Lane Shark vs Skid Steer Brush Mower

[2manyrocks]

My MTL is the 3 blade as well with the carbide teeth, they leave a nice finish when you back drag over larger cut brush. View attachment 849172

I really like your MTL cutter. That cutterhead makes a lot of sense.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I really like your MTL cutter. That cutterhead makes a lot of sense.

It has been really good for me and I put it places that make me cringe sometimes, but that is what it is designed to do, I have been cleaning up around an old slaughter house last week and today and I can't tell you how many concrete blocks and steel and re-bar that i found, but it hasn't missed a beat, this is one of those places that no one would put a mulcher as it would definately ruin some teeth.

 

[deere5105]

That’s a pretty good motto!

Couple more questions:
1) is your machine standard or high flow?

2) if primarily mowing brush, bushes, limbs, etc….not grass….. is the dust created as bad as or worse than a rotary cutter behind a tractor?

 

[Lineman North Florida]

That’s a pretty good motto!

Couple more questions:
1) is your machine standard or high flow?

2) if primarily mowing brush, bushes, limbs, etc….not grass….. is the dust created as bad as our worse than a rotary cutter behind a tractor?

1. Yes it is hi-flow, but the cutter still does a pretty good job in low flow, but when you get in bigger or thicker brush the hi-flow is a better performer.
2. IMO yes because on a tractor you are mowing where you have been and going away from it, with the skid steer you are mowing where you are going and driving into it, I don't know that it's actually any worse, but you definately get more of it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use an offset flail mower. Set vertically, I can cut limbs 8' off the ground:

Set horizontally, it has a 6' offset to cut down to ground level. Works as a ditch mower as well:

Pricier than the Lane Shark and won't cut as high, but it's enough for the cab to clear.

It's PTO driven and requires 2 rear remotes for the hyd. cylinders.

 

[deere5105]

1. Yes it is hi-flow, but the cutter still does a pretty good job in low flow, but when you get in bigger or thicker brush the hi-flow is a better performer.
2. IMO yes because on a tractor you are mowing where you have been and going away from it, with the skid steer you are mowing where you are going and driving into it, I don't know that it's actually any worse, but you definately get more of it.

Your response to #2 has got me thinking. The dust generated right in front of you with the skid steer may be quite a bit. With this not being intended to be a “for hire” situation it may very well be a better option to just rent a cabbed skid steer every few years or give the Lane Shark a try.

 

[two_bit_score]

Your response to #2 has got me thinking. The dust generated right in front of you with the skid steer may be quite a bit. With this not being intended to be a “for hire” situation it may very well be a better option to just rent a cabbed skid steer every few years or give the Lane Shark a try.

Almost a year ago I checked into renting a CTL with brushcutter from Caterpillar. It was going to cst about $4,500 for a month. That was delivered and picked up with insurance so I would not be out anything no matter what happened to it while I had it. So by now that same rental might be $5-5,500 for a month.

What cost numbers have you gotten from rental sources for a CTL/Skid Steer with a brushcutter? Im very interested in what cost numbers you or anyone else has on this.

The lane shark wil be much cheaper but you cannot do as much wth it either. Not that you necessairly need to but if you wanted to you would be limited.

 

[deere5105]

Almost a year ago I checked into renting a CTL with brushcutter from Caterpillar. It was going to cst about $4,500 for a month. That was delivered and picked up with insurance so I would not be out anything no matter what happened to it while I had it. So by now that same rental might be $5-5,500 for a month.

What cost numbers have you gotten from rental sources for a CTL/Skid Steer with a brushcutter? Im very interested in what cost numbers you or anyone else has on this.

The lane shark wil be much cheaper but you cannot do as much wth it either. Not that you necessairly need to but if you wanted to you would be limited.

I spoke with the local Bobcat dealer and the representative on the phone discouraged trying to run a cutter on an open cab skid steer. Indicated it shouldn't work because of a safety switch on a front door not being detected and should prevent the hydraulics from working. Said the door was around $3K.

They rent a Bobcat T76 for $1370 a week and a 77" Vail brush cutter for $840 per week. Unlimited hours. Includes insurance. Not transporting. Haul it yourself. Found a website for Vail with several videos of their cutter in operation. Gives more credence to the value of the cab for this operation. I suspect there may be other rental locations around. I have seen a few here and there.

 

[two_bit_score]

I spoke with the local Bobcat dealer and the representative on the phone discouraged trying to run a cutter on an open cab skid steer.

Thanks for the rate info on the Bobcat. That is even higher that i expected especially since it dowsn't include transportation.

And the Cat rental I was quoted was with the forestry package which includes the safety door. I doubt any rental place will rent one without it IF they rent a brushcutter on it at all.

The Kubota dealer I talked to said they had stopped renting their CTL's with brushcutters because of liability fears. I think they are a little paranoid but I guess that had some negative experiences. The closest they would do is a tractor with a bush hog.

