New tractor purchase

[cathy liebchen]

Disagree. Yes, shear pins are common on smaller 4 and 5 ft rotary cutters. The idea that they are "less maintenance" is the opposite of my experience. Slip clutches are reliable, once set correctly protect your driveline forever with no dicking around with them. They are standard on ALL larger cutters for a reason. Simply cutting corners and holding down price when shear bolts are used on the smaller cutters. Shear bolts if they ever get the slightest bit loose WILL shear. They are a PITA to replace. Often metric versus English confusion. Get the wrong one and have to replace it again. Unless they fit real snug they keep on shearing and = blasted nuisances. Any normal slip clutch adjusted to the instructions ONCE will squeak instantly when you suddenly engage the cutter and that becomes your familiar audible sign that all is well. I have had hours of wasted nuisance time with shear bolts. Never ever any maintenance waste of time with a slip clutch.

Nothing wrong with Woods. Basic cutters. If you are going to use the cutter a huge amount as your main tool then it is worth it to shop more. I recommend you shop around and find a cutter that is a little stronger and you really like. Many good brands. Bush Hog, Landpride, Deere, Kodiak, etc. all good. You pretty much get what you pay for too. Depends a lot on your intended use (light brush, weeds, heavier brush, saplings, grass, etc.) as well as how much of your time.

Brown makes the heaviest duty cutter. It’s a lifetime purchase

 

[hornett22]

That's what I have. If I were to do it again I would go with a 48" instead. All that extra 6 inches does is cost a bit more and add to the weight; it really isn't necessary.

That 2610 is a nice sized tractor. If I'd had more time to look around a few years ago when I realized I needed to upgrade I would have looked at a geared version of it... Kubotas of that size don't have a live PTO. I don't worry about emissions the way that some here do, but the specs are very similar to my old Kubota L275, which I really liked. I've only had my 3301 about three years and still haven't gotten used to the hydro. I still sometimes find myself clutching to stop, but at least I don't stall it as much as I used to.

The weight difference isn't that much and it's nice to have the ability to see it. I have the 60" because at the time, it was all they had in stock. I'm glad I got the 60".

 

[Duds13]

That's what I have. If I were to do it again I would go with a 48" instead. All that extra 6 inches does is cost a bit more and add to the weight; it really isn't necessary.

That 2610 is a nice sized tractor. If I'd had more time to look around a few years ago when I realized I needed to upgrade I would have looked at a geared version of it... Kubotas of that size don't have a live PTO. I don't worry about emissions the way that some here do, but the specs are very similar to my old Kubota L275, which I really liked. I've only had my 3301 about three years and still haven't gotten used to the hydro. I still sometimes find myself clutching to stop, but at least I don't stall it as much as I used to.

The 54" is only $50 more than the 48". I can't imagine it weighs much more either.

 

[hornett22]

I'm not completely opposed to a slip clutch but they have been known to seize if not used regularly. Could be catastrophic damage if it doesn't slip.

Shear pins will ALWAYS shear.

 

[ptsg]

I'm not completely opposed to a slip clutch but they have been known to seize if not used regularly. Could be catastrophic damage if it doesn't slip.

Shear pins will ALWAYS shear.

I 100% agree with this. Specially if it's an implement that sits for long periods of time in between use. For something used regularly, a slip clutch will work just fine.

On the other hand, I would probably get fed up really quickly with that style of shear pin you guys use there, where the broken piece gets stuck in the input shaft of the gearbox.

This is the style we use here and it's just a breeze to use. Easy, fast and simple to change the shear bolt. Just two wrenches needed and a set of pliers to take the nut off the broken stub if you're cheap as me that reuse the nut a couple times before swapping to a new one.

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[Hoodoo]

Wanted to provide an update. Put down a deposit on a the Kioti CK2610 today. Got the FEL and 60" rotary cutter, and had a few other options added as well. Going to order a 54" grapple from MTL attachments too. Should hopefully take delivery of the tractor in April! Many to thanks to everyone here for providing advice and knowledge. I'll post pics when I have it!

Congrats! I just received my 2610 a week ago and have been sleeping in it ever since..... I got the FEL, Operator Canopy and Box Scraper. Will pick up a rotary cutter used when I see one (my neighbor got a used one from a rental place for $150). So far, other than basic property maintenance, I've even cleared a rear acre to use as a riding arena. That would have taken me months to do by hand! I love tractors.....

 

[Tx Jim]

I'm not completely opposed to a slip clutch but they have been known to seize if not used regularly. Could be catastrophic damage if it doesn't slip.

Shear pins will ALWAYS shear.

PTO slip clutches need periodic service to be sure the plates haven't seized. These preventive services are very similar to changing engine & trans oils.

 

[hornett22]

PTO slip clutches need periodic service to be sure the plates haven't seized. These preventive services are very similar to changing engine & trans oils.

I'm completely aware of that. If you forget or don't use your rotary cutter often, it could be bad news.

Shear bolts ALWAYS work. Always.

 

[hornett22]

I 100% agree with this. Specially if it's an implement that sits for long periods of time in between use. For something used regularly, a slip clutch will work just fine.

On the other hand, I would probably get fed up really quickly with that style of shear pin you guys use there, where the broken piece gets stuck in the input shaft of the gearbox.

This is the style we use here and it's just a breeze to use. Easy, fast and simple to change the shear bolt. Just two wrenches needed and a set of pliers to take the nut off the broken stub if you're cheap as me that reuse the nut a couple times before swapping to a new one.

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I keep a big punch and hammer on hand. Only time I've had difficulty is when someone uses a higher grade bolt than a shear bolt. Then they tend to bend as well as shear. Can require quite a bit more persuasion.

 

[Duds13]

You guys are making me wish i got a cutter without a slip clutch! lol