Rotary Cutter Is a rotory mower the same as a bush hog?

[biffo]

Live in Europe so not sure of the correct name used in the US. I want to buy a rotary mower to mow 2 small fields, and in rural France small fields are small, maybe 2 acres for the two. The surface is uneven as previously used for cattle and has not had cattle or been mown for 3 years so a bit of a mess. Read a bit about bush hogs which sound like they're made for rough clearance, but are regular rotary mowers the same thing as a bush hog?

I use a 35 hp Kubota and was thinking of 5' or 6' mower. I want to mow maybe only twice each year as there are other areas we maintain in a lot more detail. Heavy duty rotaries are expensive compared with the US and as we are in the US for 5 weeks in a couple of weeks time was going to take a look and check if any companies ship to Europe, so looking for recommendations too if that's ok?

Thanks for any help

 

[jeff9366]

Rotary Mower/Cutter is an implement. Bush Hog is the registered trademark for the firm which invented the Rotary Cutter in the state of Georgia about 1955.

LINK: Over 60 years of proven performance!


I pull a Land Pride (brand) 60", medium duty Rotary Cutter behind my Kubota L3560 / 37-horsepower. Land Pride works great up to 36" grass height. It slows down cutting grass longer than 36" but still does the job.

Your grass may be different from my grass.

Yes, Rotary Cutters are designed for mowing rough pastures. They are nearly indestructible when matched by weight to the task to be accomplished.

 

[mcfarmall]

I thought the Europeans called them "slashers" ...or maybe it was the Aussies...

 

[biffo]

Thank you Jeff, understand now.

It was an exceptional year this year, average grass and weed height was about 5' at it's peak, so will a medium duty cope even if slow? Also, what sort of national sales outlets would I look for for good technical information and supply?
We are travelling via Amtrak, Greyhound and in the mid west to the south a car rental. The last is where we are flexible to call into dealers.

Thank you again

 

[biffo]

I thought the Europeans called them "slashers" ...or maybe it was the Aussies...

That sounds very Aussie, have family there and it's the sort of name they would use

 

[smstonypoint]

Thank you Jeff, understand now.

It was an exceptional year this year, average grass and weed height was about 5' at it's peak, so will a medium duty cope even if slow? Also, what sort of national sales outlets would I look for for good technical information and supply?
We are travelling via Amtrak, Greyhound and in the mid west to the south a car rental. The last is where we are flexible to call into dealers.

Thank you again

The major manufacturers include Bush Hog, Land Pride, and Woods, among others. The rotary cutters are sold through tractor dealers for the most part, rather than directly by the manufacturers. An exception is Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer.

The major manufacturers provide technical info and dealer locators on their Web sites. You will have to visit dealers if you want to inspect the cutters.

I have my doubts about whether it would be cost effective to have a single cutter shipped to Europe, but that is just a hunch on my part.

Steve

 

[biffo]

Just found the UK name for tow behind rotary mowers, topper. The price for what doesn't look as heavy duty as similar land pride ones are pretty much similar. There isn't a massive choice in the UK, some Italian models which appear good quality but still tiny gearboxes and relatively light. Most appear to use a single blade with pivoting knives at each end, don't know if this is a good idea but guess it allows for shocks to the blade to be dissipated.
When I get back to the UK next week I'll try to take a look but this sort of stock tends to be to order rather than walk into a showroom and see mowers in stock.

In general, what names should I look for good tractor dealers, are some better than others?

 

[Wagtail]

I thought the Europeans called them "slashers" ...or maybe it was the Aussies...

Yep, they're called a 'slasher' down here... call it anything else and you'll get a quizzical look.

Somewhat like all of the (imagined) quizzical looks you give me with my dinky-di 'Aussie-isms'.

 

[jeff9366]

It was an exceptional year this year, average grass and weed height was about 5' at it's peak, so will a medium duty cope even if slow?

YES, a medium duty R/C will cut 60" grass slowly, especially if you have hydrostatic (HST) transmission. Medium duty will cope with grass and saplings up to about 1- 1/2" diameter. Heavy duty will cope with grass and small trees up to 2-1/2" diameter but I do not believe 37-hp will power a HD R/C.

I provided Bush Hog's manufacture's link in Post #2. Did you open the LINK?

SMSTONEYPOINT provided additional brands names which you can easily Google, in Post #6.

I concur with SMSTONYPOINT that you may have the most luck with everytfhingattachments.com, which does direct manufacturer-to-consumer marketing. I have several of their implements which are high quality. They export at least occasionally.

You can purchase from ETA via the web. They welcome visitors at their plant with advance notice.

LINKS (2): Rotary Cutters For 3 Point Hitch of Tractors For Sale

Contact Us

 

[motownbrowne]

If all you want to do is mow grass and weeds in a pasture, even a light duty model will suffice. If you're going to have to import one, then I'd probably buy a medium duty because it'll last longer and be more versatile. Also, the shipping would be less of the total purchase price, which would make me feel better about it, but that's just me. If you can buy a light or medium duty Italian model at home, that's probably the way to go.

