Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter: Rhino vs. Bushhog?

Cyberchuck · Dec 20, 2005

I'm going to buy a rotary cutter for my Kubota B7500 (17 PTO hp).

My local dealers have a Rhino SE-4 for $915, or a BushHog brand SQ480 for $795. Both are 48", and to me look pretty similar.

My question is whether the Rhino is worth the extra $120. I don't mind paying more if I'm getting better durability, better service parts availability or something else tangible.

Is the Rhino worth it, or should I save the $120 and go with the BushHog?

TIA,
Chuck
Athens, GA

Gatorboy · Dec 20, 2005

The Rhino is better than the Bushhog, but you can't go wrong with either model.

gamble77 · Dec 20, 2005

Does the Rhino have a slip clutch on it? That might be where the price difference is coming from. I would imagine at that price the Rhino has a slip clutch, the SQ480 isn't offered with it. If they are both shear pin protection then the Rhino would not be worth the extra money.

HomeBrew2 · Dec 20, 2005

I can't compare them for you but I have the SQ480 and can't imagine needing more ($) cutter (for the size). Great unit.
Good point about the slip clutch vs cost though. If that's the case, and you do your own work, AgriSupply has slip clutches for ~$65.
A note about the BushHog shear pin ... mine came (setup by idiot dealer) with a grade 5 bolt/shear pin. I replaced it with a grade 2 (per manual).
Cheers!

tjkadar · Dec 20, 2005

You might want to consider a Bush Whacker too. They are very solid chunks of equipment. Of course, not everyone needs a heavy duty unit like it.

When we were looking for a new rotary unit, we found a pretty good difference in price on Bush Hogs from one dealer to another. Shopping around might get you a slightly better deal. Not sure about the Rhinos as we didn't price them.

IslandTractor · Dec 20, 2005

Never seen the Rhino but I own and am very happy with the BushHog model you are considering. $795 is a good price too.

gamble77 · Dec 20, 2005

Also make sure that the BushHog has the laminated trail wheel not the solid tire...you will thank yourself.

margaritaman · Dec 20, 2005

I have the Rhino SE-5 and L3400. Can't speak for the Bush Hog but I can't imagine a tougher unit than the Rhino. Mine gets put through some tough duty and rough terrain. Breaks a shear pin now and then but that's what it is supposed to do. I am impressed with the quality and heaviness of the housing, etc.

flusher · Dec 20, 2005

I have a 48" King Kutter rotary mower ($675 at Tractor Supply Co.) for my B7510HST (21HP engine, 17HP at the PTO). It comes with a PTO shaft that has a shear bolt, but you could install a slip clutch without a lot of trouble if that's your preference.

I use it for weeds (don't have any heavy brush or small saplings on my 10 acres) and it works fine. The 7510 has no trouble handling this beastie.

KK has a reputation for making no-frills, relatively inexpensive stuff that gets the job done. Some folks here consider KK stuff to be cheap enough to throw away rather than bother with an expensive or time-consuming repair.

Travis_R · Dec 20, 2005

Hey,

I have a Bush Hog SQ600 Squealer rotary cutter. I gave $890.00 for it back in February. I don't think I could have bought anything better for the money. I knew about the Rhino cutters, but all we have around here mainly is Bush Hog and the cheaper units.
I have put my squealer through things you probably wouldn't imagine....gotta give a shout out to my Mahindra tractor too, very tough... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...but anyway, I have only sheared the pin 2 times. Both times were from unseen stumps. I have cut at least 4" ironwood trees with it. Not to mention all the brush and cottonwood trees.
I don't think I will ever buy a cutter with a slip clutch. I don't see where a person would need one. Unless its just preference. I have been VERY impressed with the shear pin model Bush Hog Squealer.

If I were you, I would get the Bush Hog. But from what I hear, both are excellent cutters.

Travis

heehaw · Dec 21, 2005

$65, i have got to locate agrisupply, the cheapest i can find around here is $100.
thanks
heehaw

Latheman · Dec 21, 2005

I have a Woods brushbull of that size and spent about the same amount of money. I've cut light brush with it! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Love it!

Freds · Dec 21, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have a 48" King Kutter rotary mower ($675 at Tractor Supply Co.) )</font>

YOWZA! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I called earlier this year because I have a 4 footer I wanted to sell and they were $545! I'm glad I didn't get enough gumption to advertise it. This spring I should be able to make a good dollar on it. I feel like I'm holding onto gold.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

ronjhall · Dec 21, 2005

They have a sale on a 1 3/8 shaft model for $60.95. Be sure to enter the site using Farm & Tractor. You end up in the trailer section if you enter from another page. agri-supply

djg · Dec 21, 2005

I have a SQ480. I used it to cut two acres of neglected farm. It worked well behind my 15HP Kubota. The Bushhog literature says it is good up to 1" dia. brush. Find out what the Rhino can cut. That should help you decide.

FL4400 · Dec 21, 2005

I have a Rhino SE6 and love it so far,I have used both and the Bush Hogs are tough I have one that they should put in the hall of fame at Bush Hog. But it seems to me that the Rhino is built a little better by the design of it. I have replaced many tail wheel assemblies on the Bush Hog from them not being very rigid in the support system. It has flat metal welded to the round stock that the tail wheel goes thru and they bend a little to easy. The Rhino has square tubing for the tail wheel support and seems to be pretty strong. I would spend the extra money to get a slip clutch.But that is just my 2 cents.

heehaw · Dec 22, 2005

found it, thanks...not sure what the shipping will be yet, but it will surely save me some $$ over the $100 local price:
maybe i'm wrong, as i tend to be that way, more often than not : but i have a B7510 Kubota, and i am more concerned about what it will do than what the rhino or bush hog cutter will do: seems like a cheaper light weight cutter would do everything the 7510 would?
heehaw

IslandTractor · Dec 22, 2005

It depends on how hard you intend to abuse the cutter. I think the cheapo cutters are probably perfectly fine for mowing meadows etc. If you are clearing land and hitting stumps, saplings, rocks etc it would pay to get one of the better brands.

heehaw · Dec 22, 2005

i'm not sure how much clearing, hitting stumps etc a person is going to do with a 17 pto hp tractor? i'd a whole lot rather tear up that cheapo cutter than the tractor. that said, i have been accused of being able to tear up an anvil with a rubber mallet.
heehaw

SWB · Dec 22, 2005

Even hitting stumps and rocks, IMHO a light duty cheap rotary mower is probably all most of us need unless we are planning to use the mower to bulldoze down trees. I have had a variety of mowers of the light duty, el cheapo type and never damaged the gear box or tractor using only the shear pin model. I think the heavy duty decks will last longer because they won't rust out as quick if they are made of heavier guage metal and they are left to sit out for long periods of time. This is generally what goes in my opinion (the deck) rather than the gear box. Even then, you can weld some additional plates on and it will cost you less than getting the more expensive mower to begin with. I have had it done with a mower that was almost rusting through and dangerous and then sold it in still good working order.

Most of the better quality mowers cost twice what the lighter duty ones cost and yet most of us won't wear out the first one, let alone two.