12' Rotary Cutter Search is Over! Finally!

[rockinbbar]

I picked up my new Woods BW12.40 12' rotary cutter this week!

This ends my quest for a heavier built 12 foot cutter that is made for actually using it more than a couple days a year!

I've used a 12' cutter for years, but have had less than stellar results out of the one's designed for low horsepower tractors, and not medium horsepower utility tractors. The Modern Ag 12' Viper was what I replaced with the new Woods 12.40. BW12.40 - Woods Equipment

Earlier in the year, I got a new Woods 15.72 cutter, and it has been a real pleasure to run. And run it I did! Hundreds of hours this summer. Best Extra Heavy Duty you can get in my opinion.

Now Woods just released the BW12.40 that incorporates much of the same design and operating features as it's XHD cousin... I have it connected to my Powerstar 75 tractor, and it is performing better than I expected!

I've run it hard through some rough ranch conditions in hot, dry weather, and it cut great, and handled REALLY good. The cut was flawless... those blades are really whistling on the cutter, and the result is a cut that even I'm impressed with. No skipping, and nothing left standing!

These cutters were made for the higher horsepower tractors that I need, but I think it'll run behind anything from 40 through 120hp.

Just thought I would share, as I have been here pleading for a good cutter that is heavier, and made for medium horsepower utility tractors. I believe my search is over!

 

[Molalla1]

Nice!!!!!

 

[hayden]

What did you like about it compared to a Landpride 12'?

 

[rockinbbar]

What did you like about it compared to a Landpride 12'?

I was looking for something more heavy duty to last me many years.

While I don't cut any brush the size would matter, I DO pay attention to the cutting diameter the manufacturer rates the machine at. This basically just tells me how much faith the company has in what the machine will do... The LP is rated by them at 1.5" and this Woods is rated at 2.5".

Aside from that, the Woods is over 500 pounds heavier. Maybe thicker plate on the decks?

The wing hinges on the Woods has grease fittings where they won't bind when raising/lowering wings. I've had those that do bind, and it's a PITA when they do.

The Woods has heavier driveline ratings than the LP, and can handle more horsepower/torque. (That's not really a "brush" thing, but more of a heavy growth application...like heavy, thick grass/weeds. That can clog up or slow down a tractor pretty fast.)

I liked the tire options on the Woods. I got the 25.5" severe ag duty foam filled tires. I know those are primo.

The wing leveling turn buckles on the Woods are extra heavy duty, and hold wing position very well. Much heavier than most 12' cutters. Small turnbuckles will give you headaches in rough, uneven ground.

Imagine the LP cutter is a good cutter. But for my purposes, I need professional grade, as I put lots of hours on them. If they had given me a choice, I would have opted for their bigger gear boxes, like on their base model 15' cutter... But they warranty them for 10 years, so that's all good.

 

[rockinbbar]

As an afterthought..

Bush Hog, Land Pride, and Modern Ag 12' winged cutters ALL have the same framework design and deck system. Bush Hog was the originator of that design years ago.

I've had the Modern Ag Viper for the last 5 years. About the only difference in the 3 cutters may be paint on BH & LP, and galvanized on the MA, and the gear boxes and hydraulic cylinders are probably of different quality. (I KNOW Modern uses in my opinion, cheap Chinese gear boxes and cylinders, as I had them all replaced at least once each, and some, a couple of times.)

 

[big bubba]

mind revealing the price?
in addition, do you have a modest way of lifting over rocks & stumps?
assume this is drag type. regards

 

[hayden]

I was looking for something more heavy duty to last me many years.

While I don't cut any brush the size would matter, I DO pay attention to the cutting diameter the manufacturer rates the machine at. This basically just tells me how much faith the company has in what the machine will do... The LP is rated by them at 1.5" and this Woods is rated at 2.5".

Aside from that, the Woods is over 500 pounds heavier. Maybe thicker plate on the decks?

The wing hinges on the Woods has grease fittings where they won't bind when raising/lowering wings. I've had those that do bind, and it's a PITA when they do.

The Woods has heavier driveline ratings than the LP, and can handle more horsepower/torque. (That's not really a "brush" thing, but more of a heavy growth application...like heavy, thick grass/weeds. That can clog up or slow down a tractor pretty fast.)

I liked the tire options on the Woods. I got the 25.5" severe ag duty foam filled tires. I know those are primo.

The wing leveling turn buckles on the Woods are extra heavy duty, and hold wing position very well. Much heavier than most 12' cutters. Small turnbuckles will give you headaches in rough, uneven ground.

Imagine the LP cutter is a good cutter. But for my purposes, I need professional grade, as I put lots of hours on them. If they had given me a choice, I would have opted for their bigger gear boxes, like on their base model 15' cutter... But they warranty them for 10 years, so that's all good.

Interesting. The new .40 has indeed beefed things up. When I was looking a year ago all those points favored the Landpride. I see now that the woods is 500 lbs heavier, as you say, probably because the deck is now 10 ga, same as the LP. The woods used to be 12ga. And I see they beefed up the drive line to Cat 4/4, however the LP is 6/4. And the Woods gear box ratings now match the LP where before they were less.

Those are all nice improvements. Do you mind me asking what you paid for it?

I know what you mean about these mowers varying a lot in durability. I have a nearly 20 year old Woods BB720 that is much, much more durable that other mowers that I've seen, and mine had hit quite a few rocks and stumps over the years, and the mower always wins. The LP 2512 that I got is definitely not as durable, but was also a good bit less expensive. I only mow my own fields so it should only see grass with minimal surprises, unlike the BB720. I hope I'm still happy with it in 10 years.

 

[rockinbbar]

mind revealing the price?
in addition, do you have a modest way of lifting over rocks & stumps?
assume this is drag type. regards

My deal included a trade in, but leaving the trade out it was like $17k.

It's pulled like a trailer from your draw bar, and yessir a hydraulic cylinder controls the deck height, so you can raise it like 14 inches above ground level, then lower it back to the cutting height.

 

[hayden]

in addition, do you have a modest way of lifting over rocks & stumps?
assume this is drag type. regards

Good question. I'm also interested to hear how yours works.

Mine came plumbed for a single remote, so one remote both raised and lowered the cutting height, and then raised both wings. I re-plumbed it to work with three remotes, one for cutting height, and one for lifting each wing. That way I can lift just one wing to get around stuff. All it took were a few fittings and two hoses - maybe $200 in parts and a couple hours with a wrench.

 

[big bubba]

OP: you done good, i also demand heavy duty equip. i'm on hilly rough ground, & love the 3ph 8' Rhino twin ($5.6k yrs ago)
you done the homework