Rotary Cutter Rotary Cutters

[LD1]

His tractor shouldn't have much issue lifting and driving around with a 7' cutter. Your simple lever formula for 3ph lift capacity is just plain wrong.

I think a few mfgs make some twin spindle lighter units that are 84" wide and are offset. Of mowing fence edges is a concern, those are an option.

 

[airbiscuit]

The OP may need a heavy duty rotary cutter, or he may not. He and his budget will decide in the end.

I cut heavy brush with a 15hp tractor and a 4' Kingkutter to make trails. After that, it was a matter of cutting light brush and tall grass to maintain trails. If you're always cutting heavy brush, you are not maintaining/cutting frequently enough.

Again, I had zero issues with the Kingkutter. Obviously, I took t slow when cutting a trail for the first time. It just takes a little common sense - you just have to listen to your mower. Some people just do everything wide open and break equipment.

If the OP has the $$ to buy better, I think that's great. If not, buy what you can afford, be responsible when you operate, and get a lot done.

 

[joefromga]

There are also aluminum cutters available that are much lighter.

I think someone will eventually use some engineering and make a better bush hog instead of just throwing steel at the problem.

There's always a better way.

 

[smstonypoint]

There are also aluminum cutters available that are much lighter.

Example(s)?

Steve

 

[joefromga]

Maybe I have spoken too soon. But if I made them I'll bet they'd sell like crazy!

 

[LD1]

I doubt aluminum would hold up well to the abuses. Crap flying at high speeds under the deck would ding, gouge, and abrade the aluminum alot faster than steel

 

[Jim Timber]

For a number, a 2500# lift spec (when new) say at the lift arms, figured out 10' is only 250# of lift capability and at that the engine has to be at PTO rpms to get it.

Got anything that backs that statement up?

 

[aarolar]

This is a heavy duty cutter to me just to be clear. If it has less than a 7ga deck it's light duty IMO.

Brown 684 Extra Heavy Duty Brush Cutter with 84" Cut | 145 HP @ 540 RPM | Dual Tail Wheel | Brown Manufacturing | 800-633-8909

 

[LD1]

Done some more looking an I think there is no way the 110 is 86" wide. My 18k lbs Ford 5500 is only 81" and dad's 12k lb 4500 is 75". And the fact that the 110 only has a 6' FEL bucket.

I am guessing the 86" is the width of the outriggers when fully down? And am betting a 6' would cover your tracks....although just barley.

But given the weight of the machine, if you can find a good price on a 7' cutter either single or twin spindle, I would not be afraid to get one.

I am actually semi-looking for a 7' twin spindle for my much lighter 29hp rig. And if they made a lighter duty 8' twin, something In the 1000-1100# range and not 1800+ like I see, I would be looking for one of them instead. And if I get some things knkcked off the to-do list and still haven't sourced a 7' twin by then, I have aspirations of building a 8' twin that is lighter than current offerings.

 

[LD1]

For a reference, here is a light duty 5' KK (~500lbs) next to a 6' bushhog 306 (~1100lbs). And that wasnt even the heaviest offering from bushhog in that line. they made a 406 @ ~1500lbs. Had a beefier gearbox, 1/4" deck instead of 3/16", and 5/8 x 5 blades instead of 1/2 x 4

 

[smstonypoint]

Done some more looking an I think there is no way the 110 is 86" wide. My 18k lbs Ford 5500 is only 81" and dad's 12k lb 4500 is 75". And the fact that the 110 only has a 6' FEL bucket.

I am guessing the 86" is the width of the outriggers when fully down? And am betting a 6' would cover your tracks....although just barley.

I expressed my doubts about the 86" width in an earlier post, but the OP hasn't commented on the issue.:confused3:

Steve

Addendum: Stabilizer Spread - Operating 2,5 m (98 in.) from Specifications.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Agree. True heavier duty cutters come with better drive line components. Stronger gearbox, heavier stump jumper, more massive blades, etc. As well as thicker decks and sides, heavier tailwheel assemblies, and heavier hitch components.

No comparison between a light duty anything, and a try heavy duty unit from bushhog, landpride, woods, rhino, etc

I have not seen any difference in blades between light and heavy duty if the gear box is rated the same, not to say that there are not exceptions to this. I don't contend that every manufacturer provides the same components for every grade, just the ones that I checked. A 115 HP gear box and PTO shaft on a 6 foot shredder is going to be the same if the sheet metal is light gauge or 1/4" thick and they will both cut the same sized trees. Light duty might warp up a bit or dent the sides but that has nothing to do with the drive line. There isn't a lot of cost difference between a say 60HP gear box and a 100 HP one, the major cost of a bush hog is the steel decking and the bracing. The heavy duty one will have more bracing, thicker steel and the tail wheel steel heavier to carry the larger load. I haven't seen much difference in the tail wheel itself. Some have bushings while others have sealed bearings but the wheels seem to be the same, just the hub is different. My 306 model bush hog has dual tail wheel and 1/4" decking and side plates but I cant see any difference in the PTO shaft or gear box. I cant say as I have crawled under it to measure the stump jumper thickness though.

