Finish vs Rotary Mower
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NIXON
Veteran Member
A finish mower gives a cut like a lawn mower . A rotary mower (bh ) Gives a cut that is at best somewhat coarser . Try to visualize the difference between a groomed lawn ,and a cut field /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Mechanically ... It's hard for me to put down in words . But a Brush hog has two blades on a pivot for a given width (say 60 ") the same finisish mower would have 3 sets of blades . The BH blades are much thicker and relatively blunt .
The Bh blades are powered directly form a gear box , the finish mower would most likely use an assortment of belts to power the invidual blades . And overall the stucture of the BH will be a bit stouter. Hope this makes at least some sense to You /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John
Mechanically ... It's hard for me to put down in words . But a Brush hog has two blades on a pivot for a given width (say 60 ") the same finisish mower would have 3 sets of blades . The BH blades are much thicker and relatively blunt .
The Bh blades are powered directly form a gear box , the finish mower would most likely use an assortment of belts to power the invidual blades . And overall the stucture of the BH will be a bit stouter. Hope this makes at least some sense to You /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John
Pooh_Bear
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Do you mow the lawn or do you battle the vegetation.
That is the difference between a bush hog and a finish mower.
A bush hog cuts like a machete.
A finish mower is the same as a mower deck for a riding lawn mower.
Instead of being under the tractor you pull the deck behind you.
You can get finish mower decks that go under the tractor.
These are called mid mount mowers.
Pooh Bear
That is the difference between a bush hog and a finish mower.
A bush hog cuts like a machete.
A finish mower is the same as a mower deck for a riding lawn mower.
Instead of being under the tractor you pull the deck behind you.
You can get finish mower decks that go under the tractor.
These are called mid mount mowers.
Pooh Bear
RalphVa
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There's a HUGE quality of cut difference between a single blade type mower (whether multiple single or single) and a "floppy-bladded", huge-bladed bush hog. I can see this between my Gravely with its single blade (actually using 2 crossed blades, but quality of cut isn't that much different between these) vs. the cut on my new JD LX4 cutter (bush hog). It's like cutting with a very sharp vs. a VERY dull blade. Also, the cut length tends to vary A LOT with terrain. The bush hog is for cutting grass up to 3 or 4" logs. It's not that good on grass.
Those blades on a bush hog are attached with bolts torqued to around 450 ft-lb, too. You won't enjoy removing these and sharpening them and putting them back on. Most commercial type finish mowers are reasonably easy to get to the blades on them. They usually don't require such a huge amount of torque to keep them attached. Don't actually know what torque finish mower blades are torqued to on ones that run behind tractors though. I know the bolts on a Scag are no tighter than a regular push type lawn mower.
Ralph
Those blades on a bush hog are attached with bolts torqued to around 450 ft-lb, too. You won't enjoy removing these and sharpening them and putting them back on. Most commercial type finish mowers are reasonably easy to get to the blades on them. They usually don't require such a huge amount of torque to keep them attached. Don't actually know what torque finish mower blades are torqued to on ones that run behind tractors though. I know the bolts on a Scag are no tighter than a regular push type lawn mower.
Ralph
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familyman
Platinum Member
I guess I can infer that a rotary mower is also whats called a "brush hog", ie, a cutting implement for rough stuff in overgrown fields and such?
Gatorboy
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Bird
Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( a rotary mower is also whats called a "brush hog", )</font>
Yep, rotary cutter = rotary mower = brush hog = shredder = slasher (depends on whom you're talking to and where /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Might be simpler if we just had one name, huh? And of course lots of people call them a "bush hog", which is actually a brand name. Not unusual, though, is it? We've all known people (sometimes ourselves) to whom all motorhomes are "Winnebago", all facial tissue is "Kleenex", etc.
