4" rotary cutter- new or used and what brand?

[jeff9366]

At least on the Woods, Howse and King Kutter web sites the equipment is differentiated into categories.

For King Kutter categories are Standard Duty, Heavy Duty and Professional.

 

[94BULLITT]

The heavier duty ones weigh more.

 

[FTG-05]

At least on the Woods, Howse and King Kutter web sites the equipment is differentiated into categories.

For King Kutter categories are Standard Duty, Heavy Duty and Professional.

This is good to know.

The heavier duty ones weigh more.

This would have been my first guess. Minimum weight for a HD 6' bush hog? Sorry if this is hijack.

 

[94BULLITT]

This would have been my first guess. Minimum weight for a HD 6' bush hog? Sorry if this is hijack.

Probably in excess of 1000lbs. Woods makes one that is 1400lbs.

 

[kenmac]

The manufacture of my cutter list their cutters as LD,MD,HD. I think most will list theirs' as such.You should be able to tell(if buying used) by the thickness of the metal used

 

[pretendfarmer]

Thought I would update this thread since I bought the new Taylor-Pittsburgh unit. It is very well made, and came with a 5 year gearbox warranty. I tried it out today, but I am a true rookie and I did not have great luck. I stopped cutting and decided to do a bit more reading before I get back on the tractor. I am dealing with rocky soil, and 6' scotch broom and blackberries. Not sure how to attack it. When the cutter was hitting rocks, I got worried it was going to be damaged. No huge rocks, just like the size of a golf ball, etc. The problem is the ground is uneven, and has ruts, etc, so the cutter is kind of up and down, etc. It kind of bogged down a few times, and I think it may need to be adjusted higher. Also not sure if it is OK if I raise the mower as I am moving to go over things?

 

[jeff9366]

The front of your new Rotary Cutter should be adjusted to the cut height you want. On my 48" King Kutter that is normally 1-1/2". The rear should be slightly higher, I use 2-1/2". Only the front arc of the blade cuts, the blade arc at the rear exhausts clippings.

( There are no rocks in my sandy-loam. As you have rocks, you will need to adjust higher. You do not want to mow rocks! )

It you have the RC at same height, front and rear, the clippings stay in the RC and mulch, which bogs down the blade rotation.

Set the tail wheel first, then refine cutting height with front adjustment.

Cutter should be level, side to side. (Adjust Lifting Rod on right side of hitch. Left side in non-adjustable.)

Use a ruler to set heights.

Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberries are both TOUGH. You may need to mow the first time at 3" front, 4" to 4-1/2" rear for the first pass.

Every RC is its own case. You will have to play with your Tayor-Pittsburgh some to get results you deserve.

See Post #2. You may require Zerco Limit Chains to hold up front of RC and provide fine, repeatable front adjustment. Limit chains maintain front height of RC relative to tractor rear wheels when mowing undulating or rough areas.

My Limit Chains came from Steven's Tractor in Louisiana; you should be able to find Zerco or another brand closer to Washington.

Limit chains for RCs are "an oldie but a goodie".

I trust you wear safety glasses, long pants, gloves and steel toed boots when mowing with the RC.....


http://www.stevenstractor.com/accessories/three-point-hitch/chain-limiter-kit.html

http://www.eezs.com/product.php?task=detail&Product_Id=103

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...271185-kubota-b3300su-zerco-check-chains.html

 

[pretendfarmer]

How do I adjust the front? I am new to tractors and 3 point hitches.

 

[jeff9366]

Without limit chains:

You adjust front with hydraulic 3-Pt Control Lever, which raises the Lower Links hydraulically and permits gravity to lower the hitch. RC is attached to Lower Links through two Draw Pins on RC, which pass through swiveling "eyes" on Lower Links.

You will be OK on level, smooth ground but without Position Control, which I do not think your tractor has (my Deere/Yanmar 750 did not have Position Control) the RC frame will collide with rough ground, as you have already experienced.

Then you acquire Limit Chains.

Do you have one tail wheel or two tail wheels? I should think normal one, on a 48" RC.

 

[Midniteoyl]

What are you mowing? 1 1/2" is awfully low for most... Grass should be around 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" unless you are in a really wet, fast growing area (or water like crazy). Mines at 3" in sandy soil to prevent stress, drying, and weeds. Field (bush hogging) is usually higher in the 4" - 6" range. Especially for the first cut, are if you only do it couple times a year. I finish mow my field at 4" except around the fire pit which is 3". In the end, however, it will be your land that determines the mow/hog height as you have found.