 

[Smokeydog]

Tree encroachment on our mostly wooded hillside farm has always been an issue. Used to be a lot hand work and labor intensive. Don’t know of a single tool that can do it all.

FEL hydraulic limb saw and Brown tree cutter now are my favorites for maintaining miles of fence lines, woods, and roads. Grapples too to handle the brush and trees once cut. Fabricated the the limb saw, $500 and used Brown cutter $1,200 so not too expensive.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

You got a steal on that Brown tree cutter, and they are a tough piece of equipment.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think a lot of farms used to stay cleared of trees because they used firewood to stay warm. My mom said her dad's farmhouse was drafty in the winter despite having several wood fireplaces that were used to heat the house.

 

[Smokeydog]

You got a steal on that Brown tree cutter, and they are a tough piece of equipment.

Definitely yes!

It needed some love to get it going again. 5’ model and I’m at the lower side of HP requirement with a 59hp tractor. Cuts and chips up limbs and trees much better than a rotary cutter.

Only have limited experience with skidsteers and none with CTL. Prefer a tractor.

 

[dreamcatcvherdb]

I clear trail edges using a side flail. I have found that drum flail mowers are much more versatile than rotary brush cutters and overall much easier on the tractor. I like that I only need to drive along the trail to mow the edge, as opposed to having to angle into the edge of the trail with a front or rear rotary cutter. This is not only faster, but doesn't tear up the trail. This flail mower is 7-foot long and combined with the lift arm allows me to stand the mower up vertically to cut back tree overhangs as high as 9-foot. Of course, combined with the rear offset flail, I can quickly mow the trail and edge simultaneously.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I clear trail edges using a side flail. I have found that drum flail mowers are much more versatile than rotary brush cutters and overall much easier on the tractor. I like that I only need to drive along the trail to mow the edge, as opposed to having to angle into the edge of the trail with a front or rear rotary cutter. This is not only faster, but doesn't tear up the trail. This flail mower is 7-foot long and combined with the lift arm allows me to stand the mower up vertically to cut back tree overhangs as high as 9-foot. Of course, combined with the rear offset flail, I can quickly mow the trail and edge simultaneously.
View attachment 850473

I would like to see some more pictures of that rig, particularly the one on the side of the tractor to see how you fabbed it up, looks like it would be very efficient for trail mowing, pond edges,etc.

 

[RobertDuPuis]

The task is trail/road overhang maintenance and edge of yard/field maintenance. Not really interested in major land/tree clearing.

Equipment available is open station JD 5303 4WD with 522 FEL, one rear remote, currently no third function or Bobcat S250 rubber tire skid steer, open cab, standard flow.

Considering adding third function and Lane Shark to the JD or a lexan front door and brush mower to the skid steer. Cost appears to be about the same. Like everyone else we get side creep of limbs into fields, food plots and roads. The skid steer has a Bobcat open bottom type grapple with double clamping arms. For years have used the grapple to push back or dig up the encroaching limbs and bushes. The maneuverability and hydrostatic drive of the skid steer is ideal for this type of work.

Looking for opinions, feed back or experiences comparing the two. Gut feeling is the skid steer mower with a 3-4” cut capacity more likely to hold up better long term and be more flexible in uses and get more work done than the 2-3” capacity of the Lane Shark.

Anyone made this comparison or have any experiences operating similar setups in these type situations?

Wow all I can say at my age I am purchasing Lane Shark 3' unit to do my hay fields tree limbs, prickers, vines and trails over 6 miles on my property. One of the distributors who wasn't a dealer last year is now because of me and he is getting one for his farm use and to have a display and show use. I had a small problem with lane Shark but the dealer had no issues with getting me the unit for my tractor Lane Shark think my tractor its to small but newer models they put it on are even smaller than mine lol. My most used tractor because it is hydrostatic transmission makes brush hogging, loading hay, loading manure, firewood, logs, rototilling, and many other small jobs so simple. Use my standards for heavy work over 1,000 pounds and need need more then 20pto power. If your near Massachusetts call or stop by Devon Lane Farm Supply in Belchertown 413-323-6336 the family has two companies the other is power equipment they don't carry the Lane Shark so make sure you pick Farm Supply.

 

[jmc]

I can’t vouch for the truthfulness behind this but I’ve read that the solenoid operated 3rd function kits aren’t rated for continuous use.

The manual for my WR Long remote kit warns that it's for intermittent use only. Shoulda been in their advertisement, IMO, not buried in their manual. (Good product and company to work with, otherwise)

 

[deere5105]

As an update……wound up purchasing Lane Shark LS4 and W R Long C-Flow 3rd function kit. Yesterday first time trying it out. So far seems to be a handy tool.

 

[jmc]

Looking forward to a full report!