Best older 7' rotary cutter

   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #1  

LD1

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Apr 30, 2008
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Location
Central Ohio
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Kubota MX5100
Thinking about getting a 7' cutter for my mowing business.

Currently running a woods ds96 8' twin. Which does great on regulars that I mow 2-3 times a year. Knee to waist high stuff (weeds and grasses)and it leaves a great cut.

Still fighting with the stubborn stemmy stuff when it gets 4-6 feet tall. Goldenrod, ragweed, etc. No matter how slow I go, 2' stems pop right back up and leaves and unsightly cut. This is maybe 25% of my mowing. Rather than go at a snails pace and still curse the cutter, I just throw in the towel and and mow fast but mow twice in these stubborn areas.

So now I am considering getting a 7' cutter. I loose a foot of width, but gain a couple of feet of deck length. More time under the deck gives the stemmy stuff time to pop up into the blades. In these conditions that I am talking about, a single spindle 6' leaves a much better cut quality than my 8' twin. Was evident this past weekend when tackling a 20 acre CRP plot that dad helped me on with his 6' landpride. So if a 6' single spindle does better....a 7' single outta be better yet.

Dont want to spend $3-$4k on a new cutter. So looking for some of the "better" older ones to keep an eye out for. And which ones to avoid.

Currently within reasonable distance are

World-agritech IM702. 1270# cutter and 80hp gearbox is all I know. Dont know the gearbox ratio or blade tip speed. I think asking price is too high at $1800

Bushhog SQ840. 925# and 90HP gearbox. Lighter for sure. Looks in great shape, price $1500 seems reasonable

Deere 717. CAnnot find any specs on it. Looks clean and straight. No broke and bent metal. But only ~50% paint left on top. Cosmetics dont bother me though. A little more affordable at $1050 asking price.

These big 7' cutters seem to be a good bit tougher to track down than 5' or 6' cutters.

There is also a Bushhog 3008 for a reasonable price here local. Would be nice to have a backup to the DS96. But fear its gonna have the same downfall of cut quality when the stemmy stuff gets 4' or taller. It is also about 350# lighter than the ds96, but rated cut capacity and blade speed are all very similar.

Seeking the words of wisdom from the masses here.
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #2  
I could be wrong but I dont think World-agritech Corp still around . They use to be International /WAC then like a Hawkiline merge . I have owned lots of there stuff . Decent quality . Lots of World-agritech parts still around though espeicially in Ohio .

From what you have listed there I would try to negotiate for the BH SQ840 . I had a BH SQ172 and it was a very good unit , even though I didnt run mine commercially . https://store.germanbliss.com/bush-hog-sq840-squealer-rotary-cutter-parts

DN Equipment also stocks tons of parts for both of those units .
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I could be wrong but I dont think World-agritech Corp still around . They use to be International /WAC then like a Hawkiline merge . I have owned lots of there stuff . Decent quality . Lots of World-agritech parts still around though espeicially in Ohio .

From what you have listed there I would try to negotiate for the BH SQ840 . I had a BH SQ172 and it was a very good unit , even though I didnt run mine commercially . Bush Hog SQ84 Squealer Rotary Cutter Parts Products - German Bliss Online Store

DN Equipment also stocks tons of parts for both of those units .

Not really concerned about parts. No matter what older cutter I get, as long as I can get blades its all good. Any of these, if they blow a gearbox the repair is likely going to consist of an aftermarket gearbox that I'd retro-fit. And metal/structure, I can fix all that regardless of brand/color. So that dont scare me about the IM702. But just didnt know how good they "were". I have always though of IM/WAC/etc as more of a second tier stuff, similar to KK, Titan, Kodiak, etc
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #4  
Thats why for what your going to be needing it for I suggested the BH SQ840 from your list even though a bit lighter .
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #5  
One would think anything woods or BH would be a pretty decent used in a 7ft.Heavy duty cutter.
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #6  
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #7  
go flail.

Sorry, but the tires push it down and it won't pop back up when it's 3 feet tall quickly enough for the brush hog to get it.

A flail does much better - not perfect in some cases (dry is better than wet) but much better.

get hammer blades over grass blades (y blades) but both will work.

get hydraulic offset if you have rear remotes - lets you get over banks and under fences PLUS you can mow with one tire on the already mowed stuff so less to be missed to pop back up.
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter
  • Thread Starter
#8  
go flail.

Sorry, but the tires push it down and it won't pop back up when it's 3 feet tall quickly enough for the brush hog to get it.

A flail does much better - not perfect in some cases (dry is better than wet) but much better.

get hammer blades over grass blades (y blades) but both will work.

get hydraulic offset if you have rear remotes - lets you get over banks and under fences PLUS you can mow with one tire on the already mowed stuff so less to be missed to pop back up.

Though the novelty of trying a flail has crossed my mind. I do not see it as a viable option for a commercial mowing business. They are too expensive, too high maintenance, less durable, and much slower mowing in Comparison to a rotary
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #9  
JD 709 one of the best ever made. I seem them regularly around $1500.
Don't waste money on a flail. They have their place, it's not in tall bushey/grass..
 
   / Best older 7' rotary cutter #10  
A seller on Tractorhouse has a Bush Hog 297 for $800. These have a 130HP gear box, 15,000FPM blade speed and weigh over 1300 lbs. Rated to cut 3"
 
 

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