Rotary Cutter Flex Hitch Rotary Cutter

[Yota_85]

KK makes one of these and it claims to "flex" 15 deg. left & right, allowing the cutter to conform to irregularities of the land. Anyone know if this actually works?
I haven't seen it with a slip clutch, just a shear pin. The regular KK cutter is avail with a shear pin or slip clutch. Wondering if the "flex hitch" is worth taking over a regular one with a slip clutch.

BTW: use is mowing field. Mostly tall grass with very light brush (1/2" diameter).
Occasional rock mines planted by someone who apparently was trying to be funny. Some I've dug out, others are too large (underground, think iceberg) to bother with.

Am looking at the 6' model KK to match my Kioti DK35se.

 

[Yota_85]

Anyone?

here's the link to the cutter:
King Kutter Incorporated

 

[devildog1]

I have one that is a 72" Woods Hertage RFM. It has an anti scalping roller up front and does flex up and down to follow the slopes of or your lawn. Not sure of the degrees but it flexes about 2 to3 inches each way, works real good.
DevilDog

 

[beenthere]

Anyone?

here's the link to the cutter:
King Kutter Incorporated

Without at least a couple wheels on the rotary cutter, seems the "flex" would be controlled by the skids on each side, and not sure that type of flex would be good. The deck would always be leaning to one side or the other.
I'd stick with the solid hookup on the front 3 ph when/if there is just one trailer wheel on behind. Then the deck is changing positions relative to the rear tractor wheels and the ground.

But, others may have experience with the KK you have in mind.

 

[KU Gator]

I would agree with Beenthere, that without some guide wheels in the front, like on DevilDog's RFM, it doesn't make much sense. Usually you don't want the front to be on the ground. Most of the general information and I think even the information that came with my rotary mower said they are best used for cutting the grass at least 4" or higer. I guess if you were mowing along and an outside edge came to the side of a ridge that the tractor tire was not on, it would allow the mower to twist, but again, it would be dragging on the dirt.

 

[devildog1]

The picture I posted doesn't show what I call flex, sorry I'll try and take photo latter. Yes I to believe you need wheels all the way around or front of cutter will contact ground.Maybe the correct word is not flex but free movement up and down, if you follow in the picture where the top link goes all the way down to the cutter. There is plates on each side that allows the cutter to follow the layout of the ground without allowing the wheels to loose contact with the ground, is that flex?
DevilDog

 

[beenthere]

That is what I'd call front to back flex (or float would be what I think would be more definitive in my little mind). The flex built into the KK is what I would call allowing it to "twist" relative to the tractor rears.

But I think I'd also want the those wheels at least in front, if the deck was allowed to twist.

There was a pic recently of wheels on the front corners of a rotary cutter. They were the size of wheelbarrow tires (or similar) and I wondered if the blades would throw enough debris at them that they wouldn't last long. Might need the hard solid rubber wheels or rollers.

I've thought about rollers (or wheels) for my rotary, but didn't want to add to the width, as I fairly often get close to things I don't want to cut, to cut the things I do want to cut.

 

[Yota_85]

Thanks for the input. Will focus on getting the slip clutch non-flex model then.

Anyone know how the gearboxes are rated? I mean should a 40HP gearbox on a cutter be used on a 40HP max tractor, or does i refer to 40 PTO HP max? I have 38HP, though only 27/28 PTO. I'd think the slip clutch is designed for the HP rating of the gearbox.

 

[beenthere]

The slip clutch is adjustable to specs in the manual. It would be independent of HP of the tractor, and dependent on the forces the cutter requires to make the cut.

Adjustment is done by backing off the springs, to where the clutch will slip. Then so many turns to tighten up on the springs. Good idea to make these adjustments annually (which reminds me that I need to do that )

You should be good with your PTO rating.

