Rotary Cutter Does Direction of Travel Matter?

[Marveltone]

Not to start an argument again,

No, it is not BS as one blade is always following
the other as only half the cutting edge is used.
The basic physics and the rotary cutters design using the
right angle gearbox for a horizontal cut is the issue.

You only have half of the cutting edge exposed for
work because it is rotating away from and exiting the
front of the mower and the following edge is entering
the arc.

...and only the very bottom arc (30%?) of the knives on a flail mower are doing the cutting. The rest of the time, they are just sweeping around the drum, waiting to take another cut. Your argument has no merit.

Let it go.

Joe

 

[Folio]

Well, I certainly didn't imagine my question would spark such a spirited exchange, but it's been fun and educational watching it unfold.

leonz--Since my ground speed is the same going either direction (i.e., about walking speed, a slow crawl when the grass is high and thick), and my PTO rpms are where they should be, I can't see how your explanation answers my question: lots of rooster tails in one direction, but not in the other.

RickB and LDI--your points about direction of blade rotation and subsequent discharge relative to direction of travel (CCW or CW) make a lot of sense and fit my experience in the field. Mystery solved!

Thanks to everyone for responding.

 

[JimRB]

My brush cutter owners manual says mow clockwise.

 

[gwdixon]

My brush cutter owners manual says mow clockwise.

We have a winner. Someone who actually reads the manual.

 

[Marveltone]

We have a winner. Someone who actually reads the manual.

What's a manual?

Joe

 

[LD1]

My brush cutter owners manual says mow clockwise.

Which direction does the grass get expelled out the back?? When you mow CW, are they blowing into where you NEED to cut next, or are they blowing away where you have ALREADY cut.

 

[RickB]

Which direction does the grass get expelled out the back?? When you mow CW, are they blowing into where you NEED to cut next, or are they blowing away where you have ALREADY cut.

That concern is usually a compromise to be made with picking up the cut-side wheel track. Some cutters throw material to the side more than others; some pick up the wheel track better than others. If the cut-side wheel track isn't picked up well the job may look like crap. If the uncut-side wheel track isn't picked up well, the operator can easily double up on that track the next time around and improve the finished cut quality.

 

[LD1]

That concern is usually a compromise to be made with picking up the cut-side wheel track. Some cutters throw material to the side more than others; some pick up the wheel track better than others. If the cut-side wheel track isn't picked up well the job may look like crap. If the uncut-side wheel track isn't picked up well, the operator can easily double up on that track the next time around and improve the finished cut quality.

Yes, but all things being equal IE: same cutter, same tractor, same ground speed, same PTO speed, and same field, IF you mow a couple of laps one way, and then a couple the other, they always (at least with the several cutters I have used) cut better when the grass is expelled AWAY from where your next cut will be.

 

[RickB]

Yes, but all things being equal IE: same cutter, same tractor, same ground speed, same PTO speed, and same field, IF you mow a couple of laps one way, and then a couple the other, they always (at least with the several cutters I have used) cut better when the grass is expelled AWAY from where your next cut will be.

You win. Feel better?

 

[TripleR]

Interesting discussion, I have to admit I really hadn't given it any thought one way or the other; always something new to learn I guess.