MX5800 rotary cutter opinions

[MtnViewRanch]

so given "wider is better" what are the pto/tractor hp requirements of an 8'twin drag type cutter? & of course, many overlook, as you mention, height of grass & condition of cutter knives. @ this point, think the thread has become speculation & rhetorical, & yes, we need more info.

As per link in post #23.

It sure seems as though one of these would not be any issue for an MX tractor.

 

[jyoutz]

actually that could well be. at the time i considered a 7', then upgraded to M series & went w/8'twin 3ph, glad i did rather than 7'. as noted above, the twin provides smooth even cut.
it's possible the OP could get a drag type twin for the MX, but for me 3ph is essential.

Obviously it depends on what is being cut. I’m only cutting grass, small shrubs, and small saplings.

 

[Chewwy]

Interesting that the OP is looking at a very heavy duty 6 ft. cutter. Having stated he did not want to buy “light duty junk that will rust out in 2 years.”

My Woods BB72 is much lighter in weight (702 lbs.) than the 1300 lb behemoth he is considering. I have had the lighter duty cutter for 18 years and has little if any rust even though it is not kept inside under cover and gets used about 40 hours per year. It will likely outlive me.

 

[big bubba]

jyoutz yes indeed. & cond of cutter knives is often overlooked, so much difference

 

[JWR]

Interesting that the OP is looking at a very heavy duty 6 ft. cutter. Having stated he did not want to buy “light duty junk that will rust out in 2 years.”

My Woods BB72 is much lighter in weight (702 lbs.) than the 1300 lb behemoth he is considering. I have had the lighter duty cutter for 18 years and has little if any rust even though it is not kept inside under cover and gets used about 40 hours per year. It will likely outlive me.

He has been quiet while the rest of us rattled on ... but I he mentioned early that he only needs to use the cutter a small amount (at most 20 hrs per year he said.) And he is considering this particular heavy duty 6ft hog because it is available nearby, in good shape and $3000 as opposed to $7K new. Not much question a light or medium duty would do him just fine ... and I already told him I'd come get it (a heavy duty BH416 in good shape for $3K) in case he does not buy it. At risk of putting words in his mouth when he said " I don’t want to buy light duty junk that will rust out in 2 years" I think he was talking quality and durability, not "light duty" in the sense of what it could cut.

 

[turkish]

Interesting that the OP is looking at a very heavy duty 6 ft. cutter. Having stated he did not want to buy “light duty junk that will rust out in 2 years.”

My Woods BB72 is much lighter in weight (702 lbs.) than the 1300 lb behemoth he is considering. I have had the lighter duty cutter for 18 years and has little if any rust even though it is not kept inside under cover and gets used about 40 hours per year. It will likely outlive me.

Thanks for this input. My only other data point was a Rhino that did not survive uncovered nearly as wellas yours. Patches required about 8 years in; retired after 12. Maybe I’m basing too much on that anecdote.

Nevertheless, I was looking for a deal and the 416 seemed like one as long as I could handle it. If I had a blank check to go buy new, I’d probably be asking other questions.

And the “light duty junk” comment was simply referring to a lot of the heavily used Chinese rust buckets I see occupying the bulk of the used ads. I can see that that was vague and maybe inflammatory.

That said, I’d certainly be interested in any quality piece that looks to be 40% of MSRP.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I used a Brush Hog SQ172 behind my MX5800HST for over 5 years and had no issues cutting rough fallow pasture. The RPM drops a bit when I get into the 3 and 4" stuff, but it does the job.

I haven't used it much since I bought a 72" articulating flail mower. It's far more versatile than the BH and does a better job of mulching the cuttings. With hammer flails, it will handle 3" but complains a lot with anything bigger. The BH is great for the heavy stuff, mostly Autumn Olive around here, but once cleared, it isn't needed for most of what I cut now.

The flail also takes up less than half the valuable barn floor space that the BH does. To me, for what I do, the flail is more useful than a BH.

YMMV

 

[Chewwy]

Thanks for this input. My only other data point was a Rhino that did not survive uncovered nearly as wellas yours. Patches required about 8 years in; retired after 12. Maybe I’m basing too much on that anecdote.

Nevertheless, I was looking for a deal and the 416 seemed like one as long as I could handle it. If I had a blank check to go buy new, I’d probably be asking other questions.

And the “light duty junk” comment was simply referring to a lot of the heavily used Chinese rust buckets I see occupying the bulk of the used ads. I can see that that was vague and maybe inflammatory.

That said, I’d certainly be interested in any quality piece that looks to be 40% of MSRP.

One other issue to consider is its weight.

My 700 lb Woods 72 in cutter is relatively easy to hook up the the 3 pt hitch. Sometimes I have to manhandle it using a heavy steel rod or a 2 x 4 to assist lining up with hitch pins.

I also have a much heavier 8 ft Bush Hog that weighs about 1700 lbs. It is not so easily maneuvered.

 

[BackRoad]

I used a Brush Hog SQ172 behind my MX5800HST for over 5 years and had no issues cutting rough fallow pasture. The RPM drops a bit when I get into the 3 and 4" stuff, but it does the job.

I haven't used it much since I bought a 72" articulating flail mower. It's far more versatile than the BH and does a better job of mulching the cuttings. With hammer flails, it will handle 3" but complains a lot with anything bigger. The BH is great for the heavy stuff, mostly Autumn Olive around here, but once cleared, it isn't needed for most of what I cut now.

The flail also takes up less than half the valuable barn floor space that the BH does. To me, for what I do, the flail is more useful than a BH.

YMMV

Mr. BDHSFZ6, what articulating flail mower do you own?

 

[WVH1977]

I had a Woods BB600X. Bought it for small pines and brush. It was overkill and Heavy Duty for what I was doing. It was really too much for my New Holland TC40 but it turned it and worked. Gearbox was rated for 120 HP. See pic below to get an idea of how big and heavy it was. I set a big chainsaw lube container next to it to show how big it was.

I eventually sold it amd bought a Woods BB72X. Much better and cuts up to 2 inch. It is medium duty and handles everything I throw at it. Just make sure you are aware how heavy some of these units are and make sure you really need that capability.