Now I was pretty much set on the RCR 1872 and told my guy about that. He now tries to convince me to get one of the really beaten old ones the dealership has available. His reasoning is to do the difficult work with that including possibly running over hidden stones, and if needed get a new one down the road. However, I am not a friend of getting something with the thought to need to replace it soon again, therefore I am rather getting the real thing in the first place. What would you guys do?
Rotary Cutter Which rotary cutter to get
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crowbar032
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I'm like you, I would still go with the medium duty 6ft new one if you can afford it. I try to buy the best I can afford at the time. The only way I'd go with a used one is if it looks in pretty good shape and is significant savings over the new one.
Shredders/rotary cutters/bushhogs are tougher than what everyone thinks, especially if you're going with the medium duty one. Blades are replaceable or you can sharpen them. Keep/make sure there is oil in the gear box, maybe replace a seal if it starts leaking bad. That doesn't leave much other than the deck. If it feels "beefy" in thickness and has a stump jumper, rocks and chunks of wood aren't going to shoot through it or really hurt it. Yes it will dent, but if something happens to the deck it can be welded. If you hit something, it's going to make a HUGE racket. The tractor and cutter are going to shake violently, but it's doubtful you'll hurt anything. I wouldn't hit anything large on purpose though.
My $.02 for what it's worth.
Shredders/rotary cutters/bushhogs are tougher than what everyone thinks, especially if you're going with the medium duty one. Blades are replaceable or you can sharpen them. Keep/make sure there is oil in the gear box, maybe replace a seal if it starts leaking bad. That doesn't leave much other than the deck. If it feels "beefy" in thickness and has a stump jumper, rocks and chunks of wood aren't going to shoot through it or really hurt it. Yes it will dent, but if something happens to the deck it can be welded. If you hit something, it's going to make a HUGE racket. The tractor and cutter are going to shake violently, but it's doubtful you'll hurt anything. I wouldn't hit anything large on purpose though.
My $.02 for what it's worth.
TripleR
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I like using equipment not working on it, I grew up farming with well worn equipment and it was really frustrating, I now buy new equipment or nearly new. That is not for everyone as my brother will weld decks, replace gear boxes on stuff until it is beyond repair, but he is a lot better mechanic than I.
TripleR, I am like you. I really enjoy using equipment and not working on it. I also grew up farming with well worn equipment, and never had a nice pool of tools on hand. So first thing I got when moving in my own home was a well stashed tool box, and now the new tractor. I guess our household is the opposite of many others: Here the woman is into getting all sorts of fun things, and the guy is a little more reluctant... I can see my guy's reasoning though, but I am afraid I will be stuck with an old piece of equipment that leaks oil like crazy and needs all sorts of attention. Still, I contacted the dealer to ask more specifics about the two used rotary cutters he has. Asking doesn't hurt or cost any, and I really want to give my guy's input a chance as well. Who knows, maybe one of those is not in such bad shape. But I am ready to pull the trigger on the RCR 1872 anytime now; as soon as I find out the used ones are in really bad shape... The dealer mentioned to me earlier that both were well used... By the way, the dealer with the used cutters is a different one than the dealer where I got the best quote for the new RCR 1872.
TripleR
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I'm fortunate that my wife and I share interest in our farms, helps with maintenance, doesn't object to new equipment and even talked me into a cab when I was looking at an open station. She does all of the yard maintenance with "her" BX2200 and BX2660 and when needed runs the L5740 with cutter while I am running the M8540 and cutter. People use to laugh when I bought my wife a new deer rifle or handgun as a present, but not any more. She grew up as a tow girl, but has adapted very well to country living.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Buy the biggest, strongest one you can. Both will work great for years, but the stronger one will have less wear and remain working long after the lighter duty one wears out. Because you said the land is kind of rough, you will have surprises and you will cause damage to it. That damage adds up and there is only so much any machine can handle. The stronger one will handle it a lot better, and for $300 more, it's a no brainer.
Eddie
Eddie
buickanddeere
Super Member
Have a Deere 609 and the only thing I wish different is purchasing the 7ft wide 709. You won't save money by cutting costs on a rotary cutter.
I consider myself lucky as well with my guy, as our interests are very similar. His dream some day is to get a Unimog to play with. With the rotary cutter he is just concerned I will damage a new one during the first round of mowing since we really don't know what is all underneath the grass and shrubbery. IMHO it cannot be so bad though as the previous owner mowed it before, however the neighbor farmers told me that the previous owner constantly had to bring his equipment into the shop as he apparently always ran into stones and did not know what he was doing... They always heard him making loud noises with his tractor and mower. That fits with my interaction with him; he told me that was the first time him using a tractor... I guess he thought he could go full speed no matter what, ugh!
Now things took a little interesting twist. The dealer got back to me with another used rotary cutter that actually seems promising and something that could last: A Woods BB72 with new blades on it for 995$. My guy is having a look at it tomorrow night, and I keep you guys posted.
TripleR
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Always good to have two perspectives when thinking about new purchases. In ground with which I am not familiar, I mow pretty high, keep the bucket close to the ground as a feeler and go slow.
It sounds as though this is not your first go round with tractors and thus won't have the same problems as the previous owner.
