Rotary Cutter Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation

[Charles Billings]

I will be purchasing a bush hog type rotary cutter sometime between now and next spring. By my own acknowledgement, I have overspent our reasonable implement budget for 2009, but if I found the right rotary cutter this fall at a good price, I probably could still be persuaded.

Rough cut is what I need to maintain sides of the driveway (1/4 mile) and garden perimeter, 1/4-1/2 acre of perimeter. This means cutting tall grass and brush in very uneven terrain, but only for a day or two, 2-3 times a year.

I am considering the following for my NH TC45DA :
1. 6 Bush Hog Squealer
2. 6 Bush Hog 286
3. 6 King Kutter L-72-60-HD
4. 6 New Holand 717GC
5. New Holand 737GC

I am thinking that the Bush Hog 286 would be a very good, long lasting rotary cutter, but am also interested in the NH 737GC and KK 72-60-HD, both of which also have 7 gauge decks and heavy duty gear drives. The NH 737 comes with a slip clutch. I have found a NH dealer who buys in bulk and will sell a new 737 for about $2000, or the 717GC for $1459. The Bush Hog 286 is more like $3500.

With my limited use, do I need the medium duty cutter, or would the Squealer or NH 717GC lighter duty cutters stand up to my rather light use?

My understanding is that the NH rotary cutters are a new line introduced within the last two years. I like their specifications, but does anyone who has owed one of these newer cutters have any feedback? Also, does anyone have feedback on the KK heavy duty cutters, and any recommendation on where to buy the KK HD line from anyone other than Northern Tools?

 

[bill in ny]

also take a look at the landpride rcr18 series. they are well built cutters.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Stay away from the King Kutter. Every thing I have had from them has been a disappointment, especially my mower. My 2 bottom plow is not bad but gets very little use, maybe 30 minutes a year.

Chris

 

[sld]

Looks like the limited use you are proposing doesn't justify spending top dollar.

I have had good luck with KK and you should be able to get one for less than 1000.

 

[big bubba]

I purchased a 296 Bush Hog (replacement model for 286) with ft & rear chains for around 2300. 3 yrs later, got 1500 trade in for it. 3500 is way out there for that model. good all around cutter, fairly heavy duty. if you also want a quality cut pay attention to the blade tip speed, should be above 15,000 fpm. wouldn't go w/squealer or kkutter. land pride looks good too. heard conflicting reports on Howse, wouldn't go with their lighter model. good luck! bb

 

[Soundguy]

With your use I'd buy an economy cutter and save my money.. you are talking about a small handfull of hours of cutting time per year..

soundguy

 

[Charles Billings]

Thanks for the advice so far. I do hope that my limited use could translate into the lighter duty mowers, but am sitll concerned about the terrain and occasionaly hitting heavy objects (rocks, heavy brush, etc).

Also, hoping someone has experience with the new line of NH rotary cutters which seem to be very well built based on the specifications, and have a decent warranty.

 

[DRod]

Like you, after overspending on other things (like a tractor, but that doesn't count), I was looking to stretch my implement dollars. I ended up buying a 6' International rotary cutter from a local implement dealer. After a year of use on 25 acres, I'm very pleased. I'm thinking it was like $700 - $800.

There's mention of this brand in other threads - I find it to be pretty heavy duty, and the only problems I've ever had were knocking over a concrete block wall with it (oops ), and the clutch overheating when I use it to "landscape" the groundhog holes .

One of the big name brands may last longer or be more durable. - I don't know. For occasional use, though, something like this might be the ticket.

 

[Ken45101]

You are talking about a half hour use, a couple of times a year. Unless you have big rocks and stumps and hidden dirt piles, I think a light duty cutter will serve you well for many years.

You didn't say what kind of tractor you have. I assume it's in the 35-50 hp range and can handle the rear weight of the mowers your are looking at?

 

[polo1665]

Like you, after overspending on other things (like a tractor, but that doesn't count), I was looking to stretch my implement dollars. I ended up buying a 6' International rotary cutter from a local implement dealer. After a year of use on 25 acres, I'm very pleased. I'm thinking it was like $700 - $800.

There's mention of this brand in other threads - I find it to be pretty heavy duty, and the only problems I've ever had were knocking over a concrete block wall with it (oops ), and the clutch overheating when I use it to "landscape" the groundhog holes .

One of the big name brands may last longer or be more durable. - I don't know. For occasional use, though, something like this might be the ticket.

I also have the six foot International and have been please with it. Last time I was at my dealer I saw that they are now manufactured under the Hawkline brand name. Same red rotary cutter, but sticker now says International by Hawkline. Checked on the internet when I got home and the price of the six footer (ITC 602) with the Hawkline badge was $1,100, pretty big price increase. I got mine for between $700 and $800 as well.

