains in front but open in back because I don't take it along side roads or near buildings to need the protection out the back side.

My Gravely had a one piece guard like the one shown on the other model. A one piece guard will hang up on stuff and distort.

Ralph

 

[Deadman]

LX4 is much heavier built than the ones posted.

You can buy a good used one for $600, and not have to worry about it. I cut 2 inch brush off with my LX4, and it doesn't have a dent in it yet. Just replaced the blades, and they're really thick.