Rotary Cutter Rotary Cutters: Bush Hog or Woods

[Travis_R]

I know it depends on models and this could very well be opinionated, but all around, who makes a better rotary cutter (brush hog), Bush Hog or Woods?

I’ve never owned any Woods product but have owned many Bush Hog rotary cutters over the years and have been well-satisfied.

It will be going on my little Yanmar YM2500 “gray market” tractor. It’s basically the same tractor as the old compact John Deere 850. They were both made on the same assembly line by Yanmar in Japan back in the mid 70s and early 80s. It has about 28 engine hp and 25 PTO hp.

Woods offers more choices. They have several different models to choose from:
The BrushBull 60.30, the new BrushFighter BF5.20, and the discontinued RC60.20.

Bush Hog offers the BH115 and the BH215.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Torvy]

I looked at both before deciding a ditch flail mower was better for me.

Both are good brands and it will really come down to little things that you like versus what others may like.

I like to use spreadsheets to compare the stats. It doesn't address the dealer, but allows for an analytical way to compare apples to apples.

 

[John_Mc]

I've owned a Woods BB60 for 24 years. (Older model designation. Back then the choice was the BB60 or the BB600. The 600 was much heavier than I needed, and probably too heavy for my tractor.) Judging from the weight, I'm guessing model is probably similar to the current BF5.20, though my recollection is that it was rated to cut larger diameter than the BF5.20 (I can't find the specs on my old cutter now.)

This mower has led a hard life mowing meadows and trails, where it routinely beats on rocks and stumps. It has finally gotten to the point where I am ready to replace it. I suspect that it would have lasted much longer if it had not been for the steady diet of rocks it has beat on. I'm happy enough with it that I will replace it with another Woods rotary cutter. I'm leaning toward the BB 60.30 over the BF5.20 - just wondering how the extra 150 lbs will feel on the back (as compared to my old BB60)

I have no experience with the Brush Hog models.

 

[Jstpssng]

This question is almost like asking which is better in your drink; frozen water or ice.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one, it would come down to which was closer and cost the least.
(Mine is a 1974 IH 5 foot mower)

 

[Cycledude]

I believe both brands are good.
I happen to own a Woods Dixie cutter, bought it new over 40 years ago, it’s kinda beat up from hitting rocks but has never given me any trouble, mine is equipped with a slip clutch. It does a pretty decent job cutting especially if the blades are reasonably sharp.
I have seen a few rotary cutters at auctions that obviously were never properly maintained and they still seem to sell for pretty decent prices.

 

[Travis_R]

I've owned a Woods BB60 for 24 years. (Older model designation. Back then the choice was the BB60 or the BB600. The 600 was much heavier than I needed, and probably too heavy for my tractor.) Judging from the weight, I'm guessing model is probably similar to the current BF5.20, though my recollection is that it was rated to cut larger diameter than the BF5.20 (I can't find the specs on my old cutter now.)

This mower has led a hard life mowing meadows and trails, where it routinely beats on rocks and stumps. It has finally gotten to the point where I am ready to replace it. I suspect that it would have lasted much longer if it had not been for the steady diet of rocks it has beat on. I'm happy enough with it that I will replace it with another Woods rotary cutter. I'm leaning toward the BB 60.30 over the BF5.20 - just wondering how the extra 150 lbs will feel on the back (as compared to my old BB60)

I have no experience with the Brush Hog models.

The Woods BrushBull 60.30 will be the way to go for you. It took the place of the BB60X.
The BrushFighter BF5.20 is a brand new model from Woods. It’s a MUCH LIGHTER model. It took the place of the RC Series.

 

[Travis_R]

I’m looking very hard at the 5’ Rural King branded King Kutter from Rural King. It’s the Professional Series Flex Hitch model with a 40 hp gearbox. It would be all I need.
There’s a sale going on right now with $100 off. This model doesn’t have a slip clutch, but I can add it later if I wanted.
I don’t have a RK close to me, it would have to be delivered to my house (unless we took a road trip for a day).
I could have a Red one delivered to my door for $1,900 total.

 

[oldnslo]

For light cutting that should work just fine.

Around here Woods is common since factory is 20 miles away.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

I’m looking very hard at the 5’ Rural King branded King Kutter from Rural King. It’s the Professional Series Flex Hitch model with a 40 hp gearbox. It would be all I need.
There’s a sale going on right now with $100 off. This model doesn’t have a slip clutch, but I can add it later if I wanted.
I don’t have a RK close to me, it would have to be delivered to my house (unless we took a road trip for a day).
I could have a Red one delivered to my door for $1,900 total.
View attachment 3658941

Did you buy the king kutter professional? I see running’s has them for that price also.

