Rotary Cutter Need advise on what rotary Cutter I should buy?

[Gordo 56]

My wife has given me permission to buy a new rotary cutter and I need advise on which model to choose from. I want to buy the most heavy duty mower my tractor can handle. I have a Kubota L3000 DT and I have it narrowed down to two brands because that is what the nearest dealer to my property has. I really like the Woods BB 600X for 3,300.00 delivered because it seems very heavy duty. My concern is it weighs 1069lbs and was wondering if I might regret buying such a heavy mower. The other one I am thinking about is the Land Pride RCF 2060 for only 2400.00 delivered. It weighs only 690lbs. I have lots of brush and small 1 1/2 to 2 inch willow trees on my land and this land is in Iowa with some pasture on some hills.

I have an 5 ft Old Mott Flail mower now that I use and it does the job but the brush and trees knock off some of the blades sometimes. What mower should I buy for this tractor? I have pictures below of what I have to cut.

 

[jeff9366]

My Kubota B3300SU almost mirrors the stats of your L3000DT.

Tractor Data shows the L3000 to be 51" wide, so I presume you are shopping 60" Rotary Cutters.

With 27.5-HP/PTO when new, less now, I doubt if your tractor has the power to spin up a 1,069 pound cutter.

I expect the Land Pride at 690 pounds will work better for you.

It is pointless to have a Rotary Cutter that you cannot spin at optimal speed.

Land Pride and Woods are both well known for Rotary Cutters.

I cut up to 1-1/4" saplings with my 48" King Kutter Standard Duty L48-40.

I would think the Land Pride R/C would handle 2" soft willows fine with tractor covering the ground at slow speed.

Does your L3000DT have Position Control on the 3-Pt.? If not, you will need to consider Limit Chains such as Zercos, which would be another reason to favor a 690 pound R/C over a 1,069 pound R/C.

What advice did the dealer give?

You may want to call Tech Support at Woods and Land Pride for their recommendations.

 

[Thomabear]

If your cutter is going to be sleeping outside consider a 5' Modern. They are heavy duty, seal welded and hot dip galvanized. They come standard with a heavy duty gearbox and PTO clutch.

 

[Gordo 56]

My Kubota B3300SU almost mirrors the stats of your L3000DT.

Tractor Data shows the L3000 to be 51" wide, so I presume you are shopping 60" Rotary Cutters.

With 27.5-HP/PTO when new, less now, I doubt if your tractor has the power to spin up a 1,069 pound cutter.

I expect the Land Pride at 690 pounds will work better for you.

It is pointless to have a Rotary Cutter that you cannot spin at optimal speed.

Land Pride and Woods are both well known for Rotary Cutters.

I cut up to 1-1/4" saplings with my 48" King Kutter Standard Duty L48-40.

I would think the Land Pride R/C would handle 2" soft willows fine with tractor covering the ground at slow speed.

Does your L3000DT have Position Control on the 3-Pt.? If not, you will need to consider Limit Chains such as Zercos, which would be another reason to favor a 690 pound R/C over a 1,069 pound R/C.

What advice did the dealer give?

Dealer said he thinks it would be no problem for the Heavy Duty Woods cutter for my tractor, but he is trying to sell me. I am thinking you are right about the lighter cutter, and will probably go that route. Thanks for your advise.

 

[Piston]

Gordo,
I don't see why you can't go with the heavy duty cutter. You "shouldn't" have a problem with spinning the blades at the proper RPM. The heavy duty designation mostly refers to thicker steel, stronger gear boxes, heavier duty componenets, but all else equal, it should be able to spin a 5' heavy duty mower similar to a lighter duty 5' mower. You may notice a bit of a difference with it getting up to speed, but you should be able to use that cutter just fine. The extra weight becomes a problem when referring to 3 point lift capacity and a rather lightweight tractor. A 1k lb cutter would seriously be a handful for your tractor, but you should be able to handle it. if you need the extra cut capacity and overall "toughness" then go with the heavier cutter, if you don't need that and your just cutting small brush and not hitting many rocks and stumps, then go with the lighter cutter. If your thinking of upgrading your tractor over the next few years, definitely go with the bigger one.

In my opinion, your right on the fence with which cutter you could go with. I personally would go with the heavier one, but I am usually overkill with what I recommend, so take it with a grain of salt.

Also, I haven't looked at the specs/model numbers, but I thought the RCF was a finish mower?

 

[Dingeryote]

Woods makes the better chopper period, and for heavy brush, it's the better option.

The power of your bota should suffice, but expect a slower spin up than with lighter units.
The advantage goes to more rotating mass, when working with less PTO power.
You just go slower in the heavy stuff, and let the rotating mass work for you.

The BIG disadvantage, comes when loading the thing on the trailer, and operating on loose ground.
The tail will wag the dog, and front weight will be needed, as well as brake steering.

Dunno how far away you're located, but Woods Brothers(Alf Woods implements) in Bangor Mich. is closing up, and closing out the inventory at bargain prices. The owner had some recent health issues, and wont sell what he can't service, so he's closing shop.
There was a 5' extreme duty Brush bull on the lot this afternoon, that wasn't sold yet.
If it's worth the drive, give them a call.

