Rotary Cutter Decision Ideas

WiKioti · Apr 12, 2018

OMG, I've read and read and think I get more confused. I talk with dealers, give them tractor specs. and get different opinions on equipment. Anyone want to confuse me even more. I understand they want to sell what they handle. Bush hog, Woods, others, seems to vary. Do any of these young salespeople really know much. Us Baby Boomers are leaving the work force and what is following us?

First: Grew up on farm, have dads old IH Super H, but use that for fun. I have a 2013 Kioti CK3510, 34 bhp, 29 at PTO if memory serves me right. I have a 5' KK tiller that works great behind this tractor. I don't want too big of rotary Cutter, that puts strain on tractor drivetain/engine. Would like to match system good.

What I want to cut: 20 acres of land, half wooded and half open grass with sumac". Want to cut the grass maybe 5' tall, and whack up sumac. Some of it is like 4" thick, I'll pull that stuff out first on burn pile. Not much for rocks above ground here. Doubt I'll ever do any work in the woods, too much down stuff.

I'm hoping to be able to cut grass, small up to 2" saplings, brush, vines, oak, maple, stuff like that, but mostly sumac (2"- 4"). Sumac is not even close to the hardness of regular trees, even softer than pine. So.........

I'm thinking a 5' unit, I can spend up to $2000, but don't want to if I don't have to. Will a KK, do the job? Or do I need to go up to a heavier duty unit. What is the minimum gearbox required really. Retired on limited budget as well.

Thanks you all, appreciate those that have been there.

Wikioti

Bigfoot62 · Apr 12, 2018

No bigger than a 5'. If you were just mowing short grass, then maybe a 6', but not whacking brush. HUGE difference that extra foot makes.

Buy as "heavy duty" of a unit as you can afford. I have two 5' cutters that are really old. A pull-type Sidewinder that was bought new in the 70's and a 3pt Modern Highway Special that was bought new in '81. Can't tear either one up with a 35 HP tractor. Both are HD units. My only regret in the last 35 years of buying equipment, is buying a "medium duty" 7' Rhino. The main problem with it was the tail wheel. I had to completely replace it with a heavier tail wheel assembly. The only downside to a HD cutter, besides the price, would be if it's too much weight for your tractor to lift, but in a 5' cutter, that shouldn't be a problem.

What to look for:
Thickness of deck metal. (and sides too)
HP rating of gearbox and PTO shaft.
Sturdiness of 3pt hitch hardware, and tail wheel assembly.

I don't know anything about them, but Tractor Supply has just started carrying a Bad Boy brand cutter. It LOOKS good! I have a Bad Boy zero turn mower, and love it. If their rotary cutter is as good as their mowers, it should be a good one. It's not even showing up on their website, but the local TSC store had the 5' and 6' cutters on the lot last week. IIRC, the 5' was $1400 and the 6' was $2000.
Here's the link to the cutters on the Bad Boy website: Bad Boy Cutters, Rotary Cutter, Brush Cutter, Brush Mower - Bad Boy Mowers

Maybe that will help. Or, it could just confuse you more.

Rmart30 · Apr 12, 2018

A rcr 2060 landpride would be my first look. And it looks like they are in your price range according to the link below.
TractorHouse.com | LAND PRIDE RCF2

For Sale - 11 Listings - Page 1.

Turbys_1700 · Apr 13, 2018

Your tractor will be a good match for the King Kutter Cutters. I run a 6' Brown that is one heavy unit on a 4610 SU. I tried running it on a 1720 New Holland and the tail was wagging the dog.

oosik · Apr 13, 2018

WiKioti - I understand your confusion. I've sort of put rotary cutters on the back burner - as far as purchase. My dilemma - my current tractor has plenty of PTO HP to power the cutter I would like - its the weight of the cutter that is the big bugaboo.

