Kodiak Mower opinions?

[houser52]

I already have a 6' bush hog that was bought last year but clipping 40-60 acres of pasture twice a year, 6' at a time takes way too long.

I've been reviewing the Kodiak 8' - 10' lift type rotary cutters and have found most reviews to be positive. I looked at them last year at Agri Supply and they looked very heavy duty but have never used one.
The only problem is that about all of the reviews are old. I'd like to hear from anyone who has a more recent opinion of Kodiak cutters.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

6' to 8' isn't a real big jump if you are talking 40-60 acres. Is there a reason you are not considering a batwing?

 

[countrybumpkin]

I went from a 6’ to a twin spindle 8’ , while it did make a difference, I would be looking at a 12’ batwing for that size area.

 

[houser52]

A few reasons I'm not interested in a 12' batwing.

1. The cost is considerably more. The 10' costs almost half as much as a batwing

2. I'm 65 and just need a cutter that'll last my lifetime

3. Not a lot of cutting time difference between a 10' and 12' but a big difference of both compared to the 6'

I ran the time differences between the 6', 10' and 12' mowers from an online calculator.

60 acres- 6' @ 5 mph = 18hr 20min
60 acres- 10' @ 4.5 mph = 12hr 13 min
60 acres- 12' @ 4.5 mph = 10hr 11min

 

[ericm979]

I have a 5' Kodiak standard duty. They use a sturdy tail wheel support- thick tubular steel instead of easily bent strap. That's good as I back into brush. And the pivot design lets it pivot a good ways when you drive through a dip or back up to a slope. I've accidentally pulled up some good sized rocks and other than a lot of banging and a small dent in the skirt from the inside it's been fine.

 

[houser52]

Thanks for the report eric. I'm going through Florence, SC next week and may stop at agri supply to have a look at them again.

Anyone else use an 8'- 10' Kodiak?

 

[ericm979]

If you buy one with a slip clutch check the adjustment. I assumed it was correct and only looked at it when I did the first annual maintenance. It was adjusted too tight. Probably came that way from the gearbox factory.

 

[leonz]

are you looking for new or used?

Have you looked at new or used 10 foot scoop knife flail crop shredders or a used JD390 flail mower with an 8 foot cut?
A scoop knife flail crop shredder will be more than adequate for what you want to do and it will be a safer mower.

There a a lot of good flail mowers on tractor house and other web sites.
With what you want to do you may want to contact Vrisimo in California directly to see if they have any used
rebuilt 10 foot crop shredders for sale and ask for more information about flail crop shredders.

A flail mower or flail crop shredder with side slicer knives will have almost 4-6 times the cutting edge length of a rotary cutters
single edge just on one side of the side slicer knife so if you were to invest in a flail crop shredder with side slicer knives
you would have almost 48 foot of cutting edge to use when mowing on one side of the side slicer knife which has 2 edges to use.

A 12 foot wide cut scoop knife crop shredder will have almost 12 foot of cutting edge to use with fewer knives that are cast heat treated
hardened knives with replaceable edges in some brands.

 

[Liquidsilver]

I was in the same situation as the OP. I bought the 10-foot Titan pull-type. It's not as nimble as a 6-foot lift type, but sure cuts down on the mowing time. I'm finding it to be very well made and great performance. The price was the best thing I could find in its class.

 

[houser52]

are you looking for new or used?

Have you looked at new or used 10 foot scoop knife flail crop shredders or a used JD390 flail mower with an 8 foot cut?
A scoop knife flail crop shredder will be more than adequate for what you want to do and it will be a safer mower.

There a a lot of good flail mowers on tractor house and other web sites.
With what you want to do you may want to contact Vrisimo in California directly to see if they have any used
rebuilt 10 foot crop shredders for sale and ask for more information about flail crop shredders.

A flail mower or flail crop shredder with side slicer knives will have almost 4-6 times the cutting edge length of a rotary cutters
single edge just on one side of the side slicer knife so if you were to invest in a flail crop shredder with side slicer knives
you would have almost 48 foot of cutting edge to use when mowing on one side of the side slicer knife which has 2 edges to use.

A 12 foot wide cut scoop knife crop shredder will have almost 12 foot of cutting edge to use with fewer knives that are cast heat treated
hardened knives with replaceable edges in some brands.

Thanks for the suggestion and I already have a 6' Caroni flail but I'll be going with a rotary cutter.

I like the Caroni for what I use it for but I feel an 8' or 10' rotary will suit me better for mowing pastures, use less fuel and be a lot faster.

Update- I stopped by AgriSupply this afternoon and looked at the HD 10' Kodiak twin spindle mower. That thing was truly heavy duty. I stood on the deck and it was like stepping on a concrete floor, solid as a rock with no give or flex at all. No stitch welding anywhere, complete welds throughout the mower, laminated tires, slip clutch, replaceable skid plates, stump jumpers, good looking paint, everything looked heavy duty.
The only thing that I was unsure about was how to get it home if I bought one. I expect shipping would be several hundred dollars and I'm not sure if it would hang over too far, turned sideways, on my 6 1/2' wide equipment trailer if I hauled it myself.