 

[ovrszd]

I have not seen any difference in blades between light and heavy duty if the gear box is rated the same, not to say that there are not exceptions to this. I don't contend that every manufacturer provides the same components for every grade, just the ones that I checked. A 115 HP gear box and PTO shaft on a 6 foot shredder is going to be the same if the sheet metal is light gauge or 1/4" thick and they will both cut the same sized trees. Light duty might warp up a bit or dent the sides but that has nothing to do with the drive line. There isn't a lot of cost difference between a say 60HP gear box and a 100 HP one, the major cost of a bush hog is the steel decking and the bracing. The heavy duty one will have more bracing, thicker steel and the tail wheel steel heavier to carry the larger load. I haven't seen much difference in the tail wheel itself. Some have bushings while others have sealed bearings but the wheels seem to be the same, just the hub is different. My 306 model bush hog has dual tail wheel and 1/4" decking and side plates but I cant see any difference in the PTO shaft or gear box. I cant say as I have crawled under it to measure the stump jumper thickness though.

In my searches, I find this to be true also.

I consider gear box first so I don't overpower it and ultimately destroy it. I consider chassis durability second to make sure it will withstand my use.

 

[Turbys_1700]

This is a heavy duty cutter to me just to be clear. If it has less than a 7ga deck it's light duty IMO.

Brown 684 Extra Heavy Duty Brush Cutter with 84" Cut | 145 HP @ 540 RPM | Dual Tail Wheel | Brown Manufacturing | 800-633-8909

If you look at the lower cost 400 series Browns they also have 7ga deck. They are the only company I know of that does not make a light duty unit to my knowledge.

Brown 416 Rotary Cutter with 6' / 72" Cut | 130 HP Gear Box | Single Tail Wheel | Brown Manufacturing | 800-633-8909

 

[aarolar]

Yep that's what I consider medium duty then light duty goes into 10 and 12 gauge sheet metal and 40hp gear boxes

 

[LD1]

My 306 model bush hog has dual tail wheel and 1/4" decking and side plates but I cant see any difference in the PTO shaft or gear box. I cant say as I have crawled under it to measure the stump jumper thickness though.

Compared to what?

Gearbox rating is typically where the cut capacity comes in. The 40-60hp gearboxes have smaller output shafts, and typically rated to cut up to 1-1/2" thick saplings.

The heavier 100+ HP gearboxes get ratings UP TO 4" cut capacity.

IF you are only rating the cutter for 1-1/2" capacity, no need for a super thick deck and sides. But If you are rating a cutter to mow over 4" stuff....you put a thicker deck and sides on it.

Dont know the dimensions or thickness either, but the stump jumper on the KK I have is a lot smaller and maybe weighs 10-15 lbs. and has 3/8" (maybe 1/2") x 3" blades attached. The 306 stump jumper prolly weighs 40# and has 1/2 x 4" blades. And as I mentioned, heavier cutters like the 406 have 5/8 x 5

I have never seen a 1-1/2" cutter and 40-60HP gearbox with a 3/16(7ga) or 1/4" deck. And likewise, I have never seen a cutter rated to cut 4" stuff with anything less than a 3/16 deck

 

[jd870]

Most Brown mowers are used by mowing contractors and tree services for right of way clearing for electric lines and pipelines.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Compared to what?

Gearbox rating is typically where the cut capacity comes in. The 40-60hp gearboxes have smaller output shafts, and typically rated to cut up to 1-1/2" thick saplings.

The heavier 100+ HP gearboxes get ratings UP TO 4" cut capacity.

IF you are only rating the cutter for 1-1/2" capacity, no need for a super thick deck and sides. But If you are rating a cutter to mow over 4" stuff....you put a thicker deck and sides on it.

Dont know the dimensions or thickness either, but the stump jumper on the KK I have is a lot smaller and maybe weighs 10-15 lbs. and has 3/8" (maybe 1/2") x 3" blades attached. The 306 stump jumper prolly weighs 40# and has 1/2 x 4" blades. And as I mentioned, heavier cutters like the 406 have 5/8 x 5

I have never seen a 1-1/2" cutter and 40-60HP gearbox with a 3/16(7ga) or 1/4" deck. And likewise, I have never seen a cutter rated to cut 4" stuff with anything less than a 3/16 deck

+ 1

SR

 

[aarolar]

Most Brown mowers are used by mowing contractors and tree services for right of way clearing for electric lines and pipelines.

That should tell you they are good quality.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Why would the gearbox be higher rated for a heavy duty cutter if you only need a certain hp to turn it?

Gearboxes are rated for continuous HP. A cutter blade hitting a tree, cinder block, stump etc produces a very high momentary load. Even if driven by a small tractor the inertia of the engine is capable of supplying that high load because the duty cycle is low and it regains speed between hits. If you set up shear pin protection too light you end up changing it all the time. The bushog gearbox sees the full high repetitive load. Because of this, a gearbox rated at below 2X tractor HP will be problematic if heavy material is encountered very often.