 

[Degolyerent]

Landpride makes a RCR 2660 which is their medium duty cutter which would be plenty for what you need to do. It compares more to the Woods cutter you are pricing.
John

 

[TripleR]

I addressed this on another site, OTT and if your hills are very steep, a lot of weight on the back can really affect stability. I run a cutter that weight on my L5740 HSTC Land Pride RCR2672 and have to have the FEL on or a LOT of front weights and it is quite a bit heavier than the L3000DT. I am sure the tractor will spin it, but the weight concerns me if steep hills are involved.

 

[jeff9366]

GORDO: Find out if your tractor has POSITION CONTROL on the three-point-hitch.

 

[leonz]

My wife has given me permission to buy a new rotary cutter and I need advise on which model to choose from. I want to buy the most heavy duty mower my tractor can handle. I have a Kubota L3000 DT and I have it narrowed down to two brands because that is what the nearest dealer to my property has. I really like the Woods BB 600X for 3,300.00 delivered because it seems very heavy duty. My concern is it weighs 1069lbs and was wondering if I might regret buying such a heavy mower. The other one I am thinking about is the Land Pride RCF 2060 for only 2400.00 delivered. It weighs only 690lbs. I have lots of brush and small 1 1/2 to 2 inch willow trees on my land and this land is in Iowa with some pasture on some hills.

I have an 5 ft Old Mott Flail mower now that I use and it does the job but the brush and trees knock off some of the blades sometimes. What mower should I buy for this tractor? I have pictures below of what I have to cut.View attachment 335405View attachment 335406View attachment 335407View attachment 335408View attachment 335409

As you already own a Mott flailmowe;

You also should consider a Caroni rough cut flail mower.

Their two row flailmowers have hardened side slicers and we have many
happy owners of this model on the forum.

The Caroni TM1600BSC model has a 63 inch cutting width and has 2 row flail mower rotor
with 24 mounting stations using shackles to attach the 48 hardened side slicer knives.
This model wieghs in at 628 pounds.

 

[Gordo 56]

Thanks for all of your advise, you all have helped me with this decision and I have decided to go with the lighter Land Pride. I really appreciate all of you who responded and your knowledge. You helped make this easier for me.

Thanks again.

 

[LD1]

I think you made the right decision on that one.

I dont know if you have a FEL or not, but your tractor is about 200# lighter than my L3400. And I have a bushhog 306 that is the same weight as that woods. Without the FEL on I can do a one arm curl by grabbing the brush guard. So no way would I consider that without about 700#+ of front weights or a FEL.

I also have a bushhog 105 cutter. Not sure of the weight but I would guess its in the 600ish ballpark. THAT one I can take the loader off and maneuver the trails in the woods with. But it isnt as heavy duty, so I use the 306 and FEL for commercial work.

Now if you dropped to a 5' cutter of the same HD design as the woods, you'd prolly be okay, since it would be a little lighter and weight kept a little closer, but you made the right call. Your dealer should be fired for even suggesting that heavy of a cutter for your tractor.

 

[Piston]

GORDO: Find out if your tractor has POSITION CONTROL on the three-point-hitch.

Jeff,
What do you mean by "position control"? Are you referring to mechanical draft control? I don't see why draft control would be helpful with a rotary cutter?

 

[murphy1244]

Jeff,
What do you mean by "position control"? Are you referring to mechanical draft control? I don't see why draft control would be helpful with a rotary cutter?

Position Control- It stays where I set it not waver up and down. No Jerky Hitch

 

[Piston]

Position Control- It stays where I set it not waver up and down. No Jerky Hitch

So the 3 point arms will not go up with position control? In other words, they are "locked" in place? This is pretty interesting because you could provide downpressure if this is the case, although, a normal tractor is not typically built to handle all the stresses of downpressure?

 

[murphy1244]

So the 3 point arms will not go up with position control? In other words, they are "locked" in place? This is pretty interesting because you could provide downpressure if this is the case, although, a normal tractor is not typically built to handle all the stresses of downpressure?

I take it you have Jerky Hitch?

 

[Piston]

I take it you have Jerky Hitch?

No, not at all. I'm confused about the term "position control" As far as I know, all tractors have position control. You simply set the 3 pt hitch at the desired height, and it will not go any lower, it can however, raise up as three point hitches are designed to "float" (aside from some in rare instances). I was wondering if position control was an added option or something I've never heard of.

 

[murphy1244]

Position Control was standard on my machine as well as Draft Control. How would you use a Rear Blade if it floats up while digging a Ditch?

Draft Control does the moving up if used.

 

[xring100]

No, not at all. I'm confused about the term "position control" As far as I know, all tractors have position control. You simply set the 3 pt hitch at the desired height, and it will not go any lower, it can however, raise up as three point hitches are designed to "float" (aside from some in rare instances). I was wondering if position control was an added option or something I've never heard of.

I think some of the bx or b series have a quarter inching valve but not position control. I believe this might also be the case on some of the small J.D.s

 

[Piston]

I don't want to hijack this thread anymore than I already have. I'll do some searching into position control. I've always assumed 3 point hitch arms always floated up, regardless of position control or draft control. I thought it was the weight of the implement that kept them down.....

Off to google searching.