What rotary cutter should I look at?

RanchoSoledad · Oct 18, 2009

I'm looking at buying a Montana R3644HST with FEL, and the only implement I need right away is a rotary cutter for brush clearing (some dense brush 3-4' high, 1-2" diameter) on about 5 acres. The dealer priced out a Gearmore rotary mower at $1363. I'm pretty set on the Montana tractor but not sure about the cutter, since it will be the main reason I'm getting the tractor. I can't find a lot of information about Gearmore, even on these forums. Any advice?

Also, the R3644 is priced at $21,000 (with FEL) in Southern California - does this sound reasonable?

whistlepig · Oct 18, 2009

RanchoSoledad said:
I'm looking at buying a Montana R3644HST with FEL, and the only implement I need right away is a rotary cutter for brush clearing (some dense brush 3-4' high, 1-2" diameter) on about 5 acres. The dealer priced out a Gearmore rotary mower at $1363. I'm pretty set on the Montana tractor but not sure about the cutter, since it will be the main reason I'm getting the tractor. I can't find a lot of information about Gearmore, even on these forums. Any advice?

Also, the R3644 is priced at $21,000 (with FEL) in Southern California - does this sound reasonable?

If you are cutting 1"-2" dense brush you are going to give a brush cutter a serious thumping. The stump jumper on brush hogs is the weak link. Also you will want a brush hog with a heavy enough frame to stay on the ground. Too light and the brush hog will ride up on the stuff. I have cut this kind of stuff. I have a LandPride RCR1860 that "could" do it. It would be heavy enough. Cutting this stuff with a light to medium duty brush cutter will age the mower quickly.

shakin · Oct 20, 2009

i run a 4' bush hog squealer that only cuts to 1" per spec a bush hog that cuts to 2" is quite a machine and you might not have enough pto hp to spin it right. i guessing a hog that you're tractor will run will probably only cut to 1 1/2 inches. this bush hog is tough and with a lift blade cuts quite clean. go to a tracotr supply i was giong to buy a king kutter/county line. they seem to be built tough and the price fits any budget.

Dave5264 · Oct 21, 2009

im pulling a 5' "Grizzly" Brush Cutter, so far so good. it chops down stuff at 1" with ease, I've take down 2" stuff with no trouble. I Bush Hogged about 10 acres this summer, 1 -2 acres of it was well grown up with Tag Alders, this cutter just ate 'em up and spat them out.

MtnViewRanch · Oct 21, 2009

RanchoSoledad said:
I'm looking at buying a Montana R3644HST with FEL, and the only implement I need right away is a rotary cutter for brush clearing (some dense brush 3-4' high, 1-2" diameter) on about 5 acres. The dealer priced out a Gearmore rotary mower at $1363. I'm pretty set on the Montana tractor but not sure about the cutter, since it will be the main reason I'm getting the tractor. I can't find a lot of information about Gearmore, even on these forums. Any advice?

Also, the R3644 is priced at $21,000 (with FEL) in Southern California - does this sound reasonable?

Guessing that the BobCat thing didn't work for you.

Anyway, the Montana's are very good tractors also, 21K sounds a bit high to me, but then it was over a year ago that I was pricing them. Most all the dealers around here sell Gearmore because they are close by, they are located up in Chino Ca. Not much info about the cutter in the brochure, price sounds good, maybe to good, as in not really built to be cutting any bigger stuff. It will probable work for you, the bigger stuff isn't going to be growing back anytime soon. You might ask about a price on an L60-60HD, it is 33% heaver than the LG60 that I'm guessing Allen priced out for you. The other thing that you could do is go to the JD dealer in El Cajon and get a price on a Land Pride unit. Pretty sure that the LP would be more $$$ though.

Good luck

RanchoSoledad · Oct 23, 2009

MtnView - My inclination was the price was a little high. I didn't end up looking at Bobcat because the closest dealer I could find was up in Riverside - is there one in SD County? I did really like the Montana a lot, and we will have him bring one out here to try before buying, which is nice.

I thought the same about the Gearmore but once we've got the brush under control we shouldn't need anything heavy duty. I just couldn't find anyone who's used one who has an opinion, so that makes me a little wary!

Thanks!

Dallas_Lilly · Oct 23, 2009

I have the gearmore "LG" series mower in a six foot behind my 3040. I have beat the living daylights out of this mower and it has held up well. Nothing overly thick just allot of rocks and other debris. I caught a t post one day that was loose and poked a hole through the side. I have mowed through three seasons with this thing and the only thing I have ever replaced is blades. I think my PTO HP is 26 or 27 and if i had to cut 1 to 2 inch dense brush I would just make narrower passes.

All that rambling and what I really mean is I have been happy with my gearmore mower, no complaints.

Dallas_Lilly · Oct 23, 2009

Oh I forgot, I am pretty sure that the LG Gearmore is just a medium duty King Kutter. When mine was new it had a MFG tag that said 72" Lift Kutter. dont think that anybody else would spell cutter that way.

MtnViewRanch · Oct 23, 2009

RanchoSoledad said:
MtnView - My inclination was the price was a little high. I didn't end up looking at Bobcat because the closest dealer I could find was up in Riverside - is there one in SD County? I did really like the Montana a lot, and we will have him bring one out here to try before buying, which is nice.

I thought the same about the Gearmore but once we've got the brush under control we shouldn't need anything heavy duty. I just couldn't find anyone who's used one who has an opinion, so that makes me a little wary!

Thanks!

There's one up at 9370 Miramar Rd. I'm pretty sure that Allen will let you try out the Montana for a weekend.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.