Opinions on the Scorpion Mower

[Iplayfarmer]

I've still got a few months before I'll see anything to mow, so I've got time to compare, contrast, and research before buying a rotary cutter (or other mower if that's what I come up with)

I came accross the J-bar Scorpion rotary cutter. The cutter is at the bottom of the linked page. As near as I can tell it's a rotary cutter with four swinging blades rather than two.

Has anyone had any experience or have any opinions with this type of mower? Will it still cut thick brush? Does it really leave things looking better than standard rough cut mowers?

Also, are there other companies that make mowers like this?

[MrSteve]

Looks as if it could be a nice mower, but wow that thing has to be in the #1000+ range

[kayssupply]

I sold JBar far a while. Had a very high rate of warranty repairs. Too many for me. I went to Caroni, not one warranty repair. However, I have no experience with that model.

[Iplayfarmer]

<font color="blue"> Looks as if it could be a nice mower, but wow that thing has to be in the #1000+ range </font>

On the contrary. It is comparable in price with what i have found other "standard" rotary cutters for locally.

See this link.

I was afraid that I would hear about "warranty repairs" etc. It just sounds too good to be true. I like the weight spec too, but the deck is 14 guage steel. This is the thinest I've seen of any deck as I've been looking around.

How big of a deal is deck thickness anyway? The Rankin guys talk like it's the difference between trash and treasure, but that might just be because they have the thickest decks.

[LMTC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Has anyone had any experience or have any opinions with this type of mower? )</font>
Yes.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Will it still cut thick brush? )</font>
Yes, while it still works.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does it really leave things looking better than standard rough cut mowers? )</font>
Do you mean grass? It's hard to imagine how thick brush can look any better or worse with one cutter or another.

Unless you run across a dealer in need of cash flow or grossly overstocked (as in our current pricing on Sitrex mowers), you get what you pay for. If there were any true overwhelming bargains out there many, if not most, dealers would be on to it. If you are going to use this regularly and hard, there are better choices.

[Iplayfarmer]

<font color="blue"> If there were any true overwhelming bargains out there many, if not most, dealers would be on to it. </font>

Here's what's bugging me... It seems like there are fair quality rotary cutters all around for right about $600 except within 200 miles of where I live. The cheapest I've found is over $800, and I'm not so sure that it's really that great of a cutter. Most of what I am finding is about $1000 (+/-) for a normal two blade rotary cutter with a single laminated wheel, 12 guage deck, and a 40 hp gearbox. I've called as far South as Salt Lake City, and everyone's stuff seems overpriced based I what I've seen on TBN and looking around on the internet.

I've hit up a few used equipment dealers and they all have plenty of used rotary cutters, but none smaller than a 5 foot. I'm pretty sure that a 5 foot would overwhelm my little 18hp.

I've looked at wallace, Howse, Rankin, Bush Hog, King Kutter, Worksaver, and others.

I don't know that any of this matters to any of you. I guess I'm just off on a rant.

[LMTC]

If "everyone's" stuff is overpriced then someone is missing a golden opportunity. Why not come up with venture capital and start bringing in and selling implements? You have the option to drive to the lower prices. Dealers in your area have no obligation to match the prices of another area where all sorts of factors (taxes, wages, freight, etc) are likely different. If you are unwilling, or find it not reasonable, to drive to the lower prices, why would you think it reasonable, or even profitable, for a business to bring these items to your area at those lower prices?

You began by asking for input from those who have had experience with a specific item. I'm not quite sure where or why this changed, but I have no further input.

[Iplayfarmer]

<font color="blue"> You began by asking for input from those who have had experience with a specific item. I'm not quite sure where or why this changed...
</font>

First, thanks for your comments, LMTC. You helped bring me back down off my rant.

I think what changed is I realized the truth of what you were saying in an earlier reply... <font color="blue"> "there are better choices" </font> ...and so I'm on to looking for those better choices. I guess it might have been better in a new post.

You're probably right again that it's just a matter of taxes, wages, freight, etc. in this area that keep the prices where they're at. Even the prices on the scorpion are 20% more than I've found posted for other areas of the country.

I may just take your advice and start selling implements some day, but I'll do a lot of research first.

One more question, though, specific to the scorpion... Do you think it's the actual design that makes it a poor choice (i.e. the four wheels and four blades) or the manufacturing/workmanship?

[JINMA224XR]

I came accross the J-bar Scorpion rotary cutter. The cutter is at the bottom of the linked page. As near as I can tell it's a rotary cutter with four swinging blades rather than two.

Has anyone had any experience or have any opinions with this type of mower? Will it still cut thick brush? Does it really leave things looking better than standard rough cut mowers?

Back to IPlayFarmers Original Question:

I'm also interested in this Cutter,, so does anybody out their have any Experience With "This Cutter"????

This unit appears to be somewhere between a Finishing Mower,, and a regular brush hog.

I'm particularly interested in the "4 Blade Unit",, and if the Blades are mounted as Stump Jumpers.

It looks to me,, like this unit might do an acceptable job on mowing the Yard,, as well as taking on light duty Brush Cutting as well,, but haven't seen one in person,, or seen the underside,, which I would need to do,, prior to actually making the purchase.. However,, a 40 hp gearbox,, is what I am looking to get,, for my tractor.

Have a nice day,
Joe

[AlanB]

There is one that is used to mow our church. It is used by a variety of different folks, and certainly not always treated the kindest, so, that is either a good or bad test depending on view.

It has literally been beat to pieces. I believe all the wheel mounts have been rewelded braced etc. last time I look all the original wheel units where sitting behind the church and I did not see the mower, so I am not really sure what has happened at this point.

I have looked at them, looked under them, and been around them but have not run it personally, but it was not a tool that I would buy.