How do I use my rotary cutter?

[snmhanson]

Thanks for all of the great replies. I had a busy day at work and home yesterday and haven't been able to check back until today so I had a lot to read. Think I've got the basic setup down. It is becoming apparent that part of my problem is going to be the lack of levelness and smoothness on my property. One use I have for the cutter is in an area of scrub oak tress with a lot of dips and bumps that covers about 2/3 of the property. I think I am going to get pretty good at "riding the hitch". I'll also be sure to hunt down an owner manual from Howse. The cutter is about 15 years old but in great condition. Not sure how much they've changed things since then, but it looks very similar to their current models.

Thanks again!

Matt

 

[rd_macgregor]

My Walco has a top chain, so I can back off a lot on the top link, slackening the chain so the rear wheel will follow the terrain better. In the pic, I show two modifications I made. There were two problems. First, the raw chain slaps on the top of the gear box and shaft shield, making a lot of noise and knocking the paint off. Second, when I go through a sharp dip, the chain goes REALLY slack...so much so that it has occasionally slipped under the gearbox where it eventually gets ground in half by rubbing on the PTO shaft (if I don't notice it in time). The last time this happened, when I installed a new chain, I put a bicycle innertube over the chain and also mounted a retaining bracket on the metal PTO cover/shield (which keeps the chain from dropping off to the side and down). Anyway, here is the enhanced version of my mower.

BOB

 

[daveknowshow]

here is an interesting video series that has many great tips for setting up and using the brush hog more efficiently. its a two video series that I'm sure you will be glad you watched.
secrets to setting up a brush hog part 1 - YouTube

 

[airbiscuit]

My first rotary cutter was powered by a 15hp Shibaura. It had a super short wheelbase, and really dug into the ground on uneven terrain. I put guide wheels from a baler on it and it sure made my life easier. They don't need to swivel.

 

[DieselBound]

After getting cutters with floating top links I've found the difference to be like night to day. I managed to do OK, but with the floating top links I'm able to get a good set such that I now rarely have to adjust the lift (except that with my Kioti I've got a hydraulic top link and am changing height quite a bit because now I can do a bit of ditch mowing). While scalping ground sucks, I really hate hitting tree roots and root crowns, which I have plenty of.

 

[RoyJackson]

My first rotary cutter was powered by a 15hp Shibaura. It had a super short wheelbase, and really dug into the ground on uneven terrain. I put guide wheels from a baler on it and it sure made my life easier. They don't need to swivel.

View attachment 522689

That's a nice job!