King Kutter vs Frontier brush hog

[JMER817]

I know these are light duty but that is all I need. Looking at the King Kutter L-72-40-P6-FH for $1149 or the Frontier 2072 for $1250. Any thoughts one way or another? These are both shear pin but thinking about a slip clutch...worth the extra $? I see TSC has a slip clutch add on for $250.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'd go with the rc2072 but order it with the factory slip clutch. They can come with either

Brett

 

[mapper]

I've had a 60" Frontier for about ten(?) years or so, I use it to mow about 5 acres of pasture and some rough area along the driveway. It has consumed a few good sized rocks along the way, enough to ding up the deck a bit. It is still holding up well, I did touch up the paint a couple of years ago to keep the rust under control. I found that I needed to drill some drain holes between the deck supports to keep water from pooling on top of it.
I would have to say that it was a good value for the price, I want to say it was about $850 new when I purchased it.

 

[JMER817]

I'd go with the rc2072 but order it with the factory slip clutch. They can come with either

Brett

The only unit they have is the shear pin type. This is a unique model since it does not have the Frontier or (John Deere) name on it but it is identical. So unable to order.

 

[JMER817]

 

[JMER817]

Ended up finding a nice lightly used Bush Hog brand SQ720. Does anyone know where I can locate a PDF of the manual for this model? I've been on the Bush Hog site and it shows everything else but this model.

 

[Texasmark]

You really don't want a slip clutch if you can help it. If you are continuously whacking things that could rip your drive line apart then yes. However for most of us the occasional unsuspected "whack" is what we experience. Reason for my answer is 37 years of Farming 101 at Hard Knocks U. Most cutters sit out in the weather. The slip clutch has to slip to function. If frozen due to rust or bolts over tightened it can's slip. If bolts are not tightened enough it slips trying to cut normal foliage.

A shear bolt on the other hand, Grade 2 works best with a locking (nylon insert ok) nut, with a tad of slop at the coupling interface....they last longer for me if a little loose.....reason for the locking nut. Just carry a couple of spares with you in addition to a punch, small hammer (or suitable substitute) and a couple of wrenches to fit.

 

[Fallon]

You really don't want a slip clutch if you can help it. If you are continuously whacking things that could rip your drive line apart then yes. However for most of us the occasional unsuspected "whack" is what we experience. Reason for my answer is 37 years of Farming 101 at Hard Knocks U. Most cutters sit out in the weather. The slip clutch has to slip to function. If frozen due to rust or bolts over tightened it can's slip. If bolts are not tightened enough it slips trying to cut normal foliage.

A shear bolt on the other hand, Grade 2 works best with a locking (nylon insert ok) nut, with a tad of slop at the coupling interface....they last longer for me if a little loose.....reason for the locking nut. Just carry a couple of spares with you in addition to a punch, small hammer (or suitable substitute) and a couple of wrenches to fit.

I have to agree with Texasmark. I was upset when I found out my rotary cutter had a pin instead of the clutch it was suppose to. I bought that LandPride rc1260 new & the dealer said it had a clutch. Never broke the OEM sheer pin though. Once I got my tiller & had to do the annual spring clutch maintenance I decided I liked the pin on my rotary better. 0 maintenance over 3 years vs. Half an hour every spring... might be different if you have gnarly mowing & break pins a lot.

 

[coobie]

Ended up finding a nice lightly used Bush Hog brand SQ720. Does anyone know where I can locate a PDF of the manual for this model? I've been on the Bush Hog site and it shows everything else but this model.

Call Wells equipment located in litchfield Mi.They are a brush hog dealer and might be able to get a manual.

 

[bspeedy]

Try looking for a manual for the SQ600. It's the same cutter - just 5' instead of 6'.

I did try googling quickly, but did not find anything. I'm sure I downloaded mine from the internet. Perhaps a good search will reveal something. Good luck.

 

[BrooksAGParts]

View attachment BHRotaryCutter420-sq84t-08.pdf

Here is a manual for the SQ720

Thank you,
Brian - Brooks AG Parts

 

[JMER817]

View attachment 502822

Here is a manual for the SQ720

Thank you,
Brian


Thanks Brian!! Do you happen to have the operators manual?

 

[art]

Don't feel like you are missing something if you don't have the slip clutch! When you are only mowing your own property you will know where your hazards are and the shear bolt will work fine and be less maintenance work for you. To go out commercially I would recommend the slip clutch as we have often heard that there is nothing in the field to worry about!!!????

 

[brown40]

The nice thing about an add-on slip clutch (or overrun protection) is that once you buy it, you can protect every implement you choose to bolt it to. The larger PITA is the change in driveline length they cause, but thats a one time fix. Either means works fine. If you are replacing a lot of pins in the field, that 30 minutes of maintenance at the slow part of the season would just be a memory...
Frontier is rebadged equipment from smaller producers that do not have the marketing power JD wields. If the line comes up in my searches I usually will check to see what the producer charges for the grey, red, yellow or orange version of the same piece just to check the value of the paint and stickers. I think green tint must require some percentage of unobtanium to get that just right color...

 

[Texasmark]

On getting the right color, I buy what I like and sometimes price is paramount. The only JD powered machine I have is my old L110 that I use for my Gator but I have several JD implements showing their age.

Several things you get with JD besides anything else they offer. They have parts available in a day or two for machines built back in the '60's. That costs money to stock parts that are sitting on the shelf. They have field service. I don't need/use it, but I have new neighbors who are not mechanically inclined, never sat in a tractor seat, that need that service. That costs money. JD supplies products worldwide to multi-industries that a lot of other companies don't....single usage OEM, like tractors below a certain hp, implements to name a couple. That takes an organization. That takes overhead expenses. That costs money. Leave it be. Your money, if you don't like the price, buy elsewhere. I do. My 2c on the subject.