Rotary Cutter Dual spindle rotary cutters ?

[GATC35]

Anybody own, or operate, a dual spindle rotary cutter ? Specifically a Bush Hog SQ84-T ? http://www.bushhog.com/agtoc.html

I have 10 acres of light grass with very little brush in it. The grass, really weeds, are only about knee high. I have been cutting this with my five foot cutter, but it takes forever. So my thought was to get a bigger cutter only problem is my tractor (New Holland TC-35D 30 PTO HP) can't handle a seven foot single spindle cutter. Most of these require at least 45 to 50 PTO HP. Bush Hog's web site states the SQ84-T only needs 25 HP. I have thought about getting a six footer cutter like a Bush Hog Squealer SQ720 or a Rhino SE-6. But since I'm up grading why not go up two feet instead of one. I would keep my five footer for cutting in the woods and the heavy nasty stuff.

I found a used SQ84-T in good shape for $1,700.00. A new one runs around $2,200.00. No one has one in stock, will take seven to ten days to get from Bush Hog.

New Squealer SQ720 $1,350.00
New Rhino SE-6 $1,550.00

Any thoughts.....suggestions.

 

[Fredex]

I bought an SQ84 about 10 years ago - $1625.00 new at that time. Weighs 720 lbs. Only trouble has been 1 broken tailwheel beam on the heavy side. They are offset you know - 3pt frame is not in middle of mower. Didn't replace the beam, just welded it together and added reinforcement bar across the top. I pulled it with an MF165 (50 pto hp) until I traded tractors. In my conditions I wouldn't want less. I have mostly tall fescue. In the places where it is thick & tall the mower can be quite a load for 50 hp at 3.0 mph. Most places I could run at 6 mph. I do cut rather short which adds to the load. For comparison, a 2N Ford with 5' hog had to run in 1st gear through the medium (avg.) growth that I cut. I would be hesitant with 30 hp, no way would I try 25 hp regardless of what Bush Hog says. BUT I can't easily judge your conditions.

Any way the seller would let you try it since it is already used?
OR
Get into your heaviest spring growth at max height you ever let it get. See if you can pull your current rig a gear or 2 faster than you usually use without lugging the engine. If so you may be OK with the SQ84 at your usual speed which is not too bad at all - comfortable.