Rotary Cutter Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation

   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #1  

Charles Billings

Silver Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
136
Location
Vermont
Tractor
NH TC45DA SuperSteer
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?
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #2  
also take a look at the landpride rcr18 series. they are well built cutters.
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #3  
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
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #4  
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.
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #5  
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
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #6  
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
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation
  • Thread Starter
#7  
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.
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #8  
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 :D.

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.
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #9  
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?
 
   / Rough Cut Rotary Cutter Recommendation #10  
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 :D.

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
 
 
 
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