Rotary Cutter Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog?

   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #11  
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog?
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#12  
Thanks again, good points and yes I opened all links. It will probably be the shipping and not the price that will de-rail the idea if anything does. In this instance still see the US products as far better value for money and attachments that appear as though they are built for the job rather than the European made ones, but could of course be wrong.

I've made a couple of enquiries about shipping, will wait and see.
 
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #13  
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #14  

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   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #15  
I once shipped a BMW motorcycle from Lima, Peru, to Mexico City. To my surprise, AIR FREIGHT was cheaper than sea transportation.
 
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #16  
It might help to tell us what tractor you have. You said a 35HP kubota.....but your avatar lists a 16hp B7100.

AS to the term, for all-intents-and-purposes, rotary cutter and bushhog are one in the same. While technically though....bushhog is the brand, and rotary cutter is what it is.

No different than calling
and adjustable wrench a crescent wrench
slip joint pliers being called channelocks
locking pliers being called vice grips
hex keys being called allen wrenches
etc etc.

Regarding light vs medium vs heavy duty.....

They will all clip pasture grass well. Meduim and heavy duty cutters are made with bigger heavier blades and gearboxes, and thicker metal. So they will stand up to occasionally hitting a rock, or mowing over some tree saplings alot better. But they cost more....

The horsepower required to run the cutter dont care weather its a heavy duty cutter with thicker metal, or a light cutter. What you are cutting and how fast you go is gonna determine the HP required.

Reason why I ask what tractor you have, is because you are asking about a pretty broad range of cutters. And in a pretty broad range of tractor sizes just saying a 35HP kubota. A light 5' cutter can be down a round 450-500 pounds. And a heavy 6' can go north of 1400 pounds. And Your could be a 2200# 2wd machine, or you could have a 3400# 4wd machine with loader.

A medium duty ~900-1000# cutter on the lighter end of the 35hp tractors isnt gonna work well without a front loader, or front weights. Where as it would be handled just find on the heavy end of kubotas 35hp tractors.
 
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #17  
It would be silly to ship a rotary mower from the US to Europe. European equivalent mowers are flail mowers which can cut any grass and small brush that a rotary mower can cut. Yes, a heavy duty bush hog on a powerful tractor will cut bigger trees and tolerate hitting rocks a bit better but for a three year overgrown pasture a flail mower will do a much better job. Rotary mowers are not popular in Europe because there is little land that is abandoned for decades. Three years between mowings does not require a bush hog or slasher to clear.

There are multiple flail mower manufacturers in Europe, oddly most are in northern Italy, and we actually import a good percentage of the flail mowers sold here in the US from Italy. Caroni is one company. I own a Caroni TM1900 flail that is used for exactly the type of mowing the OP described. Great machine. Much safer than a rotary mower and much better cut. Flail mowers come in both finish and rough cut versions. For mowing pastures you'd want a rough cut type. Finish flails are for lawns, golf courses and athletic fields
 
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #18  
Not saying flails dont have their place, but if one is considering them, I encourage them do do as much reading as possible before deciding. Sure, flails "can" cut better. But require more HP, slower going, more expensive to buy, and higher maintenance.
 
   / Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog? #19  
LD1 said:
Not saying flails dont have their place, but if one is considering them, I encourage them do do as much reading as possible before deciding. Sure, flails "can" cut better. But require more HP, slower going, more expensive to buy, and higher maintenance.
Click to expand...
Yes there are pros and cons. However, a flail in Europe would be much cheaper than an imported rotary. Medium duty rotary from good company costs about $2000 which is exactly the cost of a medium duty rough flail. Flails don't really require more HP. Slower cutting speed only if you want finish like cut otherwise operator comfort is the limiting factor in light to medium grass. Tall and thick grass will slow down either mower. Definitely higher maintenance for flail as bearings need grease every day but that is a three minute task. Changing or replacing lost knives on a flail occasionally is certainly something that is almost never needed with rotary.

Rotary mowers are simply not that popular in Europe. Gotta believe there is a good reason. Safety is my guess as rotary mowers are much more dangerous when used near people or structures or vehicles. Rotary mowers got their start in the US where agricultural areas are often more remote from human habitation than in Europe.
 
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