Rotary Cutter Rotary cutters vs. RFMs
- Thread starter JayC
- Start date
i actualy seen a picture on a manual for a rotary cutter indicating to retro-fit all the chain's with a u shaped top link. They had a picture showing it.
But like i said it's very unlikely to happen in order for it to occur #1 you'd have to hit something very hard.. #2 your pto u-joint break and shift down and away..#3 the cutter would have to have enough upward movement to pull the hydralics up then it'd hit by about 3' just below the seat and would probaly land on steering wheel or so...
But like i said it's very unlikely to happen in order for it to occur #1 you'd have to hit something very hard.. #2 your pto u-joint break and shift down and away..#3 the cutter would have to have enough upward movement to pull the hydralics up then it'd hit by about 3' just below the seat and would probaly land on steering wheel or so...
JN4310
Bronze Member
I bought a Deere LX5 bush hog and used it for about 3 months as a finish mower. I added two gage wheels to the front and let it ride along on all three wheels (it comes with a flexible top link mount). The cut quality was very good, but the overall length was a real problem on anything but dead level ground. The cut height varied enormously, and over about 4 inches the quality suffered a lot. I am very glad I now have a true 72" RFM, and I just use the LX5 for what it was designed for.
djradz
Veteran Member
I wonder what they proposed for a trailer-type brush hog? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Don't use it? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
slowrev
Elite Member
Even if the brush hog could and would flip up it would depend on the tractor as to what it would do. Some have the seat more towards the rear and some have a large hunk of steel transmission/rearend behind the seat. However if you use my method of putting the chains on the cutter and keeping the top link in place it cannot be a problem.
dixy1dog
New member
Slowrev, wish you could post a picture of that chain hookup on your Hog. dixy1dog
Flail mowers are tops for addressing many of the points for using either a rotary cutter or rear mower but it is a more expensive proposition (and much more expensive if you want to get a good one).
It really boils down to two key factors:
1. What do you want to accomplish?
2. How much money do you want/have to spend?
If you are filthy rich, get one of each... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... sorry, couldn't resist.
If you are just looking to clear brush and keep the grass wacked down, then an rotary cutter (brush cutter) is the way to go ... and it's the least expensive solution.
If you have a really nice lawn that is mature in terms of it's landscape being free from debree, then you should consider the RFM. While this will result in a very nice look, I am not an advocate of this solution. I would consider the reel mower pull behind as you can get them such that they cut a much broader surface at once (like for schools) and that makes for a nicer cut and quicker work.
However, if you have something like an orchard and you want to keep the grass down while knocking down the occasional small bush and you want it to look very good (say you have pick your own) after you're done, you may want to consider the flail mower (my favorite .... grew up on a farm/orchard/vineyard with one but can't justify one at this point).
I happen to be quite pleased with my 6' rotary cutter because it is an excellent all purpose cutting attachment. I manage about 10 acres with it annually (that's a pretty big chunk) and it does a very nice job. I just purchased a new one this year (my old one fell apart).... someone made a comment about keeping rotary cutter blades sharp but I've come to learn that it's best to purchase new ones (personally, never had to do either and I have knocked down a lot of brush).
It really boils down to two key factors:
1. What do you want to accomplish?
2. How much money do you want/have to spend?
If you are filthy rich, get one of each... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif... sorry, couldn't resist.
If you are just looking to clear brush and keep the grass wacked down, then an rotary cutter (brush cutter) is the way to go ... and it's the least expensive solution.
If you have a really nice lawn that is mature in terms of it's landscape being free from debree, then you should consider the RFM. While this will result in a very nice look, I am not an advocate of this solution. I would consider the reel mower pull behind as you can get them such that they cut a much broader surface at once (like for schools) and that makes for a nicer cut and quicker work.
However, if you have something like an orchard and you want to keep the grass down while knocking down the occasional small bush and you want it to look very good (say you have pick your own) after you're done, you may want to consider the flail mower (my favorite .... grew up on a farm/orchard/vineyard with one but can't justify one at this point).
I happen to be quite pleased with my 6' rotary cutter because it is an excellent all purpose cutting attachment. I manage about 10 acres with it annually (that's a pretty big chunk) and it does a very nice job. I just purchased a new one this year (my old one fell apart).... someone made a comment about keeping rotary cutter blades sharp but I've come to learn that it's best to purchase new ones (personally, never had to do either and I have knocked down a lot of brush).