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

jpierce · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

Con - the primary CON is that it is basically a trailer with the typical trailer backing problems. 

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 · May 10, 2005

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 · May 10, 2005

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.

Gatorboy · May 10, 2005

( Your analogy is a bit confusing, and I won't try to decipher it. ) 

A greyhound bus is one long machine with no pivot point, just like a 3-pt mower would be by adding it to your tractor. I've only used pull-type mowers -- I think the 3-pt mowers are more dangerous. Can you run along a fence line and then turn away without worrying about hitting the fence with a 3-pt?

Soundguy · May 10, 2005

You call this a CON? You can back a pull-type in places alot easier than with a 3-pt. 

With respect.. that logic seems to be faulty. With the 3pt as an integral and rigid part of the tractor, by default, it will go exactly behind the tractor, no matter what.. no need to look back.. etc.. On a pull behind.. terain differences will make a huge difference.. for example, a rock, or hill on the side of a drag-style's tire, may make it go in a wrong direction / angle.

That said.. anyone who can back in a trailer should be able to back in a drag mower,, yet.. for 100% percision, like backing between two narrow buildings.. I'll take a 3pt any day.. no need to worry about it getting out of sorts and then turning on you.. etc.

The bus analogy seems to indicate that a mower doubles or triples the length of the tractor.. this doesn't sound right.. For instance.. my 10' width mower is still only about 6.5' deep.. and that doesn't do much to the turn clearance of my NH 7610s..

Soundguy

johan3400 · May 10, 2005

I have a woods 3pt and a bush hog tow type and like them both. I just go slower and more careful when I am backing the tow type. $150 is a good deal, I would go for it.

BB_TX · May 10, 2005

There are pull behind types with 2 wheels on the rear. There are also pull behind types with 2 wheels, one on each side of the deck. Older style I think. You didn't say which it is. If the wheels are on the sides, that would limit how close you can mow to a fence, building, tree, etc.
I guess I am trailer deficient since I could never back a pull behind as fast or as accurate as I can back my 3pt.

thcri · May 10, 2005

Welll, I will through my 2 cents in here. As far as the pull type. I actually would prefer it. My uncle a long time ago had one with a PTO and it also had a hydraulic cylinder on it for raising and lowering. Each wheel had a screw type jack on it for setting the height you wanted to mow at but in case you see a rock you could lift it by the hydraulics. I wished someone made a finish mower this way as I would buy one in a heartbeat. This type would out do any 3pt or mmm finish mower. You could do a lot more with it a lot faster.

As far as backing up, one would think that the 3 point would be easier and for most instances it would be, but I really think if you had to get around something and then back in or back in a 90 degree spot the pull type would be easier. That's just me from my experience with trailers and trucks.

murph

N9PDL · May 10, 2005

I have an old pull behind type that I brought back from the dead. It was a "BMB" brand and I had it sandblasted, I painted it (now JD Green of course!), installed new wheel bearings, and changed the gearbox oil. It works like a charm. I grew up using this type of cutter and I prefer it for MOST work. The only time it is not handy is when you will be doing a lot of sharp turning. The U-Joints on the drive shaft will start to make noise if you turn too sharp. Otherwise, it does not scalp the ground like the 3 PT kind do when you drive in a small dip. It cuts very well. Also, it doesn't seem to put as much wear and tear on your tractor because you don't have all of that weight hanging on your 3 PT hitch. I mow some VERY steep (OSHA would not approve) hills on my property and I feel more comfortable doing it with a pull-behind.

It basically boils down to your preferences, but if you are going to be doing a lot of open field mowing with it I think you will be happier with the pull-behind type. One of these days I'll take some pics of my "John Deere" pull behind and post them on here....

thegreatrandini · May 10, 2005

I agree with you.... Pull type should be great for open mowing... He could always pick up a 3pt model later and have both......

jpierce · May 10, 2005

Updated with pics (see original post)

- Here is the serial tag (can't tell type)

Any guesses??

thcri · May 10, 2005

Take a picture of the unit. It would be great to see an old unit still in service.

murph

KiotiJohn · May 10, 2005

( Updated with pics (see original post)

- Here is the serial tag (can't tell type )
Looks as though it says manufactured by MONO MFG Co. S.A.
S.A. in Mexico is a designation of a private company much like INC. is here. I wonder if it's made in Mexico or another part of Latin America. Of course, the S.A. in this case could simply mean South America, but I'm not inclined to think so.
It's sure not a brand I'm familiar with.
John