Rotary Cutter Bush hog differences?

[lancew]

I am shopping for a 5' rotary cutter, new or used, and I am wondering about one main differnce in many of them. Some of the mowers have a solid flat-stock type support bracing on them and some just use a piece of chain to lift and support the rear of the mower. It seems to me that the chain units bounce more during transport, which I would think applies some undesired forces on the rear link componentry...? What are the pros and cons of each design? Which is better? I have used both, only a few times though, and both have worked for me...

 

[greenmule]

If I was to buy another one,would look those ones with chains over,mines got solid steel,and I put a chain on instead of solid top link in order to let rear of mower float up and down some,thats what I think those ones with chain let it do.

As far as bouncing wouldn't think that would be much of an issue.

 

[bostonbear]

i have a woods 72 with bars, i can't get it to lift high or float. if i get it to float right i can't lift it more than a foot off the ground. i have an old ford with chains it works great. my dad wants me to cut my bars and weld in about 2-3 feet of chain. i would if it was not under warranty. next year the torch goes to the bars.

 

[have_blue]

Had a Woods 5' and also a 6'. The bars would warp if I accidentally backed up against a hill, so I removed the bars and added chains. It worked great, and I saw no downside to the chains. In fact, they saved weight and were not bouncy or noisy at all.

I have a 6' Squealer now, and it has the flat bars. They have a pivot that allows the linkage to compress. No problem backing up against hills or levees, so I'm leaving them on.

 

[Soundguy]

I look at it like this.. the chain ones are more forgiving over uneven ground.. however colapse completely if the front of the tractor were to rear up.. and thus offer -0- help with stalling a backflip.

the semi-rigid connections have much less play and thus much less range of movement over rough ground.. but also will -help- stall a backflip if it starts to occur (at least up to the mechanical limits of the materials.. etc.. )

soundguy

 

[JoeinTX]

I have light and heavy duty 5' cutters..............and I'd never have one of the chained top support type.



First, they are categorically lighter-built and less robust than a traditiional all-metal attachment arrangement. By design they are not as strong. Most modern cutters of this type have a built-in movement of the top link than allows for a good degree of movement of the cutter over the terrrain.


Unless you are cutting manecured, golf course type of terrain.........by the real shredder and get into it.

 

[spruce Deere]

I look at it like this.. the chain ones are more forgiving over uneven ground.. however colapse completely if the front of the tractor were to rear up.. and thus offer -0- help with stalling a backflip.

the semi-rigid connections have much less play and thus much less range of movement over rough ground.. but also will -help- stall a backflip if it starts to occur (at least up to the mechanical limits of the materials.. etc.. )

soundguy

Backflips!!!!! not to compare this to the oil bath filters sound, I and different bodily functions do know when steep is too steep!!! My little JD403 has the collapse-able linkage and it works O.K. I believe that chains would be more forgiving. Course, for serious hogg'n the 403 is on the light construction side. I done in some fair sized june berry bushes 2" or so, the 403 protested much. No damage but I will use the chain saw to cut them big'uns if the need arises again.

 

[Soundguy]

Backflips!!!!! not to compare this to the oil bath filters sound, I and different bodily functions do know when steep is too steep!!! My little JD403 has the collapse-able linkage and it works O.K. I believe that chains would be more forgiving. Course, for serious hogg'n the 403 is on the light construction side. I done in some fair sized june berry bushes 2" or so, the 403 protested much. No damage but I will use the chain saw to cut them big'uns if the need arises again.

I'm not sure where oil bath filters came up in this conversation????

soundguy

 

[pitt_md]

I have a Woods 6' with the metal linkage. I back it up banks all the time without any problem. The 3ph arms float up as needed which lets the cutter go up without wrecking the linkage.

 

[RobJ]

Mine has the flex link, works great once I un welded it after the previous owners mistake.