Medium duty 5 ft bush hog?

[paulsharvey]

So, for years and years, ive made due with a Ford 917L 54" flail mower, that I have always kind of hated, or maybe just never liked? Last year, I got a 7 ft APP/chisel, and the guy threw in a rusted pile that is allegedly a 48" New Holland bush hog. So, its been in his swamp for a decade and in my woods for a year, but I "rigged" it up last weekend, and despite having 40% of a deck, only 1 side, a broke 3 point frame, and a structural ratchet straps, oh, and no tail wheel, or frankly back end of the "hog" it runs very smooth, cuts good, and is quite. Which is odd, any ive used in the past vibrated a ton, were very noisy, ect.

So, I dont need/want a "heavy duty", but an actual medium duty, 60 inch, that is also well balanced, smooth, and quite. I think this one might be beyond rebuilding. So, which models would you call medium duty, that are also smooth and well balanced? And if coarse affordable, if not "cheap". New or not, im more asking models, and then I'll figure out the shopping.

 

[RayIN]

Check out King Kutter, and this thread: Rotary Cutter - New Lowery Manufacturing (LMC) Rotary Cutter

FWIW, I once bought a very similar rotary mower. I totally replaced the deck with 1/8" sheet steel. The entire frame, including tail wheel was in good shape.
If I counted my time, transportation costs of driving around looking for stuff, welding rods, Buying and having the sheet steel cut to size and bent on their press brake, wear on hand electric tools, etc., I probably had more money in that rebuild than a new one cost. Oh, I left out the skinned knuckles and banged up knees.
I think scrap steel is now $160/ton.

 

[paulsharvey]

When I hooked this up, I really expected to immediately turn it off, and throw it away. Only reason I was/am considering doing any repairs is, it actually cuts well, and is smooth for a bush hog (maybe others ive used through the years where worse than most on vibration?).

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I have a Bush Hog BH115, I like it!

It is long though ... And weighs 518.4 Lbs on my scale.

It does have some "lift" on the blades ...

It's rated at 1" but I've cut more ...

Now that I've "tamed" the back pasture ... It cuts grass good, but leaves the typical windrow ...

Shorter looks better!

 

[Travis_R]

How much are you wanting to spend on a new rotary cutter?
For a good, 5 foot medium duty cutter, you will not go wrong with the Bush Hog BH215. It’s not cheap, but it’s tough and you will not tear it up. Ive had a lot of Bush Hog brand cutters over the years. They are the best in the business.

 

[yanmars]

I did not care for my King Kutter, my Bush Hog brand and an old Massey Ferguson as I recall were better.

 

[paulsharvey]

How much are you wanting to spend on a new rotary cutter?
For a good, 5 foot medium duty cutter, you will not go wrong with the Bush Hog BH215. It’s not cheap, but it’s tough and you will not tear it up. Ive had a lot of Bush Hog brand cutters over the years. They are the best in the business.

Same as everyone else, as little as possible. I am leaning 75% towards the right used one. Used market was a fair number of nearly new, priced at almost new, and then an other segment of cheap, and really Rough. Seem some pretty decent looking ones in the $600-1000 range. But im not entirely against the right deal new, sub $2k

 

[paulsharvey]

What i want to avoid is spending $1899, on new, but crap. At the same time, I dont need, and dont want to spend the money, on legit Heavy duty.


I kinda have a hard time paying new medium duty prices, when you can get a good condition Brown Tree Cutter for $1000: but I dont have the tractor to run one.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Ive had a lot of Bush Hog brand cutters over the years. They are the best in the business.

You've had better luck with Bush Hog brand cutters than I have, for me, they have NOT been the best in the business!

I have three Woods cutters right now, and they have been the best cutters I've ever owned. I also like the way the blades attach too, they are much easier than the other brands to put on or take off.

I don't think the OP has any idea what a "medium duty" rotary cutter is, as his budget is way too low for an actual "medium duty" and most of the models being suggested, sure aren't medium duty!

SR

 

[paulsharvey]

Well, on medium duty; I define it as heavier/better built than the typical light duty; but still below heavy duty or commercial. Honestly, all of the equipment makers also really like to throw the name "heavy duty" around, even for the lowest of the low end.

Also, even the expensive, big names, make some models that are pretty light duty.

So, im thinking the BH215, I think is the model, is what im calling "medium", and a BH 115 would be light duty. So, maybe a better way of asking, what are other models in a similar "weight class" from other makers, like Woods, Landpride, JBar, ect.