 

[sweettractors]

Our Tarter cutters have had the flex hitch for as long as I can remember. Ken Sweet

 

[sweettractors]

Hawkline Flexhitch picture. Ken Sweet

 

[kebo]

Ken, I might be wrong but I think what the OP was getting at was the mower was able to flex (tilt) from side to side. Most all mowers can tilt from front to back. Go to the link of the kingkutter mower he provided in his 2nd post and study that picture closely. Especially those two small zinc plated hinges where the A-frame for the top link attaches to the mntg brackets on the mower deck. I'm also guessing there may be some sort of a swivel joint under that hood where the two bars join (that pull up the rear of the mower deck). I think all that is what lets the A-frame tilt side to side. I've never seen this in person so like I said, I could be wrong about it.

 

[sweettractors]

Ken, I might be wrong but I think what the OP was getting at was the mower was able to flex (tilt) from side to side. Most all mowers can tilt from front to back. Go to the link of the kingkutter mower he provided in his 2nd post and study that picture closely. Especially those two small zinc plated hinges where the A-frame for the top link attaches to the mntg brackets on the mower deck. I'm also guessing there may be some sort of a swivel joint under that hood where the two bars join (that pull up the rear of the mower deck). I think all that is what lets the A-frame tilt side to side. I've never seen this in person so like I said, I could be wrong about it.

I see it now. Down between the 2 yellow uprights. Our Grooming mowers have a setup similar to that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Ken Sweet

 

[McGeesEquip]

Hey Yota,

King Kutter does offer the flex hitch rotary cutter with a slip clutch. It can be order with either a shear pin or slip clutch. The flex hitch units have the new domed decks. It is even available with a 5ft. stainless steel unit. $$$$:thumbsup: If you do not find one at a dealer, or can not find your local KK dealer let me know and I will quote you and give you a freight cost.

The flex hitch models are actually a little cheaper then the professional series units. On April 1, 2010, King Kutter had a price increase across the price board.

Good Luck.

 

[kebo]

I was looking at that stainless steel KK bush hog last night. Looks pretty good, I wouldn't mind having it but not for that price!

 

[McGeesEquip]

My driver went to KK last week and made a pickup and KK sure was trying to push that SS unit on to my driver and they sure was wanting to load some of them up. My driver said KK sure had a lot full of them.:confused2:

They also sent the price of their 7FT rear discharge mower up because now it is a Stainless Steel unit.

I going to have to order some of them flex rotary units next order and check them out, but not the SS units. The weight of the SS unit is less then the regular units, but you can buy 2 of the regular units for the price of 1 SS unit.:mur:

 

[keyser soze]

Also... the flex hitch is truly quick hitchable. To my knowledge alot of the rotary mowers out there that claim to be quick hitchable are hard to hook up. The King Kutter one looks pretty easy.

I think the main advantage with that king kutter having a 15 degree movement from side to side is when you went over a bump or hill with only one side of the mower. Seems like it would move up independently of the other side of the mower, and not try and force the lift arms up. Looks like a great idea to me.

 

[Yota_85]

Yeah, I purchased the flex hitch KK with slip clutch.
It seems to work good, just need to play with it a bit more. (adjustments)
The cut is ok. (I was used to a MMM finish cut)
Will probably take off the blades and give them a good sharpening. Not sure how sharp they come from the factory.

The front slides did dig in to the ground in a couple of places, but all in all, not bad for a first mowing of the field. I will try to adjust the 3pt a little higher next time, and lower the rear tail wheel setting a bit. That should take care of that issue.

 

[wrangler6831]

You can take your solid lift arms off (the ones that run vertical, usually one side is adjustable) and attach a length of chain to do the FLEX for you. Some one post a picture of a right of way mower on here a few weeks ago that had this done.

 

[2006RonB]

Like the original poster I am looking at the KingKutter 6' rotary cutter with the flex hitch. How about some more feedback from members that have used this new style? Along with the flex designed hitch comes the domed deck and the prefabricated mounting angle iron with holes for the chain guard in the front. Both are positives for me. I will stick with the KingKutter brand because it is locally available (Family Farm and Home store) and reasonable.