Finish or Rotary?? - Again

   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #31  
My point is that after using a finish mower out in the pasture, even a stout unit like you have, and then you want to cut a beautifully manicured lawn, I would think you would want to touch up the blades after hitting a rock or two and some small saplings ? JMO ! ;)
And you're completely entitled to it. But consider that my posts in this thread have been composed around the OP request for advice on mowing a pasture. Just so happens the only thing I use my finish mower for IS pasture grooming, so I never envisioned myself trying tomanicure a lawn with it. You'd need a helluva big lawn for a seven footer anyway.

Besides, I'm still waiting to find out if the OP tractor can even handle a GM35-84. My comments only address that finish mower - and only that finish mower - relative to pasture grooming. I'm not addressing lawns mowing at all. If he can't handle (or afford) a GM35-84, then my job here is done

Now if the OP changes his requirement to a multi-purpose machine, then it's appropriate to take a 2nd look.

//greg//

edit: I noticed your "thingy" signature line. I wonder what happened to that old reprobate?
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #32  
'Scuse me, but you just contradicted yourself within your own post. This thread is about a fella who wants to know whether to buy a rotary cutter or a finish mower for pasture maintenance. I described the end result desired in maintaining a rotary cutter blade for just that purpose; specifically, it should be "left with a blunt leading edge of at least 1/8" thickness".

You call that ridiculous, yet go on to state "A bush hog blade intended to be used in conditions typical for a bush hog SHOULD be ground slightly blunt." So how does that make my statement ridiculous, and yours correct?

Sure you can get closer to a normal life from a rotary cutter blade sharpened to a knife edge - IF - if it's not subjected to anything more abusive than a typical lawn. But the OP is talking pasture, and I responded to the knife edge claim from the perspective of pasture.

But go ahead - sharpen that sucker good enough to shave with. Then tell me what your first five words might be - immediately after hitting three fist-sized rocks and a hidden T-post. So let's try to avoid mixing the apples with the oranges here - ok?

//greg//


No contradiction, just a lack of reading comprehension skills on your part apparently. YOU, in a reply to someone suggesting sharpening a bush hog blade to use in a simular manner as a lawn mower blade on a finish mower, said it would diminish the bush hog blade's life expectancy, and the implication is that the finish mower blade ISN'T vulnerable in the same conditions. Just not so in a case where the two would be used for the exact same purpose under the exact same conditions, which as described is mowing a pasture. Not at all difficult to understand. YOU were the one who wanted to mix apples and oranges, just so your "apple" would APPEAR to be the only choice.

Subject both a finish mower blade sharpened to normal edge, and a bush hog blade sharpened to the SAME EDGE, and the bush hog blade wouldn't be any more vulnerable than the finish mower blade and likely MORE able to resist damage simply because it's a much heavier built item.

Just because you don't understand something doesn't make it wrong. It simply means you just don't understand.
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #33  
Ok, that's the answer I expected. It explains your "cutting edge" philosophy. But do you really think the knife-edge is also appropriate for rough cutting out in a pasture? Clearing brush? Mowing through roadside litter?

//greg//


Is a knife edge appropriate for rough cutting? Probably not. Is a sharpened bush hog blade used along side of a lawn mower style blade with a sharp edge any more (or less) vulnerable? Absolutely not. Again, you're selling oranges out of your apple cart.
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #34  
I have the same finish mower that Greg has, GM35-84 and the blades are no where even close to a lawn mower blade. If I remember right, there .250" thick (1/4"). I cant see where you can compare that to a lawn mower blade.

Compair that to a rotary mower that has 3/8 to 1/2" blades...

The blades on my murray rider mower are exactly 3/16 metal.. that's awfull close to 1/4 ;)

soundguy
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #35  
Ok, that's the answer I expected. It explains your "cutting edge" philosophy. But do you really think the knife-edge is also appropriate for rough cutting out in a pasture? Clearing brush? Mowing through roadside litter?

//greg//

I've already answered that more than once, above.

My point is, a RC can double as a RFM by sharpening the blades like a RFM. The RC is more versatile, and lower maintenance. An RFM can't really double as a brush cutter, though both the units I have used have a massive gear box, shaft, bearings, and heavy blades.

For mowing pasture, the only benefit to a RFM is, a given tractor can pull a wider unit. Depending on the amount of land, that can be very important to the land owner, or not. I have 10a, and mow about 7a of it. I've mowed the entire 7a many times with both an RC and 2 different RFM's. I'm much happier with the RC. YMMV!
 