Actually, it IS NOT the weight of the cutter - its what Kubota recommends for a max weight of a cutter. My 3-point will lift 4200# at the ball joints at the end of the lower link arms and 3300# - 24" behind the ball joints. Yet for a cutter the max recommended is - - 1200 pounds and 84" wide.

I understand that with a cutter the weight is WAY out back but going from 3300# at 24" to a max of a 1200# cutter is a fairly significant reduction.

I guess I'm just fortunate that having/needing/using a rotary cutter - for me - is not a critical requirement.

WiKioti · Apr 13, 2018

TY to all who responded. If forgot about weight on 3pt to pickup the unit. Need to check that out too. Will look at all ideas. Snow storm coming today and tomorrow, so time to reflect a bit. winter is not over in wisconsin yet.

YLee Kioti · Apr 13, 2018

WiKioti said:
OMG, I've read and read and think I get more confused. I talk with dealers, give them tractor specs. and get different opinions on equipment. Anyone want to confuse me even more. I understand they want to sell what they handle. Bush hog, Woods, others, seems to vary. Do any of these young salespeople really know much. Us Baby Boomers are leaving the work force and what is following us?

First: Grew up on farm, have dads old IH Super H, but use that for fun. I have a 2013 Kioti CK3510, 34 bhp, 29 at PTO if memory serves me right. I have a 5' KK tiller that works great behind this tractor. I don't want too big of rotary Cutter, that puts strain on tractor drivetain/engine. Would like to match system good.

What I want to cut: 20 acres of land, half wooded and half open grass with sumac". Want to cut the grass maybe 5' tall, and whack up sumac. Some of it is like 4" thick, I'll pull that stuff out first on burn pile. Not much for rocks above ground here. Doubt I'll ever do any work in the woods, too much down stuff.

I'm hoping to be able to cut grass, small up to 2" saplings, brush, vines, oak, maple, stuff like that, but mostly sumac (2"- 4"). Sumac is not even close to the hardness of regular trees, even softer than pine. So.........

I'm thinking a 5' unit, I can spend up to $2000, but don't want to if I don't have to. Will a KK, do the job? Or do I need to go up to a heavier duty unit. What is the minimum gearbox required really. Retired on limited budget as well.

Thanks you all, appreciate those that have been there.

Wikioti

So I went through the same process when I bought the CK4010HST.
I had two choices:
A-6' light duty cutter Rino unit
B- 5' medium duty Rino cutter.

A 6' medium duty, was told would make the front end a bit 'too light' for proper handling.

With that in mind when looking at cutters search for the weight of each one.
Here is the info from the pdf manal from Rino:
Equipment Specifications
Cutting Width 60 Blade Tip Speed 540 PTO
Transport Width 66-3/16 Center 14,335 FPM
Overall Width 66
Overall Length 91-1/2
Cutting Height 1-5/8
Gearbox Rating - 540 RPM 65 HP
HP Required (min.) 20-40HP Limited Warranty 5 Year
Cutting Capacity (max) 1-1/2
Weight 562 lbs. Driveline Size CAT 3
Limited Warranty 1 Year

So your machine can run the medium duty 5 footer and cut large soft saplings. If you get a 6 footer then light duty. As far as which make, like Ford Chevy debate its what happens to be a good fit for you. Dealer proximity, price, serviceability etc.
Regards...
But 20 acres will keep you plenty busy cutting!

Turbys_1700 · Apr 13, 2018

I'm going to purchase my neighbor farmer's 2510 bush hog. It's a semi mount. My Workmaster 50 or 4610 SU can handle it since it's a semi mount.

MESSMAKER · Apr 14, 2018

Look for a medium duty or heavy duty cutter in the 1000lb range,maybe a little less, and you will be fine.Thicker metal and good 3pt mount and strong tail wheel are the most important to me. A 5 foot would be fine, but you could use a 6 foot as well. One you cut everything the first time or two, you won't need nearly as tough a machine. You may want to get a used five foot to use until you get things in shape and then decide how to move forward.

