Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at...

   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #1  

Sysop

Elite Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Messages
3,316
Location
Fairmont, WV
Tractor
Mahindra 4035HST purchased 2013 - Husqvarna TS348-D purchased 2019 - Craftsman 42" HST purchased 2003
Waiting on work to catch up with me, I get to spend a fair amount of time in front of a PC twiddling my thumbs. Stuff like TBN and YouTube are among the various thumb twiddling methods I use to stay relatively sane. Twiddling around on youtube a relatively new video (posted about a month ago) "Mahindra Rotary Cutter Challenge" video came up. It got my attention some because I purchased their standard duty cutter when I purchased my tractor. I'd looked around at other 5 and 6 foot cutters on other lots. They were all so similar it was difficult to weigh in my decision. The Mahindra cutter, at least to my eye, seemed as well built as most other cutters, and in some other ways was definitely better than some others. I'd researched it before the purchase, the cutters Mahindra sells are made by Kodiak, so I figure this video applies to any of the cutters made by Kodiak.

Either way they point out a lot of features and things to look at and consider when making a choice on a rotary cutter this size, so I figured it might be a helpful post for some readers.

 
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   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #2  
The video broke
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at...
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Maybe a link will work better for you. TRY THIS
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #4  
Works for me, watching it now.

Thanks for posting it!
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #5  
This is an excellent video.

I just finished two weeks of self education on rotary cutters before purchasing another brand. Had I seen this video before I started my search, I would have saved some time. I visited MANY dealers and came to several of the conclusions pointed out on this video. Had I been shopping for an economy cutter I hope I would have settled upon the Mahindra. Probably a solid little deck for many people.

Thanks for sharing.
 
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   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #6  
I have the 6' medium heavy duty roundback rotary cutter and I am not very fond of it. The design and engineering are not the best in my opinion. I backed into a small stump about 4" diameter by accident and it buckled the deck. The HD skirt did not bend, however, the way the deck is braced it buckled. My cutter is branded Kodiak, but the owner's manual is Mahindra. Also, the design of the lift allows the hinge bar to get into the driveline safety cover if you have a steep mound to mow over. The cutter is heavy at 815 lbs., but leaves a lot to be desired. It is a tough gearbox and will mow over pretty much anything you can push down. I managed to straighten the deck and weld some bracing to repair the damage, but the skirt should bend before the deck buckles. I, in all honesty cannot recommend this mower. I bought it earlier this year and would gladly sell it if anyone is interested for basically half the price I paid for it.
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at...
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I wasn't recommending Kodiak nor Mahindra, I just thought the video made some nice observations about how various standard duty models are put together. I thought it would help first time buyers know what they're looking at.

That sucks you damaged your Medium Duty cutter like that. Personally, with having the potential of hitting 4" stumps I'd think you'd need among heaviest of heavy duty cutters to not see damage. I've not seen the medium duty lift hinge, that does sound like a bad design. Maybe you could post a picture so future readers know what to avoid?
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #8  
IMG_8644-1a.jpgIMG_8644-1a.jpgIMG_8638-1.jpg
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at... #9  
I didn't take a picture of the rear of the cutter skirt, but there is no damage to it from impacting the stump. Here is a better image of how the lift arm on the mower frame works and if you run over a hillock or some other change in terrain the hinge lift arm can contact the driveline housing.

IMG_8643-1.jpg
 
   / Rotary Cutter buying tips - some of the things to look at...
  • Thread Starter
#10  
That joint is upside down is why. Someone put that unit together wrong. Note in this capture I've attached below from that video how that joint should flex up and away from the driveline. If the unit was assembled by a dealer, I'd complain to Kodiak and the dealer and have them make it right. If the assembly was left up to you the buyer, I'm not sure if they would do much to help. You did say you got it straightened and working again, so perhaps just correcting the assembly will help prevent future damages.

Capture.PNG
 
 
 
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