Finish vs Rotary Mower
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NIXON
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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
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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
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</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.
OP
familyman
Platinum Member
Thanks to all for the replies /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif!
I guess I really would prefer a finish mower. Next question then (as if you didn't expect it!); for a 5' width rear discharge, which models are good buys? -- well built, long lasting, reasonably priced? What about the King Kutter units? I'll spend what I need to, but don't like to spend dumb /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
I guess I really would prefer a finish mower. Next question then (as if you didn't expect it!); for a 5' width rear discharge, which models are good buys? -- well built, long lasting, reasonably priced? What about the King Kutter units? I'll spend what I need to, but don't like to spend dumb /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.
Soundguy
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 5' width rear discharge, which models are good buys? )</font>
You have lots of options.. from the economy lines like KK / howse.. etc.. to the lienbach, and bush hog brands which are higher quality. Dealer brands like JD NH kubota also.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( well built, long lasting, reasonably priced )</font>
HAHa.. you generally don't see those 3 words used together on a finish mower. if it's built like a bulldog.. it isn't reasonably priced!
For a 5' mower.. even an economy model..expect to pay for it. 4' KK are as high as 999$ And it just goes up from there..
That said... with little lawn to cut.. you may be fine with an economy model. i havn't used their finish mowers.. but have used their rotary cutters as well as howse cutters. they do reasonable well.
I do have an old woods belly mower that came with an allis chalmers i bought. it's old but works...
woods and schulte are good names like bush hog.. etc.
Soundguy
You have lots of options.. from the economy lines like KK / howse.. etc.. to the lienbach, and bush hog brands which are higher quality. Dealer brands like JD NH kubota also.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( well built, long lasting, reasonably priced )</font>
HAHa.. you generally don't see those 3 words used together on a finish mower. if it's built like a bulldog.. it isn't reasonably priced!
For a 5' mower.. even an economy model..expect to pay for it. 4' KK are as high as 999$ And it just goes up from there..
That said... with little lawn to cut.. you may be fine with an economy model. i havn't used their finish mowers.. but have used their rotary cutters as well as howse cutters. they do reasonable well.
I do have an old woods belly mower that came with an allis chalmers i bought. it's old but works...
woods and schulte are good names like bush hog.. etc.
Soundguy
Pooh_Bear
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I just bought a used finish mower for $250.
Watch for a good used one to get.
Not much that can go wrong with one.
Pooh Bear
Watch for a good used one to get.
Not much that can go wrong with one.
Pooh Bear
Soundguy
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awesome deal!
Soundguy
Soundguy
Pooh_Bear
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It needs the blades sharpened but otherwise mows great.
The guy bought a new belt for it and I helped him put it on.
I'm very happy with this thing.
Pooh Bear
The guy bought a new belt for it and I helped him put it on.
I'm very happy with this thing.
Pooh Bear
RalphVa
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How easy is it to get the blades off and on a rear PTO type finish mower? Can you flop them end to end maybe? Do you have to put them up on something?
A Scag ZTR that I used on church property for 4 or 5 years had a hand crank to raise the 3 blade deck. All blades were through-bolted. It was about a 5 minute or less job to raise the deck and remove or replace the blades.
On my LX4 cutter, you have to remove the tail wheel assembly to get to a peep hole to access the bolts that hold the floppy blades onto the main blade carrier.
On my Gravely, one raises the deck by hand, prop it up and crawl underneath to unbolt the blade(s) (got 2 crossed now on same shaft).
Ralph
A Scag ZTR that I used on church property for 4 or 5 years had a hand crank to raise the 3 blade deck. All blades were through-bolted. It was about a 5 minute or less job to raise the deck and remove or replace the blades.
On my LX4 cutter, you have to remove the tail wheel assembly to get to a peep hole to access the bolts that hold the floppy blades onto the main blade carrier.
On my Gravely, one raises the deck by hand, prop it up and crawl underneath to unbolt the blade(s) (got 2 crossed now on same shaft).
Ralph
Inspector507
Super Member
On my RFM I back into the garage and disconnect the top link, leaving the mower attached to the lift arms. Using a winch or come-along in the rafters of the garage I raise the mower almost vertical and remove the blades and scrape the deck.
Tom_H
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We've all known people (sometimes ourselves) to whom all motorhomes are "Winnebago", all facial tissue is "Kleenex", etc.)</font>
Don't forget "Sheetrock" for all drywall, gypsum board, etc.
Don't forget "Sheetrock" for all drywall, gypsum board, etc.
Pooh_Bear
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I left the FM on the tractor and raised it all the way up.
Then blocked it up with 2x6s and crawled under it.
Blades came off just like a push mower.
Used a block of wood to hold the blade
and a 19mm box end wrench to turn the bolt.
Real easy after I determined it was LH threads.
Pooh Bear
Then blocked it up with 2x6s and crawled under it.
Blades came off just like a push mower.
Used a block of wood to hold the blade
and a 19mm box end wrench to turn the bolt.
Real easy after I determined it was LH threads.
Pooh Bear
