Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Has anyone heard of using chains on a rotary cutter in place of blades?
Pros? Cons?
Pros? Cons?
Rotary Cutter Chains? On a Rotary Cutter
- Thread starter Iplayfarmer
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Glenn9643
Veteran Member
I have chains on my Bushhog 286. Across the front and back hanging down about six inches, one inch or so apart. They do a great job of slowing down those thrown objects! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
I've heard of people doing such, but better judgement prevents me from attemting it. Something about using the O.E.M. blades just makes better sense to me.
JerryG
Super Member
I have heard it mentioned a couple of times, but don't know anyone that has used chains. I would be afraid to use them because when a link wore to the point that the chain broke it would be a missile coming out.
midlf
Platinum Member
I don't think chains would work too well. The swinging blades on my 48" Befco cutter are thick and heavy. I have to believe the inertia from that rotating weight is a good part of the cutting power. Chains would not have that advantage. Note that no one I am aware of sells such a chain cutter implement. I've gotta believe there is a reason.
Pro's -- probably cheap if you have some old ratty chain sitting around
Con's -- When it breaks off and sends link or two out and injures someone, you are so boned-- beyond belief boned. No way can that action pass the "prudent man" test. It goes beyond negligent into the realm of criminal. Oh , the other con is that it probably won't cut nearly as good as the correct blade.
jb
Con's -- When it breaks off and sends link or two out and injures someone, you are so boned-- beyond belief boned. No way can that action pass the "prudent man" test. It goes beyond negligent into the realm of criminal. Oh , the other con is that it probably won't cut nearly as good as the correct blade.
jb
Highbeam
Super Member
How about a couple nice chunks of half inch cable, maybe stainless steel for extra hardness? I have heard the reasoning for the chains is that in rocky conditions they deflect better around the obstacle. Going for a weed wacker effect rather than a mower effect.
Truth is the thick OEM blades are cheap and won't likely shoot out the unshielded front or rear of the hog.
Truth is the thick OEM blades are cheap and won't likely shoot out the unshielded front or rear of the hog.
HomeBrew2
Banned
" ... rocky conditions they deflect better around the obstacle"
That's my recallection too. And, something in the back of my alledged mind reminds me that they are/have been more popular in Austraila (?)
That's my recallection too. And, something in the back of my alledged mind reminds me that they are/have been more popular in Austraila (?)
SkogenMe
Silver Member
There don't seem to be alot around, but I did see this on a link that 1948Berg had posted on another post....It is a mechanically or hydraulically driven two chain rough cut brush hog. It says they have made several hundred since 1985.....course the lawyer ratio is alittle different in Scandinavia than here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
but they are fairly safety conscious so I could believe they haven't had major problems..
chain bush hog
It says it will cut trees up to 10cm and has optional knives for pasture work.
good luck
but they are fairly safety conscious so I could believe they haven't had major problems..
chain bush hog
It says it will cut trees up to 10cm and has optional knives for pasture work.
good luck
Highbeam
Super Member
Holy smokes. It looks like they gear it up to spin even faster before hitting the 90 degree gear box. I bet it's like a weedwacker in that you want to hit the just right so that the machine flings stuff away from you.
JerryG
Super Member
I would like to hear from someone that uses one of those. Maybe they wear out one link at a time and don’t throw the whole chain. If they do, the remainder of a worn out link would be less dangerous than a fist sized rock.
Joe1
Platinum Member
You can bet if they were going to work better than chains, they would be original equipment. They might tend to wrap around rocks, grab them and throw them more than a solid blade that will pivot back.
HillbillyFarmer
Silver Member
Looks like something I could tear up real fast on my hillsides. Why would anyone consider anything but blades? Haven't seen a decent argument for chains yet.
SkogenMe
Silver Member
Forgot to mention....if you didn't find them there are two short videos that start with "klikk her..."..the first of forest clearing and the second of road/Right of way clearing.
I think I'll probably stick to thinking about putting on some guards on my woods rotary while I dream of an offset or boom mounted flail mower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I think I'll probably stick to thinking about putting on some guards on my woods rotary while I dream of an offset or boom mounted flail mower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