 

[tmcj]

A little info with Kodiak - When I was looking to buy a cutter for my Mahindra, I discovered that the "Mahindra" cutter is made by Kodiak. Digging a little deeper, I found that the Kodiak company split up and Titan Implements was born. Just the opinion of a local dealer but Titan took the best of the Kodiak team when they started up. This local farm equipment dealer went with Titan after having issues with Kodiak from sales to service and highly recommended Titan over Kodiak. This dealer is within 30 minutes of me and I would have to have the Kodiak shipped or travel quite a ways to pick one up, so I went with Titan. The Titan cutters are very similar but have some obvious differences also. I bought the 5' standard duty shear bolt Titan and it has worked great, cutting mostly high weeds and light brush. No regrets whatsoever. I can't personally say anything about Kodiak, but my Titan has been excellent so far.

My advice to anyone - don't buy a Mahindra which is a Kodiak with a much higher price for a Mahindra sticker on it. Check out Titan Implements availability in your area before going with Kodiak. Don't confuse Titan Attachments (Chinese imports) with Titan Implements (USA).

 

[Texasmark]

I have a 6' Kodiac Medium Duty...has the 90 hp gearbox which was a must. Well constructed and no problems for the 13 years I've had it. I bought the front chains to protect my tires. Worth the cost.

 

[houser52]

Thanks for the Kodiak info guys.

A Titan dealer is about 2-3 hours from me but I haven't contacted them to see if they have a 10' cutter in stock or the price. The closest AgriSupply is about the same distance. The main difference would be actually looking at a Titan before buying one. Looking at them online, they look to be made pretty close the same.

 

[big bubba]

Since Kodiak is heavy duty, check out their specs to see if your M7060 can handle the 3ph weight. esp if you're on a slope. your pto hp should handle.
my Rhino turbo 8' twin spindle is right at 2k lbs. good match for my M8540. Personally, light footed as Kubota is anyway, you might have to ballast ft end with a 10' lift type hog.

i agree with consensus. with your acreage (& life stage i'd sure take a serious look @ the 12' bat wing. more suitable for your acreage & rig. but see if you have the remotes to handle BW in advance

when you make that 1st cut w/the 12' BW you'll know you made the right decision
tough decisions, been there myself best regards

 

[Bigpuddie]

Since Kodiak is heavy duty, check out their specs to see if your M7060 can handle the 3ph weight. esp if you're on a slope. your pto hp should handle.
my Rhino turbo 8' twin spindle is right at 2k lbs. good match for my M8540. Personally, light footed as Kubota is anyway, you might have to ballast ft end with a 10' lift type hog.

i agree with consensus. with your acreage (& life stage i'd sure take a serious look @ the 12' bat wing. more suitable for your acreage & rig. but see if you have the remotes to handle BW in advance

when you make that 1st cut w/the 12' BW you'll know you made the right decision
tough decisions, been there myself best regards

Bubba, I am looking at a lightly used Rhino Turbo 96 pull type. How do you like your Rhino?

 

[big bubba]

Bubba, I am looking at a lightly used Rhino Turbo 96 pull type. How do you like your Rhino?

bought the Rhino turbo 96 about 10 yrs ago. @ that time Rhino sold out to Alamo but it was still the same robust build associated w/Rhino through the years. Think Rhino's predecessor was Servis.
anyway, it's everything i was looking for. I have the 3ph lift model, but it looks the frame can accommodate the pull version as well, your choice when you order. my terrain is rough (though finally removed about all rocks) so i give it 5 star review. feel free to ask any further questions.
i paid 5.6 K @ the time new
check the gear boxes oil level should you get one, they always ship low. i use 85/140 hypoid gear oil
best regards

 

[Bigpuddie]

Thanks. The one I'm looking at is a 2014. Looks brand new. $4200 pulltype. Seems like a fair deal.

 

[big bubba]

machine sounds good. think you could negotiate that price.... $3500 would be my limit,
(unless current prices have escalated given the current infinite wisdom of steel tariffs)
anyway best of luck. very solid machine, all i'll ever need

 

[houser52]

Since Kodiak is heavy duty, check out their specs to see if your M7060 can handle the 3ph weight. esp if you're on a slope. your pto hp should handle.
my Rhino turbo 8' twin spindle is right at 2k lbs. good match for my M8540. Personally, light footed as Kubota is anyway, you might have to ballast ft end with a 10' lift type hog.

i agree with consensus. with your acreage (& life stage i'd sure take a serious look @ the 12' bat wing. more suitable for your acreage & rig. but see if you have the remotes to handle BW in advance

when you make that 1st cut w/the 12' BW you'll know you made the right decision
tough decisions, been there myself best regards

My tractor should be able to handle the 10' Kodiak, 1500 pound lift type mower without any problem. The bare tractor weighs 5000 pounds plus loaded rear tires plus front end loader and if I need extra weight on the front I can attach the bucket which is another few hundred pounds. The lift capacity is about 3300 pounds.

 

[big bubba]

My tractor should be able to handle the 10' Kodiak, 1500 pound lift type mower without any problem. The bare tractor weighs 5000 pounds plus loaded rear tires plus front end loader and if I need extra weight on the front I can attach the bucket which is another few hundred pounds. The lift capacity is about 3300 pounds.

yes, agree your 7060 will handle that weight. hopefully you have your rear tires loaded for stability & safety. @ 1500# i would consider the 10' lift mower as mid weight construction, not heavy duty. maybe a better match than something heavier. hopefully the price reflects that as well. best of luck