Rotary Cutter am I hurting my rotary cutter?

[jwk]

I've got a rhino SE5 with slip clutch. I've been trying to clear some pretty thick stuff. The cutter says it's rated up to 1" thick cuts, but some of the stuff I'm hitting is a little larger than that. It makes a lot of noise when it hits. If I had the shear pin, I might know when it's too much (the pin shears), but with a clutch, I don't know. How do I know if I'm hurting it?

 

[rdbrumfield]

Unless the clutch is set too tight, it will protect the mower. As far as cutting some fair size brush, it might bang up the tin on it somewhat. Before I used mine I reinforced the sides and deck. Have had it for over 10 yrs, done some serious mowing, replaced the stump jumper underneath a few times, but the tin looks like almost new.

 

[MMM]

Do some cutting and hop off tractor and put your hand on clutch. It will be noticably warm or hot if slipping.

 

[WhiteRock]

I have a Rhino TW. It is very strong. It looks to me like Rhino builds a very good product. I am not familiar with the SE. I think one of the most important things operationally is to make sure you run at the full 540 RPM in the thick stuff (and actually other places too). This will give your this highest blade tip speed. This will do a better job of clear brush as you get into it and reduces the load on the cutter.

Listen or watch the rpms and back off on your engagement speed if necessary. It's easy with a hydro. If your geared, shift to the correct lower gear and deal with the lower speed.

I like to keep a hand on the 3pt control if I am not sure what I am going into. If it gets really rough, I just lift the unit a bit.

I have often exceeded the capacity of my TW84 and seems for now indestructible.

Good luck, be safe.

 

[Freds]

I have the same cutter, but with the shear pin. I've cut at least 1" stuff before without the pin shearing and hit many a large rock that got the topped lopped off, too. I have a couple of small dents in the deck, but that was the extent of any "damage", what I call usage.

I like the setup of the rear wheel adjustment and replaced the two bolts with a couple of T pins for quick adjustment without tools.

 

[KiotiJohn]

When you're going to cut something a little larger than the recommended, it's best to back into it, letting the deck push the sapling over a little and slowly back in, letting the blades cut just a little at a time. I've cut up to 3" saplings this way, and no damage to the cutter.
I agree with MMM, check to see how hot the clutch is getting. However, I would turn off the PTO, and then the tractor before attempting this as you never know when the shaft just might get energized by accident.
This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised. John

 

[djradz]

yes, please be VERY careful when checking anything around the hog. Unless your tractor is equipped with a functioning PTO brake, the rotary cutter will continue to turn for some time after you shut the PTO off.

On your damage question, I've cut 2" and even a little larger, but you have to do it very slowly, with the PTO speed up, and give the hog time to wack away at the sapling. I'd have to say, none of this treatment really does the machine any good, for it' certainly not as easy of a life as just mowing a field or light brush, but plenty of us use them that way and most are still ticking - the cutter that is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[slowzuki]

I use a BH Squealer 600 with a slip clutch and my nerves always get the best of me before the trees get the best of the mower. I can't take the racket the 1"+ stuff makes.

 

[AndyMA]

I've had 2 BH Squealer 600's. My dealer who has been selling themfor years told me when I bought the first one.. Wear ear protection and just look forward... The housing will get some bumps and perhaps a tear every now and them but that is what welders and reinforcing plates are for...

yes they are LOUD.

Andy