Mark

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have a 6' bush hog squealer and use about 150 hrs a year and have not had any problems with it, before that I had a howse brand 6' RC with the 6" channel sides, very heavy built and it cut like a finishing mower, I got caught up in the brand name and had I known then what I know now I would have never got rid of my Howse mower, I am not dissatisfied with the Bush Hog I just thought by what alot of people said that if I thought that Howse mower cut good that I would really be pleased with the Bush Hog, and it does do a good job, but not as good as the Howse, and the Howse was 850$ and the Bush Hog was 1400$. The one thing I learned is everybody likes something different and the most expensive is'nt always the best, for what you are going to be doing I personally don't think that you will need a high dollar mower. Hope this helps, good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[RichZ]

Get the King Kutter, no question. Your use is very limited, and you don't really need anything sturdier. That's not to say the King Kutter isn't sturdy. I have a King Kutter brush hog, that I've had for about 7 years, and I use it to maintain my pastures, and I help out 3 meighbors, by maintaining their pastures as well. I routinely go over saplings with 2 inch (or more) diameters, I've hit rocks of all sorts, stumps, barbed wire, and a kid working for me on my farm ran it over with his pick up. It's never missed a beat.

 

[Charles Billings]

This thread is running with a parallel theme at "Anyone own a TSC rotary mower?" At least so far here, the council seems to be that for light use, at least, and probably for moderate use, too, the Bush Hog Squealer, King Kutter and other lighter duty cutters will work very well, and last a long time. Cost versus individual value is not easy to determine, otherwise we would just go into our auto or tractor dealer and pay full retail sticker price. That is why the feedback from Tractorbynet people is so important in making these difficult purchase decisions. While some cheap stuff is junk, some equipment can be purchased for less, and offer similar value to the higher priced brands.

 

[Soundguy]

my tsc/kk 5' hog is going on 10ys now.. it was used to cut 13ac every few weeks for about 7 ys.. now the last 3ys is a trim mower for the edges and trails, and some right of way work.. probably cuts 10ac a month doing that. I just put a new coat of paint on it a few weeks ago and it looks and runs like the day I bought it... best 500$ I ever spent on a mower ( in it's like it's taken out a bit of 2" green.. and not so green material.. countless hundreds of ant mounds.. burried lumber.. etc... has shucked a couple boxes of shear pins in that time too... )

soundguy

 

[Thudawg]

Take a solid look at the Kodiak - better fit, finish and construction than the KK and less expensive for a way better built cutter (IMHO). Google "brush hog" or "farm implements" and look for the websites in the list to the right. Some of them are sure to have that brand listed. Very good experience with them and you can snag a std duty for under a grand.

Happy hunting!

 

[Ford850]

This thread is running with a parallel theme at "Anyone own a TSC rotary mower?" At least so far here, the council seems to be that for light use, at least, and probably for moderate use, too, the Bush Hog Squealer, King Kutter and other lighter duty cutters will work very well, and last a long time. Cost versus individual value is not easy to determine, otherwise we would just go into our auto or tractor dealer and pay full retail sticker price. That is why the feedback from Tractorbynet people is so important in making these difficult purchase decisions. While some cheap stuff is junk, some equipment can be purchased for less, and offer similar value to the higher priced brands.

Add to that the confusion over KK and TSC brands. TSC now sells a lighter rotary cutter and I'm not sure if it would hold up as well as the KK. I have a KK 72" with the 40hp gear box. I see you listed the 60hp gear box, which makes your choice even better. The I-beam side wall design of the KK mowers is hard to beat. Mine has taken a lot of abuse and I thought it was on it's way out. I actually hoped it was, so I could get a new Bush Hog since they are rated so high on here. After seeing the prices for the squealers I was in shock and decided to keep the KK. After a new set of blades mine is cutting like new, as smooth as can be. I don't think it will ever wear out now that I store it in a barn.

 

[Charles Billings]

I will definitely check out the Kodiak. I also like the fact that many of you have had such good luck with the KK brand. It is my understanding that TSC sold the same KK machine as everyone else, at least until they came out with the rebranded County Line. I remember asking TSC if the tiller they sold under the County Line brand was identical to the KKII tiller. All they would tell me is that you couldn't tell them apart if they were sitting side by side. That isn't exactly what I wanted to hear, and it leaves some doubt. Does anyone know if the TSC rebranded hog cutters are identical to, or poorer spec cousins of the KK? It is also intersting that no one has reported anything about the new New Holland line of rotary cutters. If you look at the specs, they appear to be a good machine.

 

[Soundguy]

havn't used a blue mower newer than the ford 951 series.. and those were awesome mowers...

soundguy

 

[lawn_king]

Just for the heck of it, compare the price of the landpride 18 series to the machine you decide to go with. If its close, you cant go wrong with the landprides. I have owned both 15 & 18 series, quality machines!

 

[pitt_md]

Might want to consider a woods brand cutter.
I have the medium duty 6' Heritage model that is a really stout unit. I have hit all manner of things and it just keeps on chopping.