Rotary Cutter Need Rotary Cutter Review

Wayne's Train · Apr 29, 2009

Looking to buy a brush hog. I want to contract pasture and large lawn jobs with my landscaper neighbor. Has anyone had experience or opinion of an LMC Clipper 400? Dealer sells them for less than $600. Gonna pull it with my BX24. I've read people talk about KK mowers not being able to lift high enough to load on trailers without modification. Is that something I'll have to modify too? Anyone have pics or video? I've had my Kubota for over a year, contracted some driveway and ditch jobs, done a lot of landscaping in my own yard, cuts my grass, pulls my hay ride wagon, and my 30' trackless train when my little tractor can't handle the hills.

BX24 TLB, 54" mmm, 2" reciever hitch.

kebo · Apr 29, 2009

Bush hogs generally don't give a finish cut on lawns, especially with dull blades although some will give a decent cut. But, I have to ask the question since you have a MMM, why not use that for the big lawn jobs?? I am pretty sure it will cut the same yard faster than with a 4ft bush hog. Also, a 4ft bush hog will take a bit longer to cut same size pastures than a 5ft or 6ft will so keep that in mind when you quote a job. As for loading, it really depends on high the trailer deck is off the ground, and how long your ramps are as to whether or not you will need to modify anything.

Wayne's Train · Apr 29, 2009

I cut a neighbors yard last summer, 2-4 foot grass, 2 acres. Took 4 passes, once with mmm up high as it would go, waited two days, cut a little lower, wait, cut at 4" twice. It looked good after the last time but I could have done it faster with the first pass with a rotary. There was so much hay I could have bailed it. But yes you're right, I will use the mmm on lawns, rotary on pastures. The reason I inquired about the lifting height is in another one of these threads somebody was talking about using the same tractor with a 48" King Kutter. They had to do some mods to the mounts to be able to get enough lift to operate it normally and to get it up a ramp onto the trailor. Don't know if this due to cutter or tractor. My trailer is about 19" high with 6' ramps.

joes_427_vette · Apr 29, 2009

Keep in mind... you get what you pay for. Buy a cheap cutter and hopefully you don't use it enough to have alot of problems. If you plan on doing contract work get a name brand with a high hp gearbox and a decent metal thickness deck. I have seen the economy versions after a couple years usage and it is a sight. Your money and decision... just look at some used models in the dealers display lot.

Wayne's Train · Apr 29, 2009

Indeed, noted. That's the reason I started this thread. I know little about rotaries and thought it best to throw out a line to get the opinions of people who know. What I need to know is what is a good size and cost rotary for my tractor, BX24, to go out and do a limited amount of basicly for now, clearing empty lots in subdivisions that are owned by the bank and the HOA hires landskeepers to keep the grass and weeds down. The Clipper 400 looks to be a good size and price match for doing lightweight jobs like this.

SailorBob · Apr 30, 2009

Wayne's Train said:
Looking to buy a brush hog. I want to contract pasture and large lawn jobs with my landscaper neighbor. Has anyone had experience or opinion of an LMC Clipper 400? Dealer sells them for less than $600. Gonna pull it with my BX24. I've read people talk about KK mowers not being able to lift high enough to load on trailers without modification. Is that something I'll have to modify too? Anyone have pics or video? I've had my Kubota for over a year, contracted some driveway and ditch jobs, done a lot of landscaping in my own yard, cuts my grass, pulls my hay ride wagon, and my 30' trackless train when my little tractor can't handle the hills.

BX24 TLB, 54" mmm, 2" reciever hitch.

I have that exact LMC cutter. I have had it for 4 years now. It has worked great for me. I use it with a Yanmar YM1700 (20 HP). It has been a real work horse.

Wayne's Train · Apr 30, 2009

Thanks Sailor Bob. That's just what I was looking for. Someone with firsthand experience. BTW here's another project I'm working on. Keep in mind it's not finished.

Oldmax · May 1, 2009

I don't know about the size of your tractor would have any thing to do with it but mine loads fine with a 5' K/K rotary cutter . Is a 1715 Ford/New holland FWD 27 HP. Use special care when adjusting height of cut, Will do good job if you keep blades sharp and speed of tractor down and not over run blade speed with tractor speed. The guy that used to mow my farm would mow in higest gear of tractor and just ran over grass not giving blades time to cut.

Wayne's Train · May 3, 2009

Great tractor, Old Max. I'm not familiar with that one but by the looks of the tires it probably bigger than my BX24. From what I've heard on the forums here, a 4 footer is going to be the safest load on this size tractor. One thing I have heard a lot is the BX24's 3PH doesn't lift a rear cutter very high without modifying the mounts of the mower. I don't know first hand I don't have any implements to attach to it yet. In fact it's still in the box. I've had it for over a year but you can still tell I'm a newbe. I do however find things to do with it though. These were taken today. That's Heinz driving it for me.

SailorBob · May 4, 2009

That is a nice tractor. It is a lot smaller than my Yanmar though. I would definitely not go any larger that a 4' cutter with it. You will probably need some weight on the front too.

Wayne's Train · May 4, 2009

Thanks, Sailor Bob. I should have enough cash in about two more weekends to order a Clipper 400 in orange paint. LMC will special paint any of their products at no extra. If the front end feels light I can put the FEL back on. Take it back off though for tight places.

rmitch1971 · Aug 8, 2014

I've had my Howse rotary mower for 2-3 years. It is a HUGE piece of JUNK. DO NOT BUY. The wheel has fallen off twice and the blade assembly has fallen totally out of the gear box TWICE!!!!! I've had to replace the seal on the gear box and it STILL leaks. PLEASE, buy a Bush Hog or some other brand----Howse is NOT a reliable brand. Nothing but headaches!!!

caver · Aug 8, 2014

+2 on junk. I have a 400 Clipper and it looks like it was painted with a brush by a grade schooler. Hit a loose rock and bent the shaft so the gear boxes are light duty. I was new to tractors and rotary cutters and went low budget.

Panik · Aug 8, 2014

xring100 said:
...... this thread has been inactive for 5 years

:laughing: Well I feel like a goober now

xring100 · Aug 8, 2014

rmitch1971 said:
I've had my Howse rotary mower for 2-3 years. It is a HUGE piece of JUNK. DO NOT BUY. The wheel has fallen off twice and the blade assembly has fallen totally out of the gear box TWICE!!!!! I've had to replace the seal on the gear box and it STILL leaks. PLEASE, buy a Bush Hog or some other brand----Howse is NOT a reliable brand. Nothing but headaches!!!

Welcome to the forum FYI this thread has been inactive for 5 years

sawtooth · Aug 8, 2014

Yeah but sometimes it's good to bring the dead back to life. Yes Howse is junk but you get what you pay for and some people will only buy the cheapest stuff know to man. I had this experience once and will be my last. I buy only quality now. Maybe I can't get as many things but what I buy works.

kneedeep · Aug 27, 2015

May be a old thread but I just bought a 7' HD LMC with 60HP gearbox. The sides are channel iron and the deck is 1/4" plate with plenty of bracing. Pulls through thick stuff like hot knife in butter.

PS- tractor speed should match what you are mowing

Thick- slow
Thin- faster