JD Rotary Cutter or TSC Tarter Gate

Nuru · Jul 22, 2006

I am still debating on getting a JD rotary cutter (land reclimation is more urgent for me right now) or one of those Tartergate units at Tractor Supply. I won' be using this frequently, but I do have a need. I think once I get everything, clutch, chains front and rear, they might be closer in price than I think. I got under $1400 for the JD 60 inch Rotary cuttter fully loaded and ready to go. The TarterGate from TSC istarts out at $669, but I don't know if that is complete or you need to add a few things like chains and the clutch mechanism. The King Kutter version is $724 at TSC. I would imagine it is better than the TGate, but I don't know if it is that much better.

So anyone have any opinions they would liek to share to help me make a decision?

ddivinia · Jul 22, 2006

Which model John Deere cutter are you looking at?

D.

Nuru · Jul 22, 2006

ddivinia said:
Which model John Deere cutter are you looking at?

D.

60" rotary cutter i think it was the MX5 or the LX5. I temporarily misplaced the quote sheet.

ddivinia · Jul 22, 2006

The MX5 is a lot tougher than LX5. You need to look at the differences in construction - the MX5 can handle a lot hard conditions. I have a mX6 on my 4720 and love it.

D.

Nuru · Jul 23, 2006

ddivinia said:
The MX5 is a lot tougher than LX5. You need to look at the differences in construction - the MX5 can handle a lot hard conditions. I have a mX6 on my 4720 and love it.

D.

That is what I gathered from looking at rhe specs in the store.

Deerlope · Jul 23, 2006

Which ever one that you get you will not be happy with the clutch type. If it sits a couple of month between use the disc in the clutch will not lock up when used again. You will have to take it apart and rough up the disc. Shear pin type is a lot less maint.

ddivinia · Jul 23, 2006

I have all clutches - and they are fine. Shear bolts seem to be more of a pain for me. Now, I guess that depends if the equipment is stored inside and if the clutch is maintained as per the manual. Less weather = less corroision on the clutches. In the John Deere manual, it lays out how to slip the clutches on a regular basis to ensure they are not locked up. On the heavier duty unit, they only come with clutch setups.

D.

DK35vince · Jul 23, 2006

Deerlope said:
Which ever one that you get you will not be happy with the clutch type. If it sits a couple of month between use the disc in the clutch will not lock up when used again. You will have to take it apart and rough up the disc. Shear pin type is a lot less maint.

Thats is your opinion, and thats OK.
Personally I much prefer the slip clutch over shear pins..

Nuru · Jul 24, 2006

Deerlope said:
Which ever one that you get you will not be happy with the clutch type. If it sits a couple of month between use the disc in the clutch will not lock up when used again. You will have to take it apart and rough up the disc. Shear pin type is a lot less maint.

sheer pin is ewasier but i plan to keep the unit inside and maintain per JD or other Vendor instructions

Nuru · Jul 24, 2006

ddivinia said:
I have all clutches - and they are fine. Shear bolts seem to be more of a pain for me. Now, I guess that depends if the equipment is stored inside and if the clutch is maintained as per the manual. Less weather = less corroision on the clutches. In the John Deere manual, it lays out how to slip the clutches on a regular basis to ensure they are not locked up. On the heavier duty unit, they only come with clutch setups.

D.

That is what I found when reading up on it.