Are there any 2515 or 3515 Branson owners with 6ft rotary cutter

[aesanders]

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Here is pretty much what i have to deal with. Some places have a little more grass.
Last time i mowed it at the end of march, beginning of April. With this year's heat i doubt i'll need to mow it till next spring

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That looks perfect for a flail mower with hammer blades. Wouldn’t want to try mowing with a rotary cutter in that tight an area. The rotary and especially a 6’ adds a lot of length to a tractor. Flail keeps it in tight. In fact, if you have 10+ acres of that, I see you going back to the zero turn just because it will zip around all those trees way quicker than a tractor. But between a rotary cutter and flail, I’d go flail hands down for that space.

 

[2515R Dude]

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That looks perfect for a flail mower with hammer blades. Wouldn’t want to try mowing with a rotary cutter in that tight an area. The rotary and especially a 6’ adds a lot of length to a tractor. Flail keeps it in tight. In fact, if you have 10+ acres of that, I see you going back to the zero turn just because it will zip around all those trees way quicker than a tractor. But between a rotary cutter and flail, I’d go flail hands down for that space.

I guess, you skipped my post where i told that currently i use ZT, but the problem is my back, ZT has much tougher ride for me and my back is not holding it anymore.
The flail mower IMO is overkill for what i have to do . Also, if you think it is tight, it is impression picture gives. It is plenty of room to maneuver.
Now i start thinking about finish mower. If ZT can do it, finish mower also can, am i right?

 

[Yander]

Yeah, that is pretty light, wouldn't take much hp to mow that. I would get some clover seed and start in there and not mow all of it though. Nice looking property.

 

[2515R Dude]

Yeah, that is pretty light, wouldn't take much hp to mow that. I would get some clover seed and start in there and not mow all of it though. Nice looking property.

Yes, thank you, i have 3 parts like this to maintain 15-20 acres combined. The rest is hay fields about 20-25 acres and some parts open flat spaces with just grass which is easy to mow with ZT.
My main problem is this wooded area. It is steep sometimes, not very even ground where ZT jumps too much making my back even worst.
Would clover grow in such shady area? Also, every fall there is a heavy cover of fallen leaves which would prevent growing anything, wouldn't it?
The only thing which growers underneath those trees are saplings 90%. They would grow anyways, clover is not going to prevent it, so still need to maintain it.

 

[ning]

I agree that the rotary impacts maneuverability substantially.
Tractors already have a very short wheelbase and can make a very snug U-turn, but the back end of the rotary is swinging really really wide, but that's definitely your call.
The tractor will drive the rotary with the load you're showing us just fine; whether it's the right instrument isn't being asked but once again I'd advise seeing if you can fit a borrowed or rented unit so you can see what it's like before dropping cash.
That said, there's a healthy used market.

 

[2515R Dude]

I agree that the rotary impacts maneuverability substantially.
Tractors already have a very short wheelbase and can make a very snug U-turn, but the back end of the rotary is swinging really really wide, but that's definitely your call.
The tractor will drive the rotary with the load you're showing us just fine; whether it's the right instrument isn't being asked but once again I'd advise seeing if you can fit a borrowed or rented unit so you can see what it's like before dropping cash.
That said, there's a healthy used market.

What is the length difference between a 5' and a 6'? It is what affects maneuverability. Isn't it. Is the difference so significant?

 

[Yander]

What is the length difference between a 5' and a 6'? It is what affects maneuverability. Isn't it. Is the difference so significant?

The size difference all the way around is significant. I really think you should go lay eyes on a 6' cutter. Have you considered a used Ferris with full suspension ZTR? They are pretty pricey new but used you may be able to get one at a decent price. The thought of mowing 15 acres around those trees with a rear cutter makes me cringe.

 

[Yander]

Here's another thought.. A RFM doesn't stick out quite as much but it would handle what I saw in those pics if you stayed on top of it. It is more maneuverable than a rear cutter. Your tractor would likely handle a 7' RFM.

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[2515R Dude]

Have you considered a used Ferris with full suspension ZTR?

1. I herds they are not very good in terms of suspensions. Some ppl complain that they are really bumpy. I guess they have only front wheel suspension. I might be wrong tho
2. For ones a year usage i dont think the price is justifiable.

Here's another thought.. A RFM doesn't stick out quite as much but it would handle what I saw in those pics if you stayed on top of it. It is more maneuverable than a rear cutter. Your tractor would likely handle a 7' RFM.

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Yes, in one of my posts above i asked for advise on RFM but did not get any reaction. When it looks right solution my concern is about spring there are many fallen limbs from the winter of 1-3" diameter laying around. This year it was already hard for me to pick all of them up because of my back issues but i did it anyway then i could use the ZT. This is another advantage of a cutter. It would just crash them because they are half rotten already. I dont know if RFM would be able to handle them.

 

[aesanders]

Ferris have the best suspension hands down. The type of suspension is determined by model but many have it front and rear. This is what they are known for.

For the limbs, you could get yourself a landscape rake and rake the limbs out of your mowing area.

Finish mower decks are fairly similar to a zero turn deck, although my zero turns and many others have decks a little heavier than many finish mowers. Sticks and limbs can be hard on finish mowers and zero turns especially the blades. Where as rotary cutters and flail mowers (with hammer blades) can handle that all day long.

I know you said no to flail, but something like like an Ironcraft FL 165 (made by Italian company Cosmos I beleive), would be ideal for what you are trying to do, will mulch up the sticks better than a rotary cutter, be more maneuverable than either a rotary cutter or finsh mower. Be more durable than a finish mower, and cost around the same as a decent rotary or finish mower, unless you spring for a decked out hydraulic ditch bank model.

But, you have to figure out what will work best for you, and only you really know the obstacles of what you are trying to do.

If you do go the finish mower route, make sure it has really good belt covers. If you have sticks or saplings that fall on top of the deck which they will likely do, if the belts are covered well, you really risk the chance of blowing the belts out with a stick wrapped around a pulley. I have a couple acres I mow similar to yours, and you have to be careful or you will be changing out belts a fair amount. Pine cones are the worst offender.