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.

 

[lancew]

Thanks guys. I will make sure that what I buy has a flex pivot if it has rigid supports. From what little I have used both types, I also kind of feel that the chained units float a little better (at least on the smaller size of cutters like I'm looking at). The chained units that I've looked at do seem to be the lighter-duty units though...

Thanks again for the help. I'm headed out to the Woods dealer this morning...

 

[pitt_md]

I don't know for sure what the units with chains are like. I did want to mention that for most of the work 95% of the people here will use a brush hog for you don't need to get the heavy duty models. FWJ may be one of the exceptions to that . My 6' Woods Heritage model is on the lighter side of things and can chew up amazingly big stuff without flinching.

 

[tydp]

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

OMG! There is no safety guard over your PTO shaft. The safety storm troopers are going to get you......

 

[polo1665]

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

Same set up here, mine was never welded though. Works like a charm.

Mark

 

[RobJ]

OMG! There is no safety guard over your PTO shaft. The safety storm troopers are going to get you......

Now I've done it! Here come the feds!! Let's see...never had one, uhhh I used it to make a funnel one day? Uhhh don't care!

I read back through and didn't see anyone mention NO chains or NO top link. I've tried it and that works fine to...no top link. Floats nice, just stay away from a place where you might need to pick it up to get out of trouble.

 

[RobJ]

Same set up here, mine was never welded though. Works like a charm.

Mark

On my little tractor the link is a little taller than I like, but it hasn't made the list to try and lower it.

Rob

 

[SCDolphin]

I have a Woods Brush Bull 72". It is considered medium duty, but is very substantial. It has an adjustable internal baffle that I moved to front and added the front and rear chains where it had heavy rubber before. I think that the rubber shields were very adequate. I included picts