looking for dual-purpose mower???

[eric5324]

Hey I've got a kioti ck20 and looking for a mower that i can take care of small saplings less than 1/2 inch and also get a decent finish cut. Looking at a kingcutter xb. Think this will do the trick?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_34307_______14345|14346|14354|34307?listingPage=true

 

[Ductape]

I've not used a rotary cutter to cut grass myself, but many a TBN member have stated the can make a nice finish cut if you keep the blades sharp !

 

[eric5324]

that's what i was thinking, i don't care if it on the longer side either.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Look for a brand/model that has HIGH LIFT BLADES available as an option or aftermarket. I've got them on a Bush Hog 286. I use it for LOTS of rough mowing and still use it to mow approx 8 acres of grass around my house. Kept sharpened to a 1/8th" edge, as is a standard NEW Bush Hog blade, they do a fantastic job of mowing the "lawn". High lift blades pull the grass up straight (ie tire tracks, ect) so it can be cut at a consistant height.

 

[Farmerford]

Eric:

I have a Kubota 54" MMM, Bush Hog Squealer 480 (48") with 3" X 3/8" lift blades, and a Bush Hog 285 (1' narrower than Farmwithjunk's 286) with 4" X 1/2" lift blades.

The MMM clearly does the neatest job, and it will cut 1/2" saplings/brush without much problem if you slow down a bit. So if you are sure you will cut nothing bigger a MMM should be your choice.

But the Squealer 480 with 3/8" thick blades runs a very close second in neatness to the MMM when the blades are sharp. 1/8" in thickness and 1" in width does not seem like much difference, but is has a large effect on the results and the power required. A Kubota B2400 (18 pto hp) runs the 48" Squealer easily, and I think it is due to the thinner and narrower blades because they require less power to push through the grass and are much easier to keep sharp. I have one 20 acre bottom that I sometimes let grow for a year. No real trees, but the grass is thick and the weeds are head high. The 18pto hp B2400 with the 48" Squealer will mow almost as much as the 27pto hp L2900 with the 60" 285, and I attribute most of that to the difference in blade size.

The Squealer is rated for 1" saplings, and if I take it easy it will handle 2" (at least it has for the past 8 years).

 

[Alt5600]

Flail mowers will typically cut up to 1" saplings, mulch really well, and leave it all good looking.

Something to consider.

 

[eric5324]

thanks alot guys, you gave me something to work with. gotta see what's available locally. been looking for used but it's been slim pickings..

 

[Ford850]

The KK you are looking at probably will not give you the same results as the Bush Hog reviews you are getting. I have a larger KK, and while it is a good mower for the cost, the cut quality is poor as far as "mowing" goes. It has handled everything I have run over including volleyball sized granite rocks and several inch trees. The gear box doesn't leak, and have never replaced the blades. The problem is now that my property is under control and has more grass and weeds than trees and brush, it leaves heavy windrows and does not cut the grass in the tire tracks. I almost wish the darn thing was worn out so I would have an excuse to buy a Bush Hog.

 

[LarryD]

I don't see many (any?) posts from people using J-Bar Manufacturing equipment.

I have their box blade and this Rotary cutter to mow my property. My property is far from level although it is fairly smooth. The four blades and four casters seems to give a pretty good "finish" cut as well as handle some rough cutting. The ｽ" blades have held up well to a few rocks I've encountered.

 

[Cyberroc]

HIGH LIFT BLADES

That is the Key as most brush cutters will not create enough vacuum to lift the grass to cut it properly. Finish mower housings are designed to create the vac affect and lift the grass.

I was thinking along the same as it would be easier to have only 1 mower... I am interested in what a flail could do. I see some that offer brush and finish blades. If a flail would do both, that would be my choice as I could keep my turns tighter. Anyone got pics of brush and finish mowing results?
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