rotary cutter, best overall value?

[WGTactical]

Thanks again for the input on the CTL purchase...mine is scheduled to be here around the first of July :thumbsup:

I am now looking for the best value in a 5' cutter that I will be using on a TL230 standard flow machine, or I also have the TL250 with high flow, meaning I may need a 6' cutter for that.

First, who makes the best rotary cutter for the money and why?
Second, would HF be worth the extra $$ on a rotary cutter?

I will be doing bush hog type work around the ponds and creeks here, and trying to keep the privet controlled in other places. Maybe some occasional clearing related...but I have a FAE head for the bigger stuff.

 

[WestshoreConstruction]

Davco, Best rotary cutter there is and they are made close to you.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Another vote for Davco. Also you may want to look at Brown Mfg.

 

[Digdeep]

Davco...great cutter. I use one for my deer property on trails and to cut shooting lanes through slashings.

Make sure you get the high flow deck for your 230 and get it wide enough to cover the width of your machine.

 

[WGTactical]

The 250 is high flow, the 230 is standard. From what I can tell, the Davco 504 would be a good choice for the 230...right? I have filled out an online quote request for one, and I will call a dealer in Atlanta that reps Davco as well.

 

[Dargo]

Another vote for Davco. Also you may want to look at Brown Mfg.

Best, or 'best value'? There's a big difference. For the "best", without any doubt, I'd have to say Brown. If you want 'best value', that opens it up to about any brand. It depends on what value means to you. To me, value means that when I'm a mile from my truck and hit something I don't break. It means that if I can push it over I chop it up with my rotary cutter. It means I don't have to worry about bending the tail wheel(s) when I back up. I went through a half a dozen cheaper brands before I bought a used Brown. LOL, I then used it as a template to make another cutter I had into a Brown plus a little more. If I need to use the cutter as a battering ram in reverse to get into some heavy bushes, I use my home built one that has a complete external frame made of 2" square tubing 3/8" thick.

 

[QwikDraw]

The Davcos are pretty high priced...I want to say 13K for the high flow unit. I run a Bradco low flow, it does alright is stuff up to 3 inches and a good job on smaller.
I really like the exposed blades of the Davco...so much so I cut the front off my Bradco and took the door off the Ammbusher and will be cutting the front of that when I have time to do it right and widen the push bar.

Bradco in the 5k range and 72" wide, runs on 18 gpm.

 

[whistlepig]

Brown Cutters are also very expensive. But they are one heck of a piece of equipment. I'm not familiar with Davis. When I think of best value I'm thinking of the heaviest made cutter for the dollar. That would be taking in consideration the thickness of the blades, thickness of the stump jumper, thickness of the body metal, weight of the mower, and the HP rating of the gearbox.

 

[franklinute]

I own a Loftness flail mower and use it on my skid steers. It is only a light to medium duty cutter. I works great maintaining around ponds, trails and extremely steep hills. Things like privet and wild rose bushes get reduced to mulch. It will not cut heavy brush. It works with low flow hydraulics and is easy to operate.

 

[Dargo]

The Davcos are pretty high priced...I want to say 13K for the high flow unit. I run a Bradco low flow, it does alright is stuff up to 3 inches and a good job on smaller.
I really like the exposed blades of the Davco...so much so I cut the front off my Bradco and took the door off the Ammbusher and will be cutting the front of that when I have time to do it right and widen the push bar.

Bradco in the 5k range and 72" wide, runs on 18 gpm.

How do you like your Tak? I have a "match set" Tak TL150 and TB145. I have absolutely hammered each of them at times with zero problems. They don't make a rotary cutter, but I see Takeuchi/Mustang as a darn good value.