Rotary Cutter Bush Hog Squealer - Worth it?

nelsond7004 · Sep 30, 2011

Hi All,

Between now and the start of next mowing season I am going to be in the market for a new rotary cutter. I have been searching over the summer at various manufacturers. I have compared a lot of rotary cutters that will fit my needs. I run a Mahindra 2816 Gear tractor and I have been using my friends old 5' 80s' model Bush Hog Squealer. The Mahindra handles it very well. The Bush Hog looks like it has been through WW III and I am amazed at how it has stood up over time.

I am sure like most things, not everything is made the way it used to be. So my question is, is it worth paying $1295 (quoted) for a light to medium duty rotary cutter such as the Squealer SQ160 when I can purchase what I think could be equal for less? I just question how well the others will hold up.

Frankly, I have ruled out King Kutter, Tarter, and Howse due to the welds and deck thickness. Here lately I have been very impressed at the Kodiak line. My local dealer quoted me a standard duty Kodiak for $725. Both the Bush Hog Squealer and Kodiak have 11ga decks; better than King Kutter, Tarter, or Howse. I have yet to look at Woods. And I have heard good things about Land Pride, but no one sells them around my area.

I want a good standard duty to medium duty rotary cutter in a 5 footer that is around 600 pounds or less.

Any recommendations, thoughts, riddles, or jokes are welcome!

bucktaker · Sep 30, 2011

1995 i bought a 5 'king kutter for 500.00 dollars new
Never shedded or covered it is still working today. Only mowed weeds/grass and some rocks. surface rust with no holes gear box is good

So it depends on what you will be mowing and the cost between a ecomomy model and a higher cost heavy duty unit. For my purposes I think i got my money out of the KK

Recently bought a 6' international used that looks alot like my old KK

sweep · Sep 30, 2011

I have a 2006 Squealer 172 and love it. Never any problems and it is well built. Don't discount the KK and Tarter. I know people that have used them for years and they have held up well.
Take care of the equipment and it will last for years.

Some people just beat the sh*t out of equipment....so no brand is good for them.

bjr · Sep 30, 2011

I've the RZ60 Bushog, but, if I were to buy today it'd be a Kingkutter. I have 5 or 6 of the KK's rakes and back blades and found them to be the best bang for the buck. bjr

bullbreaker · Sep 30, 2011

nelsond7004 said:
My local dealer quoted me a standard duty Kodiak for $725. Both the Bush Hog Squealer and Kodiak have 11ga decks; better than King Kutter, Tarter, or Howse. I have yet to look at Woods. And I have heard good things about Land Pride, but no one sells them around my area.
I want a good standard duty to medium duty rotary cutter in a 5 footer that is around 600 pounds or less.
Any recommendations, thoughts, riddles, or jokes are welcome!

I have the SQ172 ,but if your local dealer qouted you $ 725 for a new 5'-er that is what I would buy for what you need it for.
That Kodiak probably has a 40 hp,generic,standard "Chinese" gearbox which is what most of them come with nowadays.
If you buy it check your gearbox oil and ask for your 3 pt pins(complete),and don't forget your pto shaft w/shields and chains.
Just MHO.

KODIAK MFG., Inc.

Boone

nelsond7004 · Sep 30, 2011

Thanks for all the responses. I am starting to to think the Bush Hog is more than I really need to spend. I am about 85% sure at this point I will go with a Kodiak standard or medium duty cutter; although I am not ruling out the Bush Hog or any other brands.

I have knocked down most of the saplings from 1-2" range with my friends squealer. Ideally I would like to have a medium duty cutter, but I have to be careful on weight. I have a lot of slopes that I have to back up and cut.

By chance has anyone had any experience with Kodiak MFG? One local dealer swears by them and another is starting to carry them.

TnWV · Sep 30, 2011

I have a 5' king kutter that my father purchased in the early to mid 90's. It has never been covered and looks ruff but still cuts great. I recently upgraded to an 8 footer and went with Kodiak. I couldn't handle the cost of bush hog, woods, etc for mostly cutting fields. I have been very impressed with quality of build and the cut quality of the Kodiak. These are the only cutters I've ever used so I don't have anything to compare to, but unless you are consistently cutting large heavy brush, I think I would save my money for an additional implement and get the Kodiak. Just my opinion as everyones needs and budget are different. Good luck with whichever you buy.

Verticaltrx · Sep 30, 2011

nelsond7004 said:
By chance has anyone had any experience with Kodiak MFG? One local dealer swears by them and another is starting to carry them.

I have a Kodiak 5' that I've been using commercially for the past 3 years. So far it has been holding up quite well for a light duty cutter. There are some dings in the sides and one small tear in the weld at the rear from something hefty being slung into it. I mow about 40-50ac of pasture a year with it as well as some light brush clearing and keeping woodland trails mowed. I try to not mow anything over about 2" capacity as I know it is a light duty unit. Quality wise they are definitely some of the best 'cheap' cutters out there. I got mine for about $550 back in '08 from Agri-Supply. Even at today's prices they are still a good value.