Bush Hog vs Woods vs.....?

[cold1313]

Finally measured the rear wheel width on my new MX5800. Looks like I'm around 81" at a minimum, so I can go with an 84".

I was a tad surprised on the cost of the units below - I found them a couple hundred cheaper but I had these numbers written down from one local shop.

84" rotary cutters, slip clutch:

Bush Hog BH17 - $3,650
Woods BB84X - $3,900
Brand XYZ??? - $?,???

(I believe this is all without chains.)

Looking at the spec's, they are pretty much the same - I think the Woods is 11ga deck vs 10ga deck on the BH. More focused on tail wheel design at this point.

Either way, I think these are pretty stout units and I won't be using them much in a year.

 

[lpigott]

I would stay with a nice HD 72" model myself.

 

[LD1]

2" cutting capacity and ~1000# for a 7' single spindle......neither I would consider an HD cutter. More like medium duty.

Which may be just fine.....but what do you intend to cut with it and how often? IF you are frequently mowing a pasture......either would be fine. IF you plan on mowing down land that has sat untouched for 5-6 years.....I'd want something with a little more heft.

If just doing pasture maintenance.....have you considered an 8' twin spindle cutter?

 

[oosik]

I've been checking cutters for a couple years. Maybe one of these days......

JMHO, but - I would go down in cutting width and up in structural strength. I have a 2009 Kubota M6040 - 64 hp - I'm thinking something like a Brown 415 cutter. I could easily handle the Brown 416 or 417 but, and that's a big but - I really don't want that much weight or such a big structure out back swinging around as I'm trying to dodge around trees, rock, stumps etc. I'm more than willing to accept the fact that the rear tires are going to stomp down some grass/brush that I may not catch with a narrow mower. I simply like the FACT - if my big 'ol rear tires will clear the object, be it rock, tree or dirt mound, most likely so will a 60" cutter.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Maybe something like this? Titan 8' Dual Spindle Medium/Heavy Cutter (17 Series) - O'Bryan's Farm Equipment, LLC | Bardstown, KY

 

[cold1313]

I was liking the idea of a 72” originally as well. My hesitation is that I would use this mower to mow around my pond. It’s a natural pond and the banks are too steep to get remotely close to the water, so a shorter cutter would mean I’d lose another 6” from where I am comfortable mowing now. (With my B3200 last year with a 72” Woods Finishing Mower)

All I will be cutting with this is grass and whatever weeds pop up. Last year I was mowing part of the area with my F3990 – there are no rocks, stumps, small trees etc to worry about. I do not want to mow it with my F3990 because I try to cut that area only every 1 -2 months, depending on the weather. If the ground is soft – I can’t mow because of the slope – the ground will just give out and start the slide. Last year because of rainy weather, I went longer than 2 months and was probably mowing 5 – 6 ft tall vegetation. I knocked it down with my F3990 in 2 or 3 passes – the F3990 is like a goat, very nice on slopes.

The amount of land is minimal, so I do not need a large cutter or a bullet proof one (i.e. I’m not making trails in the woods, etc). Strictly maintenance. I was looking strongly at an offset cutter or flail but that seems to automatically add another $2,000 (minimum) to the price tag – hard to justify that.

 

[big bubba]

agree with those who suggest 72" cutter a 7' hog is unusual. usually people jump from a 6' to an 8' twin spindle. once owned an mx5000 and would not consider a 7' esp around the pond banks.

for your own safety, get a heavy duty walk behind mower for that, works like a charm for me. to me a 6' heavy duty model would be my choice. imho trying to squeeze and extra 6" for the slopes is asking for trouble on a mid compact tractor like the mx series best of luck, stay safe :thumbsup:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

All I can tell you is, Woods is the cutter that you hear LESS about problems with, than the other brands in this price range, especially when it comes to the gear box...

In the price range you are looking, for MY money the Woods Brush Bull IS the best rotary cutter...

We have two Woods cutters and both have been very reliable...

SR

 

[oosik]

Just reading your statement - getting close to the edge, it makes me shiver. If I got too close to the edge on my little lake - its a 40' drop, off the basaltic lava cliffs before I would hit the water. I couldn't care less about what grows on the edges of my little lake - I make a conscious point to stay back at least 100' from the edges with ANY mechanical device.

View attachment 538013


Looks cold this time of year - it is........

 

[cold1313]

I'm being safe as possible, I should have clarified the the 'edge' that I mow to is where I feel comfortable on the machine. Anything past that, I don't feel comfortable and don't bother with.

Sawyer - I've only owned Woods equipment in the past, Brush Hog isn't terribly common around here - I've only been able to find one Bush Hog dealer - so I have a comparison. I've had no issues with my previous Woods equipment but I thought it never hurts to look....especially during the winter when I'm not using the equipment anyway.