Rotary Cutter Which 5' cutter to get

[RoyJackson]

Based upon my own experience, I'm going to respectfully suggest that a 30hp HST New Holland isn't enough tractor for 20 acres, especially if there's any hillside work involved.
greg//

Although I agree that the TC-30 or similarly sized tractor is small for 30 acres, it's possible that's what iwalsh and family can best afford.

However, I would suggest they look for an older full sized utility tractor in 2WD instead. One of our TBN members, Sound Guy, is very knowledgeable about the older Fords/New Hollands and he would be a great source of information.
There's a downside to that, of course. A larger tractor will require larger implements...but on 30 acres, a 10' cutter would be advantageous.
Personally, in iwalsh's situation, I don't see any advantage to a flail mower especially considering the higher initial cost and more maintenance involved.

It's really going to depend on their budget.

Back to the TC-30....iwalsh, do a search on TBN for this tractor. There was a rash of them breaking the main engine or transmission castings when equipped with a loader. Not being a big NH fan, I didn't follow these threads but it is something you should be aware of...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm in the commercial mowing business and have had the luxury of demoing some of the most expensive, top-of-the-line flail mowers available, as well as using them right along side of some mid level (as well as upper end) rotary mowers IN THE SAME CONDITIONS....Plan WAS to market my business with the "alleged advantages" of flail mowers....I tried 'em and I sent 'em back with a thanks but no thanks note attached. They're HIGHLY over-rated......

Flails are higher initial cost, slower in terms of acres per hour due to slow ground speeds they're limited to, MUCH higher in terms of maintenance cost (and TIME) and require quite a bit more hp if you have any hopes of equalling acres of productivity per ft.(ie bigger MORE EXPENSIVE tractor to do the same job. OR...go ridiculously slow in heavy grass/weeds.) ...Flails don't give you the flexibility of uses that a rotary cutter will. (Varying condition require various knives....Rotary mowers need but one blade type. BTDT, gave up on the flail mowers....The simple fact that a flail mower has hundreds of moving parts compared to just a few on a rotary cutter is self explanitory as far as maintenance time/cost...Not to mention flails are far more susceptible to damage in anything less than ideal conditions.

After side by side comparison (over several WEEKS) if I had to hang a percentage value on them, it was my finding that a flail mower is probably 50% to 60% more INefficent in terms of acres per hour. If you're already looking at a tractor that is "marginally productive" with a rotary cutter, expect to grow very tired of mowing with a flail behind the same tractor...If you have nothing but time on your hands, and want to find a rationalization for spending hours upon hours on the tractor.....There ya go!

A well maintained rotary cutter will give you great results, cut more ground in the same amount of time, and do so at a much lower cost.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I cut about 4 acres of moderate hilly ground with a 34 HP engine 29 HP PTO Kubota 4wd geared tractor. The cutter is a 6' Kodiak light duty. I only cut about 4 times a year so it gets pretty wooly at times. I bog down sometimes with that setup so I am probably on the edge of needing a little larger tractor, but it's not enough of a problem to cause me any major concerns. Just a point of reference for you in considering the equipment to buy.

 

[beppington]

I'm in the commercial mowing business and have had the luxury of demoing some of the most expensive, top-of-the-line flail mowers available, as well as using them right along side of some mid level (as well as upper end) rotary mowers IN THE SAME CONDITIONS....Plan WAS to market my business with the "alleged advantages" of flail mowers....I tried 'em and I sent 'em back with a thanks but no thanks note attached. They're HIGHLY over-rated......

Flails are higher initial cost, slower in terms of acres per hour due to slow ground speeds they're limited to, MUCH higher in terms of maintenance cost (and TIME) and require quite a bit more hp if you have any hopes of equalling acres of productivity per ft.(ie bigger MORE EXPENSIVE tractor to do the same job. OR...go ridiculously slow in heavy grass/weeds.) ...Flails don't give you the flexibility of uses that a rotary cutter will. (Varying condition require various knives....Rotary mowers need but one blade type. BTDT, gave up on the flail mowers....The simple fact that a flail mower has hundreds of moving parts compared to just a few on a rotary cutter is self explanitory as far as maintenance time/cost...Not to mention flails are far more susceptible to damage in anything less than ideal conditions.

After side by side comparison (over several WEEKS) if I had to hang a percentage value on them, it was my finding that a flail mower is probably 50% to 60% more INefficent in terms of acres per hour. If you're already looking at a tractor that is "marginally productive" with a rotary cutter, expect to grow very tired of mowing with a flail behind the same tractor...If you have nothing but time on your hands, and want to find a rationalization for spending hours upon hours on the tractor.....There ya go!

Boy you really hate flail mowers! Actually, you're the only person on TBN I can recall that does seem to actually hate them! I like rotary cutters just fine for their suited purpose, but just so nobody comes along & reads only your anti-flail post, I'll respond below with the comparable pro's of a flail mower ...

A well maintained rotary cutter will give you great results, cut more ground in the same amount of time, and do so at a much lower cost.

All true, but compared to a flail mower it will also provide a rougher quality cut, potentially throw large objects out from under the deck possibly damaging something or someone, occasionally gouge your turf, & extend further off the back of your tractor for lesser maneuverability. A flail mower will result in a very-near-finish-mower cut quality; The buyer needs to decide whether that's needed. If you're mowing an entire acre or more where people aren't standing on or amongst the actual "lawn", a rotary cutter can make a lawn-looking result from a distance. Close up, though, the flail mower cut is very close to a finish mower.