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   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #36  
After deciding on a Bush Hog Squealer SQ172 I suffered sticker shock when the best deal I could find was $1750 +Tax. Granted that was new and included chains and slip-clutch, but I was not planning on spending $2000 to cut grass. I was set to pay this and be happy and then I find a slightly used Bush Hog 72" FM for $1100 dollars. Now I'm not cheap and always buy the best I can afford but $900 is allot of beer. So let me drag this one around the yard again.

8-acres, rolling hills and clumps of grass, nothing over 3/4", I believe the finish mower would cut fine as I have used my 38" lawn tractor to cut about 1-acre without any major problems. My biggest concern is the wear and tear of the FM mower bouncing over the rough terrain. I have no doubt my lawn tractor would break an axle or two with continued used. Cutting speed is also a consideration as I would like to cut at least 2-acres/hour. Look at the picture and give me your thoughts. TIA

With a 6 foot implement and 75% efficiency, you are looking at 3.66 MPH or thereabouts to achieve 2ac/hr. Your concerns about RFM wheels, axles and yokes are valid. Unless your pastures are golf fairways, a BH RFM won't hack it at that speed. A Woods RM990 is wider, has swinging blades, and would be great for that application if you have the coin and HP. Otherwise, I'm with the guys who are steering you towards a Rotary Cutter.
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #37  
I have used both FM and rotary mower on my hillside acerage. If the rc is sharp you get a great cut.

The FM is less durable and more expensive so on more then 5 acres I would use the RC 90% of the time.
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again
  • Thread Starter
#38  
Thanks to all for your replies, I was out at the property last weekend and was able to see much more of the terrain since the winter kill and came to the decision it would be just too rough for a FM. Hopefully I will still be able to buy the new (last years) Bush Hog SQ172 for $2000. With no intent to start another debate, let me comment on a few of the posts.
-I had already determined my JD 3720 44HP 36PTO was enough to pull a 72 mower so I did not include this information
-I appreciate being reminded that life expectancy should always be included in the total cost of a purchase
-It is curious most of the FMs I have researched have thicker decks then comparable RCs so I guess the fact they are supporting their entire weight takes its toll
-I have not heard one bad word from any poster on TBN about the Bush Hog Squealer which makes me feel much better about my decision
-I do not want a manicured look for most of the property and plan on cutting height of 6-12 so another plus for the RC
-I originally wanted a flail mower but initial costs and availability changed my mind
-I have about 2000 of roadside with allot of rocks which appears to be another plus for the RC
-I'm planning on sharpening my first set of blades after I have beaten them up during the first season. Sound like this is controversial but a great excuse to use my angle grinder - sparks, loud noises, and dirty gloves make me smile
-I'm sure Greg_G would never had taken the time to reply to my post had he known I'm retired USAF. The Navy believes we over analyze everything!

Enough about attachments, here's wishing all of you a very safe and enjoyable Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!
 
   / Finish or Rotary?? - Again #39  
Thanks to all for your replies, I was out at the property last weekend and was able to see much more of the terrain since the winter kill and came to the decision it would be just too rough for a FM. Hopefully I will still be able to buy the new (last years) Bush Hog SQ172 for $2000. With no intent to start another debate, let me comment on a few of the posts.
-I had already determined my JD 3720 44HP 36PTO was enough to pull a 72 mower so I did not include this information
-I appreciate being reminded that life expectancy should always be included in the total cost of a purchase
-It is curious most of the FMs I have researched have thicker decks then comparable RCs so I guess the fact they are supporting their entire weight takes its toll
-I have not heard one bad word from any poster on TBN about the Bush Hog Squealer which makes me feel much better about my decision
-I do not want a manicured look for most of the property and plan on cutting height of 6-12 so another plus for the RC
-I originally wanted a flail mower but initial costs and availability changed my mind
-I have about 2000 of roadside with allot of rocks which appears to be another plus for the RC
-I'm planning on sharpening my first set of blades after I have beaten them up during the first season. Sound like this is controversial but a great excuse to use my angle grinder - sparks, loud noises, and dirty gloves make me smile
-I'm sure Greg_G would never had taken the time to reply to my post had he known I'm retired USAF. The Navy believes we over analyze everything!

Enough about attachments, here's wishing all of you a very safe and enjoyable Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!

OH NO.....I'm ex-Army. Didn't know we were dealing with a fly boy ;)
 
 

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