If you did, what do you think of it?

 

[Travis_R]

Did you buy the king kutter professional? I see running’s has them for that price also.

If you did, what do you think of it?

I’ve decided to put the purchase on hold right now. I haven’t bought anything yet. Not going to at the moment because it’s just not the right time. I may purchase a new 4 foot King Kutter Flex Hitch Professional Series rotary cutter from a Co-Op in my area a little later on. They are the cheapest on price so far. But I will compare prices again once I’m closer to buying and when Rural King has sales again.

When I do buy, it will be a 4 foot rotary cutter regardless.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’d look at Frontier if on a budget and Deere if you have a little more money.
Excellent cutters. I bought Deere instead of Woods or Bush Hog.

 

[Travis_R]

I’d look at Frontier if on a budget and Deere if you have a little more money.
Excellent cutters. I bought Deere instead of Woods or Bush Hog.

Thanks.
I found a used Frontier 4’ on marketplace for an excellent deal, but it had already sold before I could get to it.

If I buy new, I’ve narrowed it down to 3 choices: King Kutter, Rural King (which is King Kutter), or Lowery Manufacturing (LMC) from a local LMC dealer.

In my opinion, I think the King Kutter and Rural King rotary cutters are a little better built than the LMC and definitely have a better paint job than the Lowery.

It will probably come down to which one I can get the best deal on.

Everything is through the roof expensive this day and time.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thanks.
I found a used Frontier 4’ on marketplace for an excellent deal, but it had already sold before I could get to it.

If I buy new, I’ve narrowed it down to 3 choices: King Kutter, Rural King (which is King Kutter), or Lowery Manufacturing (LMC) from a local LMC dealer.

In my opinion, I think the King Kutter and Rural King rotary cutters are a little better built than the LMC and definitely have a better paint job than the Lowery.

It will probably come down to which one I can get the best deal on.

Everything is through the roof expensive this day and time.

Thats why I buy almost everything used.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I started out with a New Bush Hog BH 114 behind my SCUT 25HP 19.6 PTO HP ... I found that the 44" of cut width was 6" less then the outside of my rear tires, after I put 3" wheel spacers on ...

The next year I traded it in for New Bush Hog BH 115 (56"cut) and have been very happy with it, only thing is I need extra front ballast in the loader bucket, as once the tail wheel comes off the ground, and I going 3.5 mph which I cut at ... It takes about twice the distance to turn!

 

[Shawn T. W.]

I don't have Woods, but ... Both my Bush Hog rotary cutters came with what I call a "floppy link" it has an oblong slot that allows the top link to float to some extent, very helpful for such a long attachment that you would prefer to stay on the ground, but also not jamb up into the back of your tractor ...

I got the optional front chains, and slip clutch ... Don't know if others have blades that have "lift" but both mine did!

It's 8' long!

Kinked up as tight as it will go, as I back down into a valley ... At this point the three point can raise a small bit ...

Topping a hill, like this, can cause the tail wheel to come off the ground ...

 

[mjonesnh]

I don't have Woods, but ... Both my Bush Hog rotary cutters came with what I call a "floppy link" it has an oblong slot that allows the top link to float to some extent, very helpful for such a long attachment that you would prefer to stay on the ground, but also not jamb up into the back of your tractor ...

I got the optional front chains, and slip clutch ...

View attachment 3854585

It's 8' long!

View attachment 3854588

Kinked up as tight as it will go, as I back down into a valley ... At this point the three point can raise a small bit ...
View attachment 3854589

Topping a hill, like this, can cause the tail wheel to come off the ground ...
View attachment 3854590

Have an SQ600 5 foot, has a floppy link also. Makes big difference on uneven ground keeping tail wheel planted on ground

 

[jwinner]

I always wanted a Woods brand cutter so I got a BB72.30. It has a system that functions like the “floppy link” on the Bush Hog above. Mine has a slip clutch and chain shields as well. Makes a very clean cut, like a finish mower - if the weeds are not crazy tall. The other thing is it has a cover instead of the hole in the deck like the one above to access the blades, and most important it uses pins instead of massive bolts to hold the blades on - that way to change them you only need to torque a small bolt to 40 foot pounds rather than the ridiculous 600 foot pounds on the big ones.