Mower Types

[Ortis]

What is the difference between a "finishing mower", a "rotary cutter", and a "bush hog"? Is bush hog a brand of rotary cutter, or is there more to it?

Is there "tractor implements for dummies" site to help us newbies get up to speed (at least 540 rpm)

 

[Gatorboy]

Rotary Cutter = Bush Hog


A rotary cutter typically has a slower blade speed and it made to cut brush, trees, etc. A finish mower is comparable to your typical lawn mower -- High blade speed with the task of cutting grass. A finish mower will give a much cleaner cut than a rotary cutter.

A rotary cutter can handle tall, thick grass, whereas a finishing mower cannot.

Other's will give some better insight as well.

 

[BB_TX]

Bush Hog is a brand name but is often used as a name for a rotary cutter. Rotary cutter is the technically correct name. But Bush Hog = brush hog = rotary cutter = shredder = slasher = ?.
Uses are as Gatorboy described. The rotary cutter can also be used for cutting brush, tall weeds, small trees and saplings, etc. Some of us even try small rocks and stumps on occasion. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[MarkLeininger]

One other point is that a rotary cutter can be raised to a higher cutting height than a finishing mower. If you plan to maintain pasture with it, a good height is about 8-12" which is higher than finishing mowers can be adjusted.

 

[Ortis]

Thanks! I had not heard rotary cutter before and was afraid I was missing something. btw, I have a 6' King Kutter finishing mower that came with my NAA. It works surprizingly well, and does a fairly neat job.

I know that 4' is a common size for a rotary cutter for small tractors, but 4' is a bit small. Could an NAA (~35 horsepower) handle something wider?

 

[Soundguy]

8n handles a 5' rotary cutter / 6' finish mower.. NAA handles 6' rotary cutter, and a 6' finish mower ( a bit better than a 8n).

Soundguy

 

[BB_TX]

I run a 6' with 27 PTO HP (about 32 engine HP). As long as I keep the pasture mowed regularly, I can run about as fast as I dare taking a full cut (with about 1' overlap). If I let it grow up too much, I just slow down a little or take smaller bites. And I have backed it over some pretty good size cedar trees. It clanks and bangs and throws stuff everywhere but doesn't lug the tractor down. But then cedars and such are pretty soft.

 

[beenthere]

In addition to the above info, the rotary cutter has a single rotating arm with loose heavy blades attached to the ends, whereas the finishing mower typically has three shorter rotating, one-piece blades similar to belly mower and lawn mower decks.

 

[AndyTractor]

<font color="red"> Please who can explain "FLAIL MOWER"!!!??? </font> /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[anojones]

As far as an "Implements for Dummies"- I ended up just reading this forum as far back as I could stand. There is a lot of repeated information but I learned a lot and figured out what I needed to get my projects done. Now I just do a search of the forum when I have specific questions. Lots of good info.

 

[BB_TX]

Never used one but they resemble a tiller except that they have a set of rotating or "flailing" knives turning at much higher high speed than a tiller. <font color="blue"> Here is a video of one in action. </font> Click on View Video. Looks impressive.

 

[KennyV]

Andy
Flail mower = Hammer mill. KennyV.

 

[inveresk]

I found this Bobcat site a great help in explaining what each implement is used for. attachments overview

 

[odleefs]

Andy,
Depending on the type of hammer used in a flail mower, you can have a rough cut with relatively thicker material chopped (let's say up to 3") vs. a more finished cut but thinner cut capacity (3/4 to 1 "). Different hammers are even available so you could turn your flail cutter into a dethatcher!
The primary advantage of a flail mower is that they tend to be safer to use around buildings, cars, people and livestock because they are less apt to discharge high velocity projectiles compared to a typical mower/cutter.
Hope this helps! Steve

 

[inveresk]

I've recently sourced a Buhler Farm King rfm. First 3ph implement I've sourced and haven't even hooked it up yet. Doing so will be the first time I've used the 3ph. Can I lift the rfm using the 3ph and so cut longer grass the the implement is designed for?

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've recently sourced a Buhler Farm King rfm. First 3ph implement I've sourced and haven't even hooked it up yet. Doing so will be the first time I've used the 3ph. <font color="red"> Can I lift the rfm using the 3ph and so cut longer grass the the implement is designed for? </font> )</font>

<font color="red"> Can He? </font>

 

[Egon]

I'm quite sure the RFM could be raised to cut higher. Think the only limit would be the angle on the driveline.

The manufacturer may have a definite answere.

I use a mid mount finish mower to cut blackberries, grasses, light bush etc. that are three to four feet tall. Of course my height limit on the mower is about six inches.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[inveresk]

The Buhler is good for a cut up to 4 1/2 inches. I'll try to get an extra couple inches using the 3ph and report back.

 

[inveresk]

I dropped the backhoe tonight and connected the mower up to the 3ph for the first time. I think I've got it right - the manual is pretty good but I'm not sure if I have the top link connected right. The manual says for rfm use, to connect the toplink to the bottom link mounting hole but when I do that, a grease nipple on it rubs on the hood of the pto when I tighten it, so I've connected it to the top mounting hole instead. I've then tightened the toplink so that it and the carrier on the rfm are horizontal (see photograph). I've adjusted the tension so the rear of the mower is now slightly higher than the front. However, I wonder if this is right. With the toplink tightened this way, what happens when the tractor goes over a mound? Won't the back of the rfm be lifted clear of the ground leaving some grass uncut? Does the top link needs some flexibility for going over mounds and hollows? If so, how should they be configured so they operate correctly? Do I just loosen it off and if so by how much?

 

[kubotabilly]

inveresk,
I have an 84" RFM on my L3430 and I adjust the height of the mower by the guage wheels on the mower. A finish mower must have all the guage wheels set at the same height to mow properly. As far as the toplink goes, you need some play in the hookup to allow the mower to move with the changing ground conditions. I set the toplink on mine by making the mower level in the raised position. This gives me ample movement in the toplink when I lower the mower. Make sure when you raise the mower the front gauge wheels do not hit the rear tractor tires /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

Bill