BMan2005 · Apr 14, 2018

WiKioti said:
OMG, I've read and read and think I get more confused. I talk with dealers, give them tractor specs. and get different opinions on equipment. Anyone want to confuse me even more. I understand they want to sell what they handle. Bush hog, Woods, others, seems to vary. Do any of these young salespeople really know much. Us Baby Boomers are leaving the work force and what is following us?

First: Grew up on farm, have dads old IH Super H, but use that for fun. I have a 2013 Kioti CK3510, 34 bhp, 29 at PTO if memory serves me right. I have a 5' KK tiller that works great behind this tractor. I don't want too big of rotary Cutter, that puts strain on tractor drivetain/engine. Would like to match system good.

What I want to cut: 20 acres of land, half wooded and half open grass with sumac". Want to cut the grass maybe 5' tall, and whack up sumac. Some of it is like 4" thick, I'll pull that stuff out first on burn pile. Not much for rocks above ground here. Doubt I'll ever do any work in the woods, too much down stuff.

I'm hoping to be able to cut grass, small up to 2" saplings, brush, vines, oak, maple, stuff like that, but mostly sumac (2"- 4"). Sumac is not even close to the hardness of regular trees, even softer than pine. So.........

I'm thinking a 5' unit, I can spend up to $2000, but don't want to if I don't have to. Will a KK, do the job? Or do I need to go up to a heavier duty unit. What is the minimum gearbox required really. Retired on limited budget as well.

Thanks you all, appreciate those that have been there.

Wikioti

Bigfoot62 said:
No bigger than a 5'. If you were just mowing short grass, then maybe a 6', but not whacking brush. HUGE difference that extra foot makes.

Buy as "heavy duty" of a unit as you can afford. I have two 5' cutters that are really old. A pull-type Sidewinder that was bought new in the 70's and a 3pt Modern Highway Special that was bought new in '81. Can't tear either one up with a 35 HP tractor. Both are HD units. My only regret in the last 35 years of buying equipment, is buying a "medium duty" 7' Rhino. The main problem with it was the tail wheel. I had to completely replace it with a heavier tail wheel assembly. The only downside to a HD cutter, besides the price, would be if it's too much weight for your tractor to lift, but in a 5' cutter, that shouldn't be a problem.

What to look for:
Thickness of deck metal. (and sides too)
HP rating of gearbox and PTO shaft.
Sturdiness of 3pt hitch hardware, and tail wheel assembly.

I don't know anything about them, but Tractor Supply has just started carrying a Bad Boy brand cutter. It LOOKS good! I have a Bad Boy zero turn mower, and love it. If their rotary cutter is as good as their mowers, it should be a good one. It's not even showing up on their website, but the local TSC store had the 5' and 6' cutters on the lot last week. IIRC, the 5' was $1400 and the 6' was $2000.
Here's the link to the cutters on the Bad Boy website: Bad Boy Cutters, Rotary Cutter, Brush Cutter, Brush Mower - Bad Boy Mowers

Maybe that will help. Or, it could just confuse you more.

OP, I've been in the same situation finding a new cutter for our Kubota as the original mower is about ready to be replaced. It has 27.5hp at the PTO and several seem to think for all around mowing grass and brush stick with a 5' mower. This came from others with experience with 25-30 PTO hp who some attempted a 6' and said it was possible but going really slow.

For the money if looking to not break the bank but solid the Kodiak & Titan seem to be about the best built mowers for the price. A Medium duty can be had from either for $1100-$1200. And Heavy duty for about $250 more. Blade top speed on both are 12,500, not the fastest unfortunately. But for the money solid units much better than the TSC KK mowers unless you got the professional series I've read.

The Bad Boy mower looks awesome and has just over 16,000 fpm blade top speed in the 5' mower and like he said looks to be built solid, especially for the money. But I've only found them for $1800 the cheapest. If TSC is carrying them now for $1400 I know what I'll be purchasing. Appreciate the heads up Bigfoot!