Rotary Cutter Cheap rotary cutter?

[glgdiggs]

I have 9 acres to mow, maybe 5 times a year. I've mowed it once with my YM1500d & a 42" Howes, never again. I recently purchased a Landtrac 360 TLB, 33 PTO HP, 3600lbs with the loader and have started looking at 6' rotary cutters. I will be mowing on level ground mostly weeds and grass ( eventually grass and weeds, then maybe grass ). The price range varies by a $1000.00, Kodiak at Agri Supply at $750, King Kutter at TSC $795, Rino $795, Bush Hog SQ72 $995 to $1295, Woods $1699 to $1850. If your not brush hoging and only mowing 30-40 hours a year does it make a difference?

 

[have_blue]

I've owned 2 Woods brush hogs, and both have been very good so far. I have no reservations in recommending them.

I currently have the BB72, which is a "standard duty". It weighs 700 Lbs, which is pretty hefty compared to other standard duty 6 footers I have ran across. I paid $940 for it 1-1/2 years ago.

I mow ~6 acres of my 10 acre plot. Moving up from 29hp and 5' cutter to 35hp and 6' cutter made a huge difference for me. I think you could expect an even better improvement in your situation.

With my 29hp NH Boomer and 5' Woods cutter, it used to take me ~7 hours. With my 35hp Boomer and 6' Woods, it takes ~4 hours. I think I could easily get that down to 3 hours, but it's not worth taking the pounding and high "G's". Yes, a good tractor seat would be a great productivity tool. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Dargo]

I've used both the "el-cheapo's" and the high end Woods models. Unless you are hitting hidden objects, cutting fairly large saplings, or dragging the cutter over things it may get caught on, I'd just go with the cheapo one. I have one of each right now and almost always use the cheapo one. The only things I did to my cheapo (started life as a Wallace) model was to add a slip clutch in the PTO line, and I used 40' of 3/8" wall 2" square tubing and built a cage of sorts around the mower. I still have much less than a grand in it and I'll use it as a battering ram. I only watch out for things that may hurt my tractor. Other than that, if I can run over it, the cheapo rotary cutter has done it's job.

Even though the Woods came stronger to begin with, it isn't 1/10th as strong as the beefed up cheapo model I use. Also, with a fairly loose slip clutch, I've never had any gear box problems. Even with the shear bolts that the cheap ones come with, I don't think you'd have trouble as long as you stay with the grade 2 bolts. I just don't like to change them constantly. As a matter of fact, I have a neighbor who is likely going to buy my heavy duty Woods cutter for his mowing business.

The only problem you will have with the cheap rotary cutter is that you'll bend the deck up rather easily if you don't reinforce it. If you can reinforce it, or live with bending it back into shape ever so often, then you're set. If I were going to have to use it 40 hours a week plus and my income depended on it, I'd probably stay with the Woods, but otherwise I'm not missing it. Good luck!

 

[BB_TX]

I have been using a Howse 6' light duty for 5+ yrs. I mow about 3 acres twice a month and another 7-8 acres about 3 times a year. Mostly grass mowing but I have also cut a lot of brush as I have cleared along my creek. I also frequently run over deadfall from the many trees (used to stop and move it, now just run over it unless it is too large). Never had a problem with it and it still works great. Paid $500 for it. Don't see how a $1200-1500 one would have done me any better.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd look for a howse.. probably a few bucks cheaper than a TSC KK unit.

That said... I'd pretty much buy the cheapest one I could find.

You aren't doing comercial mowing.

For what it's worth.. I used a 5' KK ( way to long ) to cut a 10ac pasture about once a month for a few years... took me about 5-6 hours each time. That KK is still 'brand new'.

I own and use a 10' howse HD-line mower as well, and my stepfather has a 6' light duty howse mower. He pulls it behind a 50hp JD and beats the heck out of it.. but it still mows... deck is eat and beat up.. but -0- gearbox and blade/carrier/driveline / aframe trouble.

Soundguy

 

[DK35vince]

I run a 6' King Kutter brush mower ( I did add a slip clutch, around $95).
Works good. You do not need an expensive/heavy duty cutter what you want to do.

 

[frank_f15]

If your only cutting grass and weeds go with the less expensive units, or if it makes you feel better i would go with the in between models

 

[LMTC]

Kodiak offers a good value for the money....I would choose it over KK.

 

[TxTom]

Dargo, I'd love to see a picture of what you've done to the Wallace mower. I've got one that I'm trying to beef up.

Thomas

 

[GAFarmer2]

I agree, with what you are doing go with the cheapest one possible!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif