Comparison Stoutest rotary cutter?

[dbaer78]

In the market for a new 6' cutter. I have all the major brands available fairly close. I'm looking for a "medium duty" cutter as the manufacturers put it so something like a 1872 or 2072 LP or a 172 Rhino. I would love a heavy duty cutter with 3" capacity but can't justify the extra $1000 since I'm on a tight budget. I won't just be trimming pasture and mowing water ways. This thing will see brush use too just not extended use in 2-3" trees or anything. So I'd like to hear from any one who has one of these cutters or something similar to see which is the best bang for the buck. Thanks, drew

 

[kco]

I have a Chinese made 4' rough mower similar to the ones shown in this link:

http://www.cheinc.net/internationalmowers.htm

The same mower is likely available under several names and suppliers.

I purchased it new from the local Kubota dealer who recommended it as an ugly, tough mower that is better value than some of the prettier, well know brands.

Mine has served great in rough conditions for 6 years.

 

[DT86]

Look up Howse, King Kutter and Taylor Way. I'm sure there are also many others that make a nice medium duty cutter that will fit the budget.

 

[SanDucerro]

I have a Bush Hog SQ600 that I bought with my L3130 ten years ago, but I don't think they offer this model any longer. It's not the heavy duty model, but I've used and abused it to an extreme. I've used it to destroy 6' tall Huisache trees with 3" trunks - and we're not taking a few here, we're taking a whole bunch! I've put this thing through the paces and it just keeps on going. It has sat outside in the elements it's whole life and there isn't a spot of rust on it. I've managed to bend the sides in a place or two, but the deck is SOLID. I would not hesitate to buy this brand again. When I finally get around to buying a cutter for the new M7040 - Bush Hog is the first and last place I'll look...

 

[DKCDKC]

I've got a 5' Howse that has been through a lot of heavy brush and small trees without problem. It has chopped up some pines over 2 inches, but I'd not want to run over trees bigger than that with my tractor anyway. I put a Ratchet Rake on the FEL and just pull up and stack saplings anyway. It's not as neat, but the field is clear.

 

[amaxwell]

In the market for a new 6' cutter. I have all the major brands available fairly close. I'm looking for a "medium duty" cutter as the manufacturers put it so something like a 1872 or 2072 LP or a 172 Rhino. I would love a heavy duty cutter with 3" capacity but can't justify the extra $1000 since I'm on a tight budget. I won't just be trimming pasture and mowing water ways. This thing will see brush use too just not extended use in 2-3" trees or anything. So I'd like to hear from any one who has one of these cutters or something similar to see which is the best bang for the buck. Thanks, drew

I would suggest looking at the specs.for each one you are considering and get the heaviest and thickest blades and deepest deck. I would stick to well known brand. I had no luck with an off brand and traded it in on a Woods and have been pleased. The deck on the off brand wasn't very deep and the blades would flex and hit the surface even on small brush. Woods-John Deere-Rhino-Kodiak are some of the better known brands.Some times Craigslist around here has some decent deals on used ones.

 

[dbaer78]

Look up Howse, King Kutter and Taylor Way. I'm sure there are also many others that make a nice medium duty cutter that will fit the budget.

I currently co-own an old Howse with a good friend. It's to the point the deck is almost completely junk but the old 40hp shear bolt gear box is sill going strong after years of abuse by tractors way over 40 hp. I might consider another one but I don't know of any dealers close. I plan on going to to look at Taylor Way soon. The thing I do like about Howse or Taylor Way is that I can get a heavier cutter for the money but I'm concerned a little with parts availability and longevity.

 

[dbaer78]

I have a Bush Hog SQ600 that I bought with my L3130 ten years ago, but I don't think they offer this model any longer. It's not the heavy duty model, but I've used and abused it to an extreme. I've used it to destroy 6' tall Huisache trees with 3" trunks - and we're not taking a few here, we're taking a whole bunch! I've put this thing through the paces and it just keeps on going. It has sat outside in the elements it's whole life and there isn't a spot of rust on it. I've managed to bend the sides in a place or two, but the deck is SOLID. I would not hesitate to buy this brand again. When I finally get around to buying a cutter for the new M7040 - Bush Hog is the first and last place I'll look...

