Rotary Cutter Howse Mowers - Cutting Quality

[madermu]

hello everyone, I've been reading the forums on the site for a while, but this is my first time to post.

I'm about to buy some type of mower and have been looking specifically at the Howse mower. I need a mower to cut the areas on the outside of my fences and a area that covers about an acre. All in all, its too large an area for a riding mower.

Can anyone give me an idea on the quality of cut from a Howse Rotary Cutter? I'd like to use a rotary cutter, because it would be more versitle than a finish mower, but the areas I'm cutting need to look nice.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[Bigfoot62]

Howse makes a decent cutter. Built in Mississippi. Started out as HICO. (Howse Implement Co) My cousin wore one out, after about 35 years, and replaced it with another Howse.

Unless it's as flat as a parking lot, no brush-hog is going to cut it very level. You will have problems with scalping as well as high spots.

If you want it to look like you cut it with a finish mower, you need to cut it with a finish mower.

 

[Army grunt]

I have a 5 ft. HOWSE, Its fine for what you are doing with it. I have about 4 acres I cut a few times a year an it works good, I have even thought about adding a few caster wheels to the front to keep the front from scraping.I like to cut low.
Army Grunt

 

[Mark Page]

I used to mow our fields with a 6ft rotary mower. If you set it up properly it did a pretty good job. I've since gone to a 7ft finish mower.
With rotary mowers you want to have the front set up lower in the front than in the rear, you don't want to mow it twice.

 

[MarkV]

hello everyone, I've been reading the forums on the site for a while, but this is my first time to post.

I'm about to buy some type of mower and have been looking specifically at the Howse mower. I need a mower to cut the areas on the outside of my fences and a area that covers about an acre. All in all, its too large an area for a riding mower.

Can anyone give me an idea on the quality of cut from a Howse Rotary Cutter? I'd like to use a rotary cutter, because it would be more versitle than a finish mower, but the areas I'm cutting need to look nice.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. The mower you are looking at is a fine light duty rotary mower. You need to understand though no rotary mower is going to give as nice of finish cut as a finish mower. If you need that suburban yard look a finish mower may be better for you.

MarkV

 

[Treesanddust]

One thing that can make a difference depending on the type of grass you are cutting is the blade type. A lot of the mowers have different blade types for different situations.
If you are looking for more of a groomed look, be sure to get a mower with up-lift blades.

 

[gwdixon]

hello everyone, I've been reading the forums on the site for a while, but this is my first time to post.

I'm about to buy some type of mower and have been looking specifically at the Howse mower. I need a mower to cut the areas on the outside of my fences and a area that covers about an acre. All in all, its too large an area for a riding mower.

Can anyone give me an idea on the quality of cut from a Howse Rotary Cutter? I'd like to use a rotary cutter, because it would be more versitle than a finish mower, but the areas I'm cutting need to look nice.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

All rotary cutters cut pretty much the same. Buy a good one (read expensive) if you are going to use it a lot. The rotary cutters are separated by their longevity. Thicker sheet metal and a hefty gear box make a difference after several years.

If you REALLY need a golf course type of look on a field then a flail mower with finish blades is the way to go. Very expensive compared to a rotary but the results are outstanding.

 

[madermu]

Thanks guys for all the info and advice

 

[Bdavis]

hello everyone, I've been reading the forums on the site for a while, but this is my first time to post.

I'm about to buy some type of mower and have been looking specifically at the Howse mower. I need a mower to cut the areas on the outside of my fences and a area that covers about an acre. All in all, its too large an area for a riding mower.

Can anyone give me an idea on the quality of cut from a Howse Rotary Cutter? I'd like to use a rotary cutter, because it would be more versitle than a finish mower, but the areas I'm cutting need to look nice.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

I had about 5 acres of cleared yard then about another 8 acres of heavy stuff I wanted to clear. I finally decided that the only way to go is with 2 attachements. (a finishing mower and a rotary)
If you check craiglist (it takes a while) you can generally pick up one or both
in good condition for a good price.
I am really glad I went this route. Rotary cutters almost by definition or heavier and longer than a finishing mower. Making them much more difficult to manuever. (at least when I am at the controls !) Also getting the right height adjustment and making a good smooth cut is really difficult.
The finishing mower with the 4 wheels makes a good cut and you can really
cut regular grass with it quickly.
I have found that the finishing mower stays on my tractor about 8 months out of the year . I only use the rotary cutter about twice a year.

Every situation is different but there is no way I would use a rotary cutter to cut a regular lawn or cut close to obstables. I would just tear up to much stuff !! This combination has worked well for me. I did add a used riding lawn mower to my grass cutting collection to cut the ditches and I love it.
Hope this helps !

 

[DKCDKC]

I have had a small 5 foot Howse for about 10 years. I Mow an acre plot, some grass beside my driveway, and some areas near the house... Mixed grass and brush. The Howse works fine. It looks beat up, but keeps cutting. I sharpen the blades every spring and it cuts deep grass very well, almost looks like a finish mower if you are careful as you mow and keep the PTO RPMs to spec.