Rotary Cutter Discussion

[LouNY]

UPDATE:

Just wanted to update on the TSC County Line 6' Rotary Cutter. This is the TSC Branded 200 series cutter made by Tarter. I mowed a bit more this past weekend, broke two sheer bolts (pins?) within the first 30 min... granted, this was MY fault, not seeing dirt clumps. I found that running in 540 at 2300 engine rpm, this cutter runs great! Wound up cutting a total of 2 hours, not breaking the sheer pin for the last 90 min.

Ordered the Front and Rear Chain Guards from Tarter. The tech there said that Tarter only puts them on their 300 series rotary cutter, but the bolts "SHOULD" line up.

Got the Chain Guards in yesterday. The box was ripped open during shipping but all parts made it to me, save for 4 carriage bolts.

The chain guards look to be very well made, and a cursory fitment before the bottom fell out (TS Debby) shows that they bolt holes DO line up.

I'm happy with this cutter, but I have nothing to compare it with. One note, the grease fitting that is located on the tail will was missing, I bought one from Lowes, only to find out the threads are stripped. So, I will tap them for the next size up, and put a larger grease fitting in. Not a show stopper, but a mild annoyance.

Does the cutter work? Yes. It's balanced well, it's relatively quiet (at least it is to me), and after I add the chain guards it will be where I want it. I'm also looking at adding a PTO shaft with a slipper clutch, just because. Now... cost. I got a good deal out the door from TSC, but the upgrades put that cost savings into a negative. I'm still money ahead, even after the upgrades, but it's still only a 45 hp gear box with a 12 ga top deck.

If you are on the fence with spending $3700 or more on a more heavy duty cutter, VS this one, just consider what it would cost to make this one the same as that $3700 one.

I will add pics once the rain stops, and I get the chain guards installed.

Cheers!

DMack Sends.

You may not have stripped threads for your grease fittings, much of the lower cost implements may have drive in grease zerks they will look similar to threaded ones but just drive in, more like a barbed hose fitting.

 

[Darth_DMack]

You may not have stripped threads for your grease fittings, much of the lower cost implements may have drive in grease zerks they will look similar to threaded ones but just drive in, more like a barbed hose fitting.
View attachment 883838

@LouNY
Thank you for this! Now that you say this, that is exactly what I have. It was missing, so I had no clue. Much appreciated!!!

 

[deserteagle71]

I mowed a bit more this past weekend, broke two sheer bolts (pins?) within the first 30 min... granted, this was MY fault, not seeing dirt clumps.

Kind of surprised to hear about the broken shear pins. I've been using my General (Rhino SE-6 clone) for 25 years now and have broken only one shear pin in all that time. And that was not from hitting mounds of dirt (my place is covered with huge mounds created by badgers, the mower just levels them out) but from inadvertently engaging the PTO when the tractor engine was turning at speed and the cutter not rotating at all.

Here's a pic of my old mower blades versus a set of new ones...those old blades mowed a lot of dirt and rocks!

 

[Darth_DMack]

Kind of surprised to hear about the broken shear pins. I've been using my General (Rhino SE-6 clone) for 25 years now and have broken only one shear pin in all that time. And that was not from hitting mounds of dirt (my place is covered with huge mounds created by badgers, the mower just levels them out) but from inadvertently engaging the PTO when the tractor engine was turning at speed and the cutter not rotating at all.

Here's a pic of my old mower blades versus a set of new ones...those old blades mowed a lot of dirt and rocks!
View attachment 883925

I'm running at 2300 engine RPM on a 55 hp tractor, 47 hp PTO... don't know if that makes any difference. This cutter has sheered 3 since I began with it. I'm surprised as well, because I really don't think I hit anything out of scope... Good thing it's super easy to change. I'm definitely looking at adding a slipper clutch...

 

[Darth_DMack]

Here is the front and rear chain guards... Will install once the storm passes!

 

[big bubba]

nice rig. what is the deck height, & max spec cutting height of material at hand?
construction looks similar to Servis/Rhino back when, regards

 

[Darth_DMack]

nice rig. what is the deck height, & max spec cutting height of material at hand?
construction looks similar to Servis/Rhino back when, regards

That's a good question Big Bubba... unfortunately, I don't have the answer off the top of my head. The manual that came with the unit, is not the "best" I've seen. I can take some measurements when I get home today... it's definitely a decent unit for the price. I plan to beef it up as needed, in time with use. So far, it's been a good low cost "learning tool" for me.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Those light duty rotary cutters like that, are generally rated for 1" or smaller brush.

SR

 

[big bubba]

just wondering if the deck height fell into the regular bush hog depth or that of a finish mower. regardless, you have a fine mower. do take care eventually removing blades for service, etc, always block the unit. i never crawl under the deck w/a grinder, recommend removing, clamp, & dress w/angle grinder, regards
& for tall stuff, i like to make 2 passes, one high, then low

 

[Darth_DMack]

Those light duty rotary cutters like that, are generally rated for 1" or smaller brush.

SR

Yes Sir, I've been pretty careful with what I subject it to. So far, it's been fitting my needs well. It does cut very nicely, and aside from breaking a few sheer pins (bolts) early on, it does a nice job. I'm not going to use it for anything very heavy... once I get the first cut, it will be easy to maintain my areas. I have a lot of heavily wooded acerage that I am leaving natural for the most part. It's mostly grooming around the immediate area of my property, close to my residential clearings.