Bush Hog is at the top of my list too. We have a 286 at work and that thing is a real bruiser.

 

[dbaer78]

I would suggest looking at the specs.for each one you are considering and get the heaviest and thickest blades and deepest deck. I would stick to well known brand. I had no luck with an off brand and traded it in on a Woods and have been pleased. The deck on the off brand wasn't very deep and the blades would flex and hit the surface even on small brush. Woods-John Deere-Rhino-Kodiak are some of the better known brands.Some times Craigslist around here has some decent deals on used ones.

I've been memorizing specs for the last year! I would love to find a lightly used heavy duty Woods or Rhino but all I've found so far in my area is light duty worn out junk.

 

[Reyer Farms]

I like the howse too for the money they are hard to beat. Land pride makes great equipment and rhino's are great. If your just looking for tough and want some money left in the wallet I would get a howse.

 

[TripleR]

We use Woods and Land Pride and really like them, we do some pretty heavy cutting so went with the Woods DS1260 and Land Pride RCR2672. I am sure other brands are good also, I just don't have any first hand experience with them.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Also take a look at Hardee brand rotary cutters. We've had two of them over the years and they are very heavy duty. We have a 1000 series 72" cutter, they also make an 1100 series which is heavier duty yet. Hardee

 

[dbaer78]

We use Woods and Land Pride and really like them, we do some pretty heavy cutting so went with the Woods DS1260 and Land Pride RCR2672. I am sure other brands are good also, I just don't have any first hand experience with them.

The 2672 or 2772 are my "dream" cutters. I'm just not at the point where I can justify $3500 for a cutter. If I could find a good used one in my area I'd be all over it!

 

[mikim]

I've got a woods "brush bull" 600 ....BB600 (5' wide) and they make a BB720 (6' wide) That I've been using for over 10 years clearing brush and mowing pasture. It isn't showing any wear to speak of. It's weather worn from sitting outside ....but works like a new one. AND I love the way the blades come off.

 

[dbaer78]

I've got a woods "brush bull" 600 ....BB600 (5' wide) and they make a BB720 (6' wide) That I've been using for over 10 years clearing brush and mowing pasture. It isn't showing any wear to speak of. It's weather worn from sitting outside ....but works like a new one. AND I love the way the blades come off.

The bb72 is more in my price range but the 720 is very nice heavy cutter. I've looked at their blade change system and it does look handy.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I bought a HOWSE 6 foot with 65 HP gear box and used it for cutting anything my 50 HP tractor could push over and never even sheared a pin in it. The sheet metal was rather light weight but for $800 it was a very good mower. I let it go with my Yanmar tractor. Check out the Howse product line. They have light duty up to heavy duty models and they all have heavy duty gear boxes and stump jumpers. Biggest difference is in the sheet metal thickness which varies from about 1/16" up to 1/4" for heavy duty mowers.

 

[dbaer78]

I'm going to call Howse today to see if there is a dealer nearby. There used to be one about 10 miles from me but I think they quit selling equipment all together. I'd like to get a look at howse's heavy duty unit. It looks pretty stout for the prices I've found online.

On another note I've called several dealers in my area who sell Bush Hog and not one of them actually has Bush Hog stuff in stock or really even wanted to give me a price on one. They push either Woods or Rhino. I'm kind of confused. I always thought Bush Hog to be one of the top three and its frustrating that I can't find a REAL dealer.

 

[High Compression]

In my opinion, I believe Landpride builds the stoutest rotary cutter.

 

[TripleR]

The 2672 or 2772 are my "dream" cutters. I'm just not at the point where I can justify $3500 for a cutter. If I could find a good used one in my area I'd be all over it!

I had to have something able to cut 3" stuff and have cut some even a bit over, so I bit the bullet so to speak, but sure can understand the cost issues. I used more economical cutters for years before getting this one. I was able to get a pretty good discount by buying it when I bought my tractor.

 

[dbaer78]

I'm looking hard at the Taylor Pittsburg 486. It has a 90hp gearbox with slip clutch, 7 ga top deck. 1/4" sides and weighs about 1200 lbs. I was quoted $1895. Any thoughts?