Yep, rotary cutter = rotary mower = brush hog = shredder = slasher (depends on whom you're talking to and where /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). Might be simpler if we just had one name, huh? And of course lots of people call them a "bush hog", which is actually a brand name. Not unusual, though, is it? We've all known people (sometimes ourselves) to whom all motorhomes are "Winnebago", all facial tissue is "Kleenex", etc.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Another difference is the way they follow the ground. My shredder or rotory mower is attached to my three point hitch and goes up and down with my tractor. If my front wheels go into a low spot, my shredder lifts and cuts much higher. If your area your mowing is flat, this wont matter.
I don't have a finish mower yet, but from what I undersand, they have wheels on all four corners and follow the contour of the land providing a uniform finished cut.
I bought some wheels I plan to attach to my shredder to see if I can get it to do this, but who knows when I'll get around to doing so.
I don't have a finish mower yet, but from what I undersand, they have wheels on all four corners and follow the contour of the land providing a uniform finished cut.
I bought some wheels I plan to attach to my shredder to see if I can get it to do this, but who knows when I'll get around to doing so.
Soundguy
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Like the others have stated.. the rotary mower is a heavy brute.. capable of cutting 1"+ woody material.. and some models cuttng 2"plus green material.
If you are trying to cut a lawn with a rotary cutter.. it will usually producy a 'shaggy' lawn effect, vs a 'golf course' effect. Here are a few tips to help make that gap smaller.
1, mow frequently. if you normally use a lawn mower and mow once a week.. use the rotary mower once a week.. cut will be easier ont he grass, overall look will improve.
2, a rotary mowers blades aren't sharp.. generally they are even have a 1/16 or 1/8 flat as the 'cutting' edge. This works fine for tall brush, tree sapplings ( splinters them fine ) and rocks and ant mounts.. keeps the blade from getting nicked up like it would if it had a razors edge.
Now.. since you want to mow a lawn.. and not brush.. go ahead and dres those blades with an angle grinder and bring up a nice clean angled edge. Don't shave it down to a razor, cause at some time later you may want to go back to brush mowing.. but do get it closer to a lawnmowers blade.. and have a fine edge.. not a flat.
That will drop the finish look to a very close 2nd from a finish mower. Pretty muchtr he only difference is cutting height, and scalping. You can't cut as close or as even with a rotary mower, so as to prevent scalping.. finish mowers usually float on 2-4 wheels, and have anti-scalp rollers..e tc.
Soundguy
If you are trying to cut a lawn with a rotary cutter.. it will usually producy a 'shaggy' lawn effect, vs a 'golf course' effect. Here are a few tips to help make that gap smaller.
1, mow frequently. if you normally use a lawn mower and mow once a week.. use the rotary mower once a week.. cut will be easier ont he grass, overall look will improve.
2, a rotary mowers blades aren't sharp.. generally they are even have a 1/16 or 1/8 flat as the 'cutting' edge. This works fine for tall brush, tree sapplings ( splinters them fine ) and rocks and ant mounts.. keeps the blade from getting nicked up like it would if it had a razors edge.
Now.. since you want to mow a lawn.. and not brush.. go ahead and dres those blades with an angle grinder and bring up a nice clean angled edge. Don't shave it down to a razor, cause at some time later you may want to go back to brush mowing.. but do get it closer to a lawnmowers blade.. and have a fine edge.. not a flat.
That will drop the finish look to a very close 2nd from a finish mower. Pretty muchtr he only difference is cutting height, and scalping. You can't cut as close or as even with a rotary mower, so as to prevent scalping.. finish mowers usually float on 2-4 wheels, and have anti-scalp rollers..e tc.
Soundguy
Jagmandave
Veteran Member
I cut my property with my "bush hog" for the first couple of years and it did a pretty good job. I did take the blades off and sharpen them up good first tho. I now use a ZTR to mow, because my land was just too sloped and had far too many trees and other obstacles to mow around. I may sell my House 4ft rotary cutter, if someone's interested. Anymore I just use it to counterbalance my FEL.