 

[Soundguy]

Boy you really hate flail mowers! Actually, you're the only person on TBN I can recall that does seem to actually hate them! I.

As I stated earlier.. I'mnot fond of them either. The co I work for, while not int he commercial mowing business, does tend to have to do alot of mowing on ROW for road jobs, or when doing DRA maintenance.

We ALSO demo'd, and even used flail and offset flail mowers a bit.

as FWJ said. highher initial cost, higher maint cost.. more parts to fix / replace.. and let me tell you.. if you think hitting a discarded tire is a teeth rattling affair on a rotary cutter.. hit it with a flail.. at least on the rotary cutter you might just pop a shear pin or slip the clutch, scare the bajeebers out of you and/or leave a blunt ont he blade to file out. In the flail.. you might be left make a strip where it ain't cutting..

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Although I agree that the TC-30 or similarly sized tractor is small for 30 acres, it's possible that's what iwalsh and family can best afford.

However, I would suggest they look for an older full sized utility tractor in 2WD instead. One of our TBN members, Sound Guy, is very knowledgeable about the older Fords/New Hollands and he would be a great source of information.
There's a downside to that, of course. A larger tractor will require larger implements...but on 30 acres, a 10' cutter would be advantageous...........

It's really going to depend on their budget.

As cheap.. er affordable as some antiques and classics are, it's possible he may be able to swing a nice ford in the 8XX series.. or a MF in the 35/135/++ series.

good machines.. generally low priced. I've seen units in the 2500$ range that need cosmetic help and a wrech passed over them.. but are otherwise ready to mow pasture.

all depends on budget.

IMHO.. to get into a 10' cutter.. he'd really need to go bigger.. like 50-70hp. I pull a 10' mower with a ford 5000 Had entertained the idea of using the 4600 with it. while the 4600 will spin it up.. it's way too heavy and big, and I have a feeling it's a bit abusive tot he pto clutch pack too..

a machine in the price range to run a 10' mower is likely going to be in the 5000-8000$ range.. not to mention a 10' mower, new is going to be 2600$+and probably closer to 3400$ for anything half way decent. that's getting into real extra money there.

Guys like me don't mind buying a 1200$ batwing mower, fixing it.. a 4000$ tractor, fixing it, and then running them.. but for some people.. it is not their cup of tea.

still.. if that's what the op wants to do.. there are plenty here to help.. some of us.. like FWJ and too many others to name could sure help him with the old iron mongering.

soundguy

 

[leonz]

Yes, you have to either replace or change/sharpen
damaged grass slicers or shackles in the event of an
impact damage incident, but its much easier than
dealing and dealing with death related accident
investigation reports and the Local LEO's and and
wrongfull death/damages lawsuits filed by any of the
surviving relatives or the accident victim suing for
damages and expenses.


Have you read the large handfull of death and
injury news articles about rotary cutters involved
in object impact incidents here on the forum
which killed or maimed pedestrians or persons
traveling in vehicles nearby? If not, you should
do so as there are many news paper accounts of same.

You will NEVER go back to a rotary cutter after using a flail mower . They cut very neatly , leave no winrows , throw no missiles and mow right up to fences and leave scrub looking like lawn . I am a contract slasher , i mow grass beside fully glazed house fronts without fear of damage . When i first started i bought my new tractor with a 6' contractors slasher . On the first day it picked up a 6" bolt from the grass , it threw it through a chain wire fence , across a busy street , and then through the fibro wall of a house 60 metres away . If it did not hit the wall stud it would have went through the plaster and into the lounge room . It would have killed anyone in it's path , i rang the dealer and told them to bring the flail mower with them and pick up this death trap . It had done 2 hours work and i paid the extra $7000 for the flail and have never felt safer . There is a before and after shot in my gallery of some Lantana and woody weed i slashed with my Cabe 2500 .

 

[Soundguy]

WWhile I'm sure it happens. In my local area I can't recall a single mower blade related death resulting from a rotary cutter blae flying off, in any kind of recent history.

Course... most guys here use chain, rubber, or solid metal guards too.

soundguy

 

[leonz]

The arbor of a rotary cutter outfitted for 540 rpm
using a 22 tooth reduction to a 15 tooth final drive creates
792 Revolutions Per Minute which creates a horizontal
blade tip speed of:

170 miles per hour which equals
897,600 feet per hour
14,960 per minute
249.33 feet per second at impact

At impact the cutter blade may fold back slightly while
rotating and as the prime mover advances the blade
even though folding back may still propel the object
out from under the mower deck before it finishes rotating
or shears a pin or the Eurocardan clutch slips.


Alamo could make a much more efficient rough work flail mower
using a flail mower rotor with a larger outside diameter but they
will not since they have no competition after they "In my opinion"
destroyed the Mott Mower Company.

 

[Soundguy]

If they were mankillers as bad as you are making them out. county maintenance wouldn't have a fleet of them. too much liability.

a piece of popcorn can kill you. lets not get out of perspective here.

ANYTHING CAN kill you.

soundguy