 

[smstonypoint]

Also, the shipping would be less of the total purchase price, which would make me feel better about it, but that's just me.

An application of the "shipping the good apples out" theorem (Alchian–Allen effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Steve

 

[biffo]

Thanks again, good points and yes I opened all links. It will probably be the shipping and not the price that will de-rail the idea if anything does. In this instance still see the US products as far better value for money and attachments that appear as though they are built for the job rather than the European made ones, but could of course be wrong.

I've made a couple of enquiries about shipping, will wait and see.

 

[motownbrowne]

An application of the "shipping the good apples out" theorem (Alchian–Allen effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Steve

Huh, I guess it's not just me, then.

That's something that makes perfect sense to me, but I'd never heard of a term for it, much less a theorem.

Thank you for linking to that.

 

[Wagtail]

An application of the "shipping the good apples out" theorem (Alchian泡llen effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Steve

G'day Steve! Not to disprove the theorem but I've not had a Californian wine in years... probably 'cause I'm in an 'Australian Wine Club' that keeps me well supplied with the local plonk'.

Oh, and I've been saving this one for a while:

 

[jeff9366]

I once shipped a BMW motorcycle from Lima, Peru, to Mexico City. To my surprise, AIR FREIGHT was cheaper than sea transportation.

 

[LD1]

It might help to tell us what tractor you have. You said a 35HP kubota.....but your avatar lists a 16hp B7100.

AS to the term, for all-intents-and-purposes, rotary cutter and bushhog are one in the same. While technically though....bushhog is the brand, and rotary cutter is what it is.

No different than calling
and adjustable wrench a crescent wrench
slip joint pliers being called channelocks
locking pliers being called vice grips
hex keys being called allen wrenches
etc etc.

Regarding light vs medium vs heavy duty.....

They will all clip pasture grass well. Meduim and heavy duty cutters are made with bigger heavier blades and gearboxes, and thicker metal. So they will stand up to occasionally hitting a rock, or mowing over some tree saplings alot better. But they cost more....

The horsepower required to run the cutter dont care weather its a heavy duty cutter with thicker metal, or a light cutter. What you are cutting and how fast you go is gonna determine the HP required.

Reason why I ask what tractor you have, is because you are asking about a pretty broad range of cutters. And in a pretty broad range of tractor sizes just saying a 35HP kubota. A light 5' cutter can be down a round 450-500 pounds. And a heavy 6' can go north of 1400 pounds. And Your could be a 2200# 2wd machine, or you could have a 3400# 4wd machine with loader.

A medium duty ~900-1000# cutter on the lighter end of the 35hp tractors isnt gonna work well without a front loader, or front weights. Where as it would be handled just find on the heavy end of kubotas 35hp tractors.

 

[IslandTractor]

It would be silly to ship a rotary mower from the US to Europe. European equivalent mowers are flail mowers which can cut any grass and small brush that a rotary mower can cut. Yes, a heavy duty bush hog on a powerful tractor will cut bigger trees and tolerate hitting rocks a bit better but for a three year overgrown pasture a flail mower will do a much better job. Rotary mowers are not popular in Europe because there is little land that is abandoned for decades. Three years between mowings does not require a bush hog or slasher to clear.

There are multiple flail mower manufacturers in Europe, oddly most are in northern Italy, and we actually import a good percentage of the flail mowers sold here in the US from Italy. Caroni is one company. I own a Caroni TM1900 flail that is used for exactly the type of mowing the OP described. Great machine. Much safer than a rotary mower and much better cut. Flail mowers come in both finish and rough cut versions. For mowing pastures you'd want a rough cut type. Finish flails are for lawns, golf courses and athletic fields

 

[LD1]

Not saying flails dont have their place, but if one is considering them, I encourage them do do as much reading as possible before deciding. Sure, flails "can" cut better. But require more HP, slower going, more expensive to buy, and higher maintenance.

 

[IslandTractor]

Not saying flails dont have their place, but if one is considering them, I encourage them do do as much reading as possible before deciding. Sure, flails "can" cut better. But require more HP, slower going, more expensive to buy, and higher maintenance.

Yes there are pros and cons. However, a flail in Europe would be much cheaper than an imported rotary. Medium duty rotary from good company costs about $2000 which is exactly the cost of a medium duty rough flail. Flails don't really require more HP. Slower cutting speed only if you want finish like cut otherwise operator comfort is the limiting factor in light to medium grass. Tall and thick grass will slow down either mower. Definitely higher maintenance for flail as bearings need grease every day but that is a three minute task. Changing or replacing lost knives on a flail occasionally is certainly something that is almost never needed with rotary.

Rotary mowers are simply not that popular in Europe. Gotta believe there is a good reason. Safety is my guess as rotary mowers are much more dangerous when used near people or structures or vehicles. Rotary mowers got their start in the US where agricultural areas are often more remote from human habitation than in Europe.

 

[k0ua]

An application of the "shipping the good apples out" theorem (Alchian–Allen effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Steve

Thank you for that explanation and link Steve. I have never seen it explained before.