Finish vs rotary cutterers

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I got my first mowing in my larger pasture done yesterday and due to a flat on my 7ft finish mower I had to use my 5ft rotary cutter. My cutter does have lifting blades to help with quality of cut but I was really surprised at the result. Set down to 2-3", you really can't tell much of a difference between the 2 other than how the clippings are. The rotary cutter leaves a row off 2 one side where as my finish mower is rear discharge and leaves a good spread and the clippings are finer.

For those debating a finish mower or rotary cutter, if money matters I would look at a rotary cutter with the swooping lift blades. Mine isn't rated to cut big saplings or anything massive but the compromise is a pretty clean cut and I didn't even sharpen the blades. My only gripe is the diving into the dirt from the edges on some rutted areas but my finish mower does a similar thing with the front roller

I can't compare ground speeds between the 2 because the only pasture I have finish mowed I can only go so fast because of bumps and turns but I ran my rotary cutter around 5 mph. I'm sure comfort is my limit not the cutting tool with speed