Rotary Cutter Buying New Rotary Cutter

[LD1]

I've read through this thread and am hoping that you will provide me some advice. I've ordered a John Deere 3046R compact tractor and one of the attachments I plan on ordering is a rotary cutter. The two the dealer can offer directly are the John Deere MX5 or possibly the Frontier RC2060.

I've seen many other models talked about so I'd like some suggestions. Initial use will be moderate but want at least a medium duty as there will be more than just grass and weeds, I'm figuring a potential for saplings up to 1 1/2 to 2".

What about sheer pin versus slip clutch (something I first read here). Any information and suggestions would be appreciated.

All things being equal I'd buy from this dealer as they've been very good to me over the years. That said, it certainly appears that all things are not equal.

Thanks in advance.


Jim

The RC2060 is a light duty cutter only rated for 1" saplings. SO you need not look at that based on your description.

Not sure what kind of mowing you want to do, or where, but you have enough power to pull a 6' cutter. But the heavier 6' cutters like the MX6 will likely require you to leave the loader on or add front weights. So if you are doing open fields, I'd want a 6. If you are blazing trails through a woods, or a lot of small tight areas, then and only then would I consider a 5' cutter.

The MX5 is a good medium duty cutter. Not sure what the prices are at your dealer.

Some others to consider are

Woods BB60x and BB600x The 60 is a tad lighter duty than the MX5 rated for 1.5" and the 600 is a bit heavier at 3" The 6' versions would be BB72x and BB720x

Landpride rcr2060/rcr2072 rated the same as the mx5, or the rcr2660/2672 rated for 3"

Bushhog BH15 or BH16 rated for 2" or BH25 and BH26 rated for 3"

 

[Travis_R]

I've read through this thread and am hoping that you will provide me some advice. I've ordered a John Deere 3046R compact tractor and one of the attachments I plan on ordering is a rotary cutter. The two the dealer can offer directly are the John Deere MX5 or possibly the Frontier RC2060.

I've seen many other models talked about so I'd like some suggestions. Initial use will be moderate but want at least a medium duty as there will be more than just grass and weeds, I'm figuring a potential for saplings up to 1 1/2 to 2".

What about sheer pin versus slip clutch (something I first read here). Any information and suggestions would be appreciated.

All things being equal I'd buy from this dealer as they've been very good to me over the years. That said, it certainly appears that all things are not equal.

Thanks in advance.


Jim

Bush Hog, Woods, and Land Pride are all good choices. Cutting only grass a shear pin would be fine on a 5'. If cutting a lot of brush/saplings definitely go with slip clutch. I will NEVER buy another 6' cutter with shear pin driveline. Constantly broke the bolts! I'd only consider shear pin models on 5' cutters and below. And that's without cutting a lot of brush. Always read the MX series are good cutters. Assuming your tractor is between 45-50 hp I'd go with a 6' and slip clutch. Slip clutch will have more maintenance but it's worth it. Even though u like your dealer you still may wanna shop around to find a better deal. The heavier the tougher the work the heavier the hog u will need. Have to ask yourself if you'll always be cutting 2" brush or is it short term. Good luck!

 

[RPW]

I've got the 6ft Mowhawk (JD purchase) with shear pin. For a few years I had a lot of issues with breaking shear pins and was about to pull the plug and get a slip clutch (still might) but this year I finally figured out how to deal with saplings and rocks. Run the mower at rated speed regardless of type of cutting. Before I was only running the mower at about 1800 rpm. Liked the less noise it made cutting and the tractor was quieter but I was going though a lot of pins. This year I've been running at rated PTO speed and only broke one pin and that was when I hit a LARGE tree stump I didn't see as it was hidden in tall grass. What I found was as most people know is you build up kinetic energy the faster the blade moves so when it hits a sapling or rock or whatever there's more energy that can be released to cut the obsticle. Fortunately mine is a rear discharge so any rocks that are shattered fly out the rear.

 

[ovrszd]

I've got a Rhino SE6 (6ft) cutter with shear bolt. I bought it 5 or 6 years ago used. I've sheared one bolt. I use it to cut trails in timber. Maybe I've just been lucky?? If so, I probably just jinxed myself. :confused3: