bush hogging ("rotary mowers") advice please

[ohbehave]

I've got an L3200 Kubota.... 25hp at the PTO.

Also, I've got 6 wooded acres that I am thinning....and I am considering making a little pecan tree orchard.

Regardless, the understory is full of weed, invasive privet trees/shrubs and honeysuckle (I'm in Tenn.)

Almost everything is going to be under 2" thick... I'll pull the bigger stuff out with the shrub grubber. The terrain rolls and dips here and there, too

I'd like to know of the different qualities of available "Bush Hog" type mowers. I have read people say "medium duty, heavy duty" etc.... but how would I know...and how would I know what I need?

What are the safe, good reputation brands to get. I think my local kubota dealer sells Land Pride as their higher end, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[greg_g]

Hawklike sells sturdy implements. They're in Huntingdon, just west of Nashville. Used to go under the IMC brand (International Machinery Corp). I had their IM500 (shear bolt five footer) and their IM602 (slip clutch six footer). Given your 25 PTO hp, I'd say five footer. But with all those vines, hopefully you can get one with a slip clutch

//greg//

 

[bigbull338]

with the hp you have id get a heavy duty 5ft brushhog shredder todo that clean up work.you want a shredder that hold up to rough work.

 

[TripleR]

Medium or Heavy duty seems to mean different things with different manufacturers. I run a Land Pride RCR2672 cutter which is rated as a "medium duty" which cuts 3" stuff and I have cut thicker. The RCF3672 is the Heavy duty cutter with a rating up to 4" and weighs a few hundred more pounds.

For your needs a "medium duty" in some brands will work, but in another brand it may be labeled a "heavy duty", just be sure it is of good quality and rated for your needs. Judge them by cutting capacity, deck thickness and HP rating. I only get ones with a slip clutch having spent too much time replacing shear pins, others like the shear pin.

Several manufacturers make good cutters, I just have experience with Land Pride, King Kutter, Rhino some off brands and Woods.

 

[Piston]

I agree with what TripleR said.


To add to that, there is a good chance that a TRUE medium duty 5' cutter will be pushing the recommended limits for your tractor. I recommend getting the heaviest duty cutter you can put on your tractor.

In your owners manual, it should state the maximum weight for specific implements. You should see a max weight listed for rotary cutters. Try to stay near that max, but not too much over it.

I would avoid any light duty cutters if you plan to mow much 2" material.

 

[Power2ll]

You can't go wrong with a 60" squealer by brush hog they cost more but if you use it you will see the difference . They have a round back and will hold up better than most . I had a king kutter before and liked it but then I got the hog and it sells itself

 

[greg_g]

there is a good chance that a TRUE medium duty 5' cutter will be pushing the recommended limits for your tractor. I recommend getting the heaviest duty cutter you can put on your tractor..

What am I missing? If a medium duty pushes the limits, what's the logic in going heavy duty? The hydraulics can lift >1400 pounds, but can 25 PTO hp spin a HD competently? Even if yes, I might be bit concerned how long the electric PTO clutch can stand up to the HD shock load.

//greg//

 

[Piston]

What am I missing? If a medium duty pushes the limits, what's the logic in going heavy duty? The hydraulics can lift >1400 pounds, but can 25 PTO hp spin a HD competently? Even if yes, I might be bit concerned how long the electric PTO clutch can stand up to the HD shock load.

//greg//

No you can't go heavy duty with your tractor, not a "true" heavy duty anyways. What I mean is try to get the heaviest duty cutter you can. For your tractor, that may mean sticking with a light duty cutter, but get the heaviest one you can.

The reason it's confusing is because one companies so called "heavy duty" cutter, might be half the weight than another companies medium duty.

Hope that clears it up a little?

 

[ohbehave]

I called my Kubota dealer. He suggests that I buy the lighter duty model Land Pride RCR 1860 (slip clutch and chain guards). This has the capacity to wack up to 2" brush. He quoted $1,635.

The heavier duty rcr2660 is $2,365.

What am I missing? If a medium duty pushes the limits, what's the logic in going heavy duty? The hydraulics can lift >1400 pounds, but can 25 PTO hp spin a HD competently? Even if yes, I might be bit concerned how long the electric PTO clutch can stand up to the HD shock load.

//greg//

 

[TripleR]

I called my Kubota dealer. He suggests that I buy the lighter duty model Land Pride RCR 1860 (slip clutch and chain guards). This has the capacity to wack up to 2" brush. He quoted $1,635.

The heavier duty rcr2660 is $2,365.

Sounds like a good choice for that tractor and your chores and I highly recommend the slip clutch and chains.