Ideas for rotary cutter build

[deanwerden]

I would like to build a rotary cutter for my compact tractor , 4 feet wide but would like to use 2, 2ft blades to keep the length down, I always though a compact with a 4ft rotary cutter looked ridiculous. My idea was to either buy one gearbox and connect it to the blades with either sprockets or belts. I am wondering if a gearbox could be eliminated with the use of a double or triple v belt arrangement that wraps up 90 degrees with a hub for the pto shaft. This cutter will be used mostly for tall grass with the occasional sapling probably no more than 1". I have cut the same area of long grass with my mid mower before fully raised and It did OK but was slow going. I just see no reason why a double belt arrangement wouldn't work as my mid mower only uses one belt and will stall the engine out before the belt slips (as far as I can tell).

My idea is to use 2 flanged bearings spaced a few inches apart for the blade shafts, bottom will have a hub for blades and top obviously a pulley . I will then build a small platform where I can mount 2 more pillow blocks with a small stub shaft that will have a pulley on the rear and the front will have the pto shaft facing the rear of the tractor. Then I will obviously need a few idler pulleys to make the turn 90 degrees .

Thoughts? Any reason this kind of setup wouldn't work?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Sounds like a complex solution to a simple problem. 2-2' blades is probably larger than what would come on a 48" shredder? Those cutters are usually pretty compact anyways. What it sounds like your wanting to build is more like a rear finish mower but that can handle a 1" sapling. Have you used a 38" rotary cutter and don't like it or you just want a project to work on?

I really like the KISS method and to not reinvent the wheel

Brett

 

[flusher]

Buy a used 4-foot brush hog for a few hundred bucks and rebuild it to your specifications. You can sharpen the blade to give a cut like a riding mower or you can grind the cutting edge with a larger radius to cut brush.

 

[Shaneard]

Think you can realistically build something for less than $850? Here's a 4' mower at Agri-Supply for $849.99

4 Ft Finishing Mower, 3 Point Mower, Rotary Mower

Personally I think if you mow a 1" tree with anything with a 2' blade and a belt you will have bad results for your blade or your belt. My dad had a 5' 3 pt. hitch mower and every time he decided to mow the "thick" grass he would have to buy an expensive belt. If you want a 4' bush hog get a 4' bush hog, if you want a 4' mower get a 4' mower. I think you will have a lot of time, effort & money in something you can already buy for not a lot more or less than you will have in it doing it your self.

 

[deanwerden]

Sounds like a complex solution to a simple problem. 2-2' blades is probably larger than what would come on a 48" shredder? Those cutters are usually pretty compact anyways. What it sounds like your wanting to build is more like a rear finish mower but that can handle a 1" sapling. Have you used a 38" rotary cutter and don't like it or you just want a project to work on?

I really like the KISS method and to not reinvent the wheel

Brett

Yes you are correct I am essentially looking at building a rear finish mower that can take care of a few saplings in the way. Similar concept to the big 8'+ bush hogs that are sometimes a 2 blade design. I am going to build one either way just thought this design would take up less space both when in use and in storage.

 

[deanwerden]

Think you can realistically build something for less than $850? Here's a 4' mower at Agri-Supply for $849.99

4 Ft Finishing Mower, 3 Point Mower, Rotary Mower

Personally I think if you mow a 1" tree with anything with a 2' blade and a belt you will have bad results for your blade or your belt. My dad had a 5' 3 pt. hitch mower and every time he decided to mow the "thick" grass he would have to buy an expensive belt. If you want a 4' bush hog get a 4' bush hog, if you want a 4' mower get a 4' mower. I think you will have a lot of time, effort & money in something you can already buy for not a lot more or less than you will have in it doing it your self.

I am not looking for a finish mower I am looking to build a rotary cutter with a similar design to this

1 foot bushhog - Bing images

 

[jeff9366]

Buy a used 4-foot brush hog for a few hundred bucks and rebuild it to your specifications. You can sharpen the blade to give a cut like a riding mower or you can grind the cutting edge with a larger radius to cut brush.

Y E S .

 

[oldnslo]

If the blades are not allowed to free swing like a brush hog what happens when you hit more solid like a sapling? If going slow enough it will probably chew through it. If a little to solid what gives at that point? Blade bend, belts slip, stub shaft bends, etc..

 

[deanwerden]

If the blades are not allowed to free swing like a brush hog what happens when you hit more solid like a sapling? If going slow enough it will probably chew through it. If a little to solid what gives at that point? Blade bend, belts slip, stub shaft bends, etc..

the blades will be free swinging like bush hog

 

[Shaneard]

I am not looking for a finish mower I am looking to build a rotary cutter with a similar design to this

1 foot bushhog - Bing images

A bush hog has no belt. Mowers have belts. There are reasons for this. Good luck with whatever you decide!