Ammbusher,U.S. Mower, Davco

[Amer Pine Straw]

What are some of the good and bad points of each manufacturer's rotary mowers in your opinions?

 

[QwikDraw]

I have an Ammbusher DL66. It works pretty good but I wish I had spent the extra money for the Davco. The blades are exposed on the Davco for the full width, the ammbusher has the small door for taking down bigger material. I think for heavier brush the Davco could just keep moving forward where the Ammbusher needs to be "worked" forward and backward to get bigger material down...

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

FYI saw a used DAVCO 604SS for sale with brand new blades in Jax/Gaineseville craigslist for 3800 obo....Said 7 months old-cost 7900 new..deal??

 

[atgreene]

The USMower that my father runs on a KX 080 excavator has been nothing but problems (this is the second one with issues). The bearing casting has broken 3 times now with only 20 hours or so on the unit. The previous mower wore through the drum from the knives hitting it. That was on a Kubota 161.

The primary problem he has had with both was lack of dealer support, not sure how USMower is going to be to deal with direct, but he is going to find out Monday morning.

 

[QwikDraw]

I think the excavator flails are a different animal....

The brush hound I have is also weak and broke many bearings (guessing 10+). I found a bearing with a stainless flange and it has gone a long time without a problem.

It does a decent job and there really isn't any other options in that price range for a mini...

I wouldn't judge a companies rotary mowers by how their flails hold up.

Also the US Mower is 60" cutting, Ammbusher is 66" and the Davco is 72".

 

[Landwise]

I have a brand new Davco High Flow for sale if you are interested. It works great, but does not fit into my current roll...

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I can't speak on the ammbusher but I ran Davco for quite some time.

It is a tough mower, lots of force but it doens't mulch the material very fine since the blades are so short.

 

[Amer Pine Straw]

So if my main concern is getting more done in a day than a nice finished mulch product, Davco is the way to ?

What size skid steer would be recommended for these mowers?

 

[yellowdogsvc]

The davco isn't all that heavy. Just make sure it's motor is rated for the hydraulics you will be attaching it to. I imagine any brand large frame loader would be acceptable since Davco's aren't that hard on the system. If I remember correctly, it doesn't even have a case drain.

Make sure you get lexan. Davco and other can and do eject material or sling it and it can bounce off trees. Glass will not last very long and will not stop missiles.

 

[jmfox]

How about those flail mowers with fixed teeth like the Bobcat? Can they really handle 3" material and also deliver near finish lawn quailty?

jmf

 

[Amer Pine Straw]

I think the flail mowers are too slow and require too much maintenance for what requirements I have for these machines. I have not really looked to far into them though. They certainly need to cut more than 3". If you know all about them please tell me more, I'd like to learn.

Jason

 

[jmfox]

I know in the old days, with the chain linked cutters, they were very violent, but today with the fixed cutters they are sounding more efficient. The rotary tree cutters are okay for one time clearing needs, but are not good for any kind of grooming chores like the new style flail mowers. It depends on the tasks at hand, but for me the ability to handle some clearing chores and finish cut is attractive.

jmf

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Something that is being overlooked. The mower sticks out 6-7'"in front of the mower past the attach plate. That makes for a very long tractor to fit into tight spaces.
I was called to a job that they where running a t-300 and rotary mower that wasn't getting the job done. It was engaging to much material and to time consuming. On 4'' and under material you can drive at speed with a mulcher on a skid steer. Now granted there is a sizable price difference between the two but what's your time worth? On 1600 acres you need the most productive unit you can find.