Rotary Cutter Pull Behind Rotary Cutter - Pros/Cons/Dangerous

[jpierce]

Having just purchased a Kioti CK30 HST, I have been looking for a brush hog to use around my 40 acres to mow paths to walk/run on. Locally, a gentleman has a 5' rotary cutter for $150, but it is a pull behind one with PTO attachment, two wheels. It has been repainted, so I cannot identify the brand. I am not familiar with non-3pt equipment, so I am looking at the experts here to help me out!! Just don't want to ruin a $15,000 tractor with a $150 implement. However, the price sure is nice ;')

Pros - Cheap!! 5' would be what I am looking for??

Cons - ??

Dangers??


***UPDATED WITH PICS I JUST TOOK **

 

[BB_TX]

Con - the primary CON is that it is basically a trailer with the typical trailer backing problems. If all you ever did was go forward then it would be no problem. But if you are like me, I often back into tight spots or back into heavy brush instead of driving directly into it. That would be more difficult with a pull behind.
PRO - I haven't used one, but I am guessing that you would get a more level cut since it would be riding on its own two wheels. This would especially be true if you had very uneven ground, terraces, berms, etc.
Danger - only danger I see would again be in backing and having it turn too sharp and hit your rear wheels.

 

[Bird]

I'd say buy it! I've never personally used the pull behind type, but a neighbor had a 7' one with the 2 wheels on the back. I assume the one you're considering has a manual crank type adjustment to raise and lower the height? I certainly wouldn't worry about it hurting the tractor as long as you don't turn too sharply to get it into a rear wheel or put too sharp an angle on the PTO driveshaft.

 

[edski]

Rotary cutters/brush hogs aren't much more than two free swinging slabs of steel under a deck. 5' is very manageable, $150 is very reasonable (in working condition), paint and brand don't matter at $150. I've never seen a brush hog that wasn't tow-behind, PTO driven. Bigger ones may have 4 wheels (and hydraulics for travel), but 5' and 2 wheels sounds right.

If it runs, the zerks have grease, and the gearbox has oil...you're prolly set. Mine has been beaten like a rented mule and is still worth $150.

Good luck, cut those trails, and enjoy.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Does this mower hook up to the 3pt hitch, or is it strictly a pull behind that attaches at the drawbar?
Most pull behinds that I've seen have their own motor, not using the PTO.
If it hooks to the hitch, then you don't have quite the problem of backing as you would with the strict pull behind.
Sounds like it might be an old Woods cutter.
John

 

[beenthere]

I used to have a pull behind, PTO (Sunbeam was the name, out of Olatha, KS I think) rotary cutter. It was a great, heavy duty rotary cutter. It had two gage wheels. However, I converted it to a 3pt lift, just because too many times when a stone was encountered or a dirt rise, or thick brush, that lifting the cutter was desired.

Not anymore dangerous than a 3pt variety, IMO. And before 3pt., everything was pull behind. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Soundguy]

I'm guessing your machine may tote a 6' hog.. and for 40ac of mowing.. I'd want the extra foot.. however.. 150$ for a 5' is a sweet deal.

The others already touched on the towing issues.

For you other guys out there that weren't aware.. they do make 3pt equipment with dual tail wheels.

Soudguy

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Con - the primary CON is that it is basically a trailer with the typical trailer backing problems. </font>

You call this a CON? You can back a pull-type in places alot easier than with a 3-pt. Ask a truck driver what's easier to back in places -- a semi-trailer (pull behind), or a greyhound bus (3-pt)?

 

[beenthere]

Your analogy is a bit confusing, and I won't try to decipher it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I would say I can back a two wheel trailer, and can back a four wheel wagon. Even could back a four wheel wagon behind a two wheel hay baler with a tractor, no power steering. But I digress.

I know I can spot the rotary cutter where I want to back into brush to cut, much easier than I could spot the trailer-type rotary cutter. But it still can be done.

Never have tried the 3pt greyhound bus though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JoeinTX]

For $150, go for it. If you don't like it, you can get your money out of it real quick. If you do, that is some some cheap hardware. I bought a used 5' pull shredder last year for $175. Great little unit and I thought for the price I couldn't go wrong. But, my use for it changed and I had to get a 3-pt shredder to replace it.

They each have their place. Pull-type is great for field use where there is no need to do anything but go in circles. Of course, the three point is handier.