Rotary Cutter Does Direction of Travel Matter?
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nch77
Bronze Member
This is why I like my HX10, dual spindles mean you can mow any way you want and the cut look likes a lawnmower made it
dadohead
Silver Member
Both spindles counter-rotate and spaced to back-sweep BOTH tire tracks?
Wish I had enough tractor to run something like that.... or somebody made a smaller mower like it. That would be sweet!
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
I wanted a dual spindle, but they are more than double the price.
after decades of 5' mowers, years ago went with 3ph 8' twin spindle. surprising just how smooth it runs & cuts. & yes, pricey, mine was around 5.5k. but requires at least a 70+ utility tractor.
otoh, there are many who use 8'+ pull type finish mowers on smaller machines. for me, 3ph lift type is my only option.
to me a 7' single spindle mower is a bastard size, & creates a lot of vibration, etc when you hit something given the long knives, regards
otoh, there are many who use 8'+ pull type finish mowers on smaller machines. for me, 3ph lift type is my only option.
to me a 7' single spindle mower is a bastard size, & creates a lot of vibration, etc when you hit something given the long knives, regards
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
dual spindle require less HP than single for same size, a pull type uses even less. I almost bought a dual 7 ft bush hog for $7500, but went with 6 ft single for around a1/3 the cost.
nch77
Bronze Member
Dual spindle is the best for clean cut by far, and keeps the deck shorter. Spreads cut material better too. My 10' drawbar bush hog is a great size, good for large areas but still fits in most places
dadohead
Silver Member
Absolutely right. I have a compact tractor with 20hp pto. NOTHING out there short of single spindle rotarys and finish mowers (I dont have the power for a flail).
So what does a former tractor/mower engineer do in retirement? He builds a prototype mower!
Built from an old beat-up used Keen Kutter 3pt finish mower, it has two 3' dia swing blades/stump jumpers from Fred Cain. It has staggered conventional CCW rotation spindles.
The mower is offset to the right so BOTH tire tracks are back swept. I've been mowing all spring with this thing and it has exceeded my expectations. I knew it would cut well but was concerned my tractor could run it. It does! I routinely cut 20" down to 4" without slowing.... at a full 6' cut width! Because it is mechanically back sweeping the tire tracks, it didnt need high lift blades or high tip speeds... both huge power hogs. Somebody needs to make these for sub-compact and compact tractors!
So what does a former tractor/mower engineer do in retirement? He builds a prototype mower!
Built from an old beat-up used Keen Kutter 3pt finish mower, it has two 3' dia swing blades/stump jumpers from Fred Cain. It has staggered conventional CCW rotation spindles.
The mower is offset to the right so BOTH tire tracks are back swept. I've been mowing all spring with this thing and it has exceeded my expectations. I knew it would cut well but was concerned my tractor could run it. It does! I routinely cut 20" down to 4" without slowing.... at a full 6' cut width! Because it is mechanically back sweeping the tire tracks, it didnt need high lift blades or high tip speeds... both huge power hogs. Somebody needs to make these for sub-compact and compact tractors!
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
nice job!
