5' Rotary Cutter Price Check

[beartracks]

I'm looking for a 5' rotary cutter for primarily mowing grass on trails in the woods and in a Christmas tree plantation. Little or no cutting of small trees. This is going behind a JD 3005. In looking at suitable cutters I came up with the following:

$1196 - Rhino 160 w/ chain guards and slip clutch
$1406 - John Deere RC1060 w/chain guards and slip clutch
$1465 - Landpride RCR18 w/ chain guards and slip clutch
$1840 - Woods BB60X w/ chain guards and slip clutch

I think I would be satisfied with any of the above models. I'm a little surprised at the variation in pricing. As I see it they each offer the following:

-The Rhino has the heaviest deck and overall construction.
-The Woods has the easiest blade change system.
-The Landpride has the highest blade tip speed.
-The John Deere is green .

Anyone have comparable cost info? The Rhino seems like a deal, the JD and Landpride seem about right, and the Woods seems a little high. I know it boils down to personal preference, but any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Do they all perform about the same?

Ed

 

[greg_g]

Doesn't sound like you need a rotary cutter at all. What you describe is extremely light duty stuff, and you've listed some pretty heavy duty machines. For that kind of money, have you considered a flail mower?

//greg//

 

[beartracks]

When we cut Christmas trees they are often butted to remove the bell and make them fit in the stand better. Those 1 foot chunks of balsam are often laying in the grass. There are also plenty of rocks that the frost heaves out of the ground in the spring.

That being said, I'd just take our logging equipment or a cat if I want to make a road through saplings. There is still no shortage of things to hit with the mower, which is why I'll stick to the rotary cutter, but not abuse it (if possible).

Thanks,
Ed

 

[greg_g]

1 foot chunks of balsam are often laying in the grass. There are also plenty of rocks

I have no express interest in talking you OUT of buying a rotary cutter. But for the kind of work you describe, those rotary cutters are over-qualified. I'm merely tossing an alternative on the table for you. Otherwise there are quite a few light duty 5' rotary cutters that will do what you describe for half to one third that money. I chop up more serious stuff than that with a five footer I bought at Rural King last summer for $469

But if price is not an object, do you know what a flail mower is/does/can do? Every year I see more and more of them mowing highway right of ways and medians. Trust me, they flail through a lot worse than 1" twigs and frost-heaved rocks. If I didn't have money invested in two rotary cutters and a finish mower already, I could replace all three with one flail mower.

//greg//

 

[RobJ]

Sounds like a real heavy duty pricing/mower for light duty work. TSC has a 5' King Kutter for $759. I'd even look at the 6' since you are not cutting much if your tractor can handle the weight of a LD mower. TSC has them for $899.