Need help sizing a rotary cutter

[Apsterbobed]

Hello all, I am in the market for a rotary cutter and was looking for some sizing opinions. I have a DK40SE HST 32 hp at the pto. Currently I have a landpride RFM1672, 6' finish mower. The finish mower is up for sale. I have talked to a few dealers and a local farmers, most of the dealers say a 6' will be fine. One dealer who I know is also a farmer said 6' was too much and recommended a 5'. The farmer I asked also said 5' but he told me that he had a 7' on a 60hp (engine) and the cutter was too big (tractor was a loaner while his was down). He didn't have any experience with a smaller setup and wasnt sure but thought 6' seemed big. I would like to stay at 6' to clear my tires but don't want to be too underpowered. 90% of what I mow is horse pastures (about 8 acres), we mow them once a month give or take, 12 to 18 inches cut down to 6ish inches (highest caster setting). The remaining mowing will be our woods trails. Mostly grass and the encroaching forest (small saplings). I don't plan on mowing brush, just keeping the trails open. I wanted opinions from people with a similar sized tractor, thanks in advance.

 

[DK35vince]

6' would be fine IMO.
I run a 6' King Kutter standard duty cutter on my DK 35 and it handles it fine.
Also runs a 7' rear finish mower no problem.

 

[Apsterbobed]

That's good to hear, the mower I have been looking it is the woods BB72X. The best price I have gotten so far is $2300 not including tax.

 

[carmedic310]

Im thinking you should stay with a 5' as far as the woods brand goes.They are very heavy cutters to begin with.Word to the wise if you purchase a woods and do a lot of mowing.Weld plates from the frame to the deck underneath the bushog before use.If you dont and you hit something the blades will deflect and cut the frame in half(i know this from experience)

 

[DK35vince]

Im thinking you should stay with a 5' as far as the woods brand goes.They are very heavy cutters to begin with.Word to the wise if you purchase a woods and do a lot of mowing.Weld plates from the frame to the deck underneath the bushog before use.If you dont and you hit something the blades will deflect and cut the frame in half(i know this from experience)

According to Woods the BB72x weighs 804 lbs.Product Details
I wouldn't be afraid to run that on my DK 35.
The 6' King Kutter I'm running on a DK 35 now weighs around 700 lbs if I remember right. I don't think my 35 HP tractor would have an issue with an 800lb mower.

 

[Apsterbobed]

Im thinking you should stay with a 5' as far as the woods brand goes.They are very heavy cutters to begin with.Word to the wise if you purchase a woods and do a lot of mowing.Weld plates from the frame to the deck underneath the bushog before use.If you dont and you hit something the blades will deflect and cut the frame in half(i know this from experience)

This is interesting to hear! I will keep that in mind. Would you recommend a 6' in a different brand?

According to Woods the
BB72x weighs 804 lbs.Product Details
I wouldn't be afraid to run that on my DK 35.
The 6' King Kutter I'm running on a DK 35 now weighs around 700 lbs if I remember right. I don't think my 35 HP tractor would have an issue with an 800lb mower.

I'm not overly concerned with the overall weight of the cutter, it's more if I have the HP to spin the weight of the blades and stump jumper and still have enough HP left to cut while moving at a reasonable speed.

 

[motownbrowne]

Since your tractor is hydrostatic, I don't think the difference between a 5 and 6 foot will matter. You'll have power to spin either. You can get the 5' and mow a little faster (ground speed that is), or you can get the 6' and mow a little slower, but cut a wider pass each time. Personally, I'd choose the slower ground speed because it will be more enjoyable for the operator.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm not overly concerned with the overall weight of the cutter, it's more if I have the HP to spin the weight of the blades and stump jumper and still have enough HP left to cut while moving at a reasonable speed.

Your original post doesn't sound like you are cutting anything that power will be an issue with the 6'er.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I think you'll be fine with a BB72. I run my BB720X at reduced power because I don't need to use full throttle and my cutter is heavier.

 

[Apsterbobed]

That's what I had thought originally (having enough power for a 6') but after a few people told me go 5 I thought I should ask here. I currently have a 6' finish mower and most of the time I have no problems cutting the pastures, there are a few spots I have to go slow where it grows 2x as fast as the majority of our land. What I don't know is what requires more HP to do the same job at the same speed, the finish mower or the rotary cutter?

Eric, that's good to hear.

 

[flusher]

You should be OK with a 6-ft hog. Since you're operating near the limit of your pto hp, just make sure you check the slip clutch on the mower's pto shaft to be sure it's adjusted correctly. If you start cutting saplings with that mower, you want that slip clutch to work properly when you stall mower, which you probably will do occasionally while working in the woods.

The operating manual for your mower will lay out the procedure. Or just search TBN for threads on this topic.

Good luck and be careful out there.

 

[Apsterbobed]

I have read about slip clutches, they seem pretty easy to work on.

 

[LD1]

Even one of the heavier 6' units should work just fine. I have a 1100# 6' cutter on a much smaller tractor. As long as the loader is on, no issues

 

[Apsterbobed]

I think you all have me convinced to go with a 6', thanks for all the advice.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

That's what I had thought originally (having enough power for a 6') but after a few people told me go 5 I thought I should ask here. I currently have a 6' finish mower and most of the time I have no problems cutting the pastures, there are a few spots I have to go slow where it grows 2x as fast as the majority of our land. What I don't know is what requires more HP to do the same job at the same speed, the finish mower or the rotary cutter?

Eric, that's good to hear.

Banging down heavy grass, or in my case, cat tails takes more power than running down brush.

 

[ecruzin]

I run a 5ft King Kutter behind my DK45 and its no problem at all. I would not hesitate putting a 6 ft behind it.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

I pull a 7 foot rhino brush mower with my DK 45 HST. There are times when I might have to lift the mower height but most of the time slowing down is enough. I prefer wider and slower. I have a 6 foot finishing mower but in anything but short grass the brush mower does as good or better and faster.

 

[IslandTractor]

I use a 5ft BrushBull600 on my DK40se. Only reason is that I found it used in excellent condition for $900 and couldn't find a similar six footer for near that price. It works well for me as I use it only for tough brush clearing. I use a six foot flail for light brush and mowing.

 

[Apsterbobed]

I use a 5ft BrushBull600 on my DK40se. Only reason is that I found it used in excellent condition for $900 and couldn't find a similar six footer for near that price. It works well for me as I use it only for tough brush clearing. I use a six foot flail for light brush and mowing.

$900 is a great price, I haven't even seen a decent 4 for that!

 

[LD1]

$900 is a great price, I haven't even seen a decent 4 for that!

4' cutters seem to always go for more than 5' cutters. Just not as many of them around, and not as popular. Same with 6' cutters. But 5' ers are plentiful about everywhere.