Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter opinion

[Troy70]

I know this has probably been discussed many times on here, but, I am a new member and have not had time to read through all the posts. I am in the market for a rotary cutter. I have narrowed my search down to two models, the Brown 416 and the Bushhog BH26. For the most part, won't be cutting anything big. Will be used for general purpose mowing around barns, between pine tree rows (nothing over 1-2" ), maybe an occasional food plot.. Opinions please.....

 

[smstonypoint]

I don't think you will go wrong with either model. The Brown is heavier (1205 lbs) than the BH (1095 lbs) due in part to its thicker deck (7 versus 10 gauge). All else constant, I would go for the thicker deck. What's the difference in price?

Steve

 

[Troy70]

Exact same price...wonder I like the 7 ga deck better, but, I like the smooth top on the Bushhog..after reading on here, I see where some mowers have smooth underside..never thought of that. I wonder if the Brown has smooth underside/bracing on top and if the Bushhog has smooth top/bracing on underside??

 

[oosik]

I've done a lot of research on rotary cutters and would buy a Brown Mfg in a heart beat if there was a dealer anywhere close. I just think with its heavier build the Brown would stand up longer. I've yet to buy anything - I borrow a neighbors and because I mow rocks too - I've bought him a new set of blades. The 416 is the one I've always considered for my use.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Exact same price...wonder I like the 7 ga deck better, but, I like the smooth top on the Bushhog..after reading on here, I see where some mowers have smooth underside..never thought of that. I wonder if the Brown has smooth underside/bracing on top and if the Bushhog has smooth top/bracing on underside??

These are very good points to consider on bracing. Bracing is very important when the deck encounters anything substantial ... like a tree near ground, or other "fixed" object. Crumples are debilitating and horrible to fix. When bracing is not shown you need to be satisfied that it is strategically deployed underneath.
,,,,Both of these are rather heavy. From my long experience with an old JD 5' Gyramor weighing 600# and rated for 4" trees, my only conclusion is theyve used lo strength steel in the chassis and/or are using the metal inefficiently. That can be OK if you can handle the weight, but the versatility of being able to use the bushog on a smaller tractor is lost.

Unfortunately, you wont find a robust 600# bushog available today. Finesse in design for strength seems to have been supplanted by using a lot more metal.
larry

 

[HEC]

I don't know about the brown but it sounds like a very good unit . I have had a bush hog squealer for over 20 years now and it still works great . I don't cut 2 inch stuff with it but hit rocks once in awhile . I have a hundred acres with fields and woods so it gets a fair amount of use . If the gear boxes are rated the same or the brown has a better rating I would go for the brown as for the heavier deck . My deck does have a few dents .

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Exact same price...wonder I like the 7 ga deck better, but, I like the smooth top on the Bushhog..after reading on here, I see where some mowers have smooth underside..never thought of that. I wonder if the Brown has smooth underside/bracing on top and if the Bushhog has smooth top/bracing on underside??

That's why I bought a Rhino 172 - because it has the bracing on top and the underside is smooth. Fewer places for cuttings to cake up. It's easy enough to blow off the top of it when I'm done cutting.

Both of them use a 130hp heavy duty gearbox. I might favor the Brown because of their reputation for building a bullet-proof beast of a mower. But Bush Hog has a wider dealer network for buying parts. So, it would be a coin toss for me. Hard to go wrong with either one of them.

If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the Brown or the BH for no other reason than both of them have a metal bolt-on shield that can be flipped up or removed to service the slip clutch. After wrestling with those cheap plastic gearbox shields that Rhino and everybody else uses, I'd buy the Brown or BH. I know that's stupid, but I'm serious.

 

[Piston]

I have the former version of the Brown 416, which is called the 472. I can wholeheartedly recommend The Brown units. I honestly think you'd be more than happy with either cutter you choose, but I will recommend Brown.

I bought my cutter used from a friend. He was using it behind a NH TD80 farm tractor that is close to 7' wide. He wanted something to over his tracks and looked all over for the 7' Brown unit but couldn't find one used. He ended up with a Bush Hog 284 I believe is the model number. He does like it but still tells me to this day he misses his old Brown unit.

I have spoken with, and emailed back and forth between, the Brown company. They are extremely helpful and if you pick up the phone with questions they will help you out right from the main business. I recently spoke at length with them regarding their new Tree Saw, and I am always impressed with their willingness to chat with the customer and give information.

Typically the Brown units are more expensive than the Bush Hog, so if you can find them at a similar price, I see no reason not to go with the Brown.

FYI, I mow everything BUT field grass. I've mowed over all sorts of things and I don't take it easy on my mower. It is an incredible mower.
(I should mention that I don't have personal experience with a Bush Hog mower so I can't give you a truly accurate comparison)


One negative I will say about Brown though, is that they finally followed suit with every other company in the industry and stopped putting American made gearboxes on these cutters. Unfortunately, it was far too expensive to remain competitive in the market for them to continue doing so. They do still use American made gearboxes on the 6XX series and the tree cutters however.

If you want the best 6' rotary cutter money can buy, go with the Brown 672! Just be prepared to work some overtime to pay for it!

 

[oosik]

I too droooool over the Brown units. Right now with the info I have - I would have to buy the 416. I have a little over the min hp required for the 672HD but my OP manual says 1200 lb max for rotary cutters and it weighs 1720 lb. If there were a dealer anywhere near I could get some first hand advise on purchase of the 672. And you are so right - I'd have to get pretty inventive to purchase the bigger unit. Its probably for the better that there isn't a nearby dealer - I'll have to build an additional storage shed if I get just one more implement or figure out some kind of "stacking" method.

 

[Troy70]

Thanks guys for your input. I've been looking at these for over a year now and had made up my mind on the Brown. Then, a dealer mentioned and told me about the smooth top on the Bush Hog. I'm still leaning back towards the Brown. Found a dealer close by with a Brown 416 that they mowed around their lot with...maybe one time..paint is not even scratched. Said he would sell it for about $300 cheaper than the cheapest price I found on the Brown.

Next question, I have a 6ft Howse that the brace/spindle sleeve has busted. I'm sure a good welder can fix it (provided they could balance it), but, has anyone on here ever replace the stump jumper on one???????? Wondering the cost????