MMM vs. Brush Hog

[Dave c.]

What kind of results can I expect from a 4 ft XB Rotary Cutter attached to my bx2230? Will it cut just fine grass? I don稚 really have any brush that needs to be cut up just about an acre of weeds & sand.
I really don稚 want to spend the extra money on a MMM. I just want to knock the grass & weeds down reasonably well.

 

[radioman]

A brush hog doesnt provide same cut as MMM does. However you can try to make it close to it. IF you take the blade off and sharpen the bushhog blades so its sharp like a regular mower blade, you can get close to finish cut but with a possible swirling action left behind. A regular bush hig blade is blunt to take the repeated abuse of whacking woody materail rather then cutting grass. there are rear finishing mower out there that does better job then a bush hog since it has more then one blade and has better discharge. If all you have is open feilds and nothing to mow around, then I guess a rear equipment would suit you.

 

[SailorBob]

I use a rotary cutter to cut most of the grass at my place since I don't own a finish mower. It takes some practice to get it to look good and you cannot cut as close as a finish mower. That just gives you more excuses to use the tractor. I use a push mower around the house.

 

[Typhoon]

As much as I understand physics, mechanical things and the like, the rotary cutter has always left me thinking "how is that possible". What I am saying is, a rotary cutter blade is WAAAY slower than a finish mower blade, VERY dull, and has virtually no lift. But for some reason, my bush hog will always surprise me and still make grass look pretty good! My finish mower does a better job, and will cut closer, but you can get a suprisingly good cut from a rotary cutter. Especially if you sharpen the blades. I don't know much about mid mount mowers, I have heard from a couple folks that have them, that they are not crazy about them. But again, I have never owned one.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I've got a BX24 and like the mid mount mowers 'cause they're easier to manuver around tight spaces and close to the house. When turnig the hogs can be a little tricky in tight quarters. You can also keep the MMM on when doing other stuff as long as your not doing any heavy excavating that might require you to drive over large stuff that will mess up the deck. I can also put on the rear blade and touch up the drive with the MMM on and move gravel and dig. I leave my MMM on almost all summer unless excavating. When parking with the MMM on it takes up less room and doesn't require as long of a trailer to move while attached. However in larger fields I like the rear mounted mowers 'cause when hitting the sandy or dusty areas the dust is behind you and not under/next to you(the operator). Also, if you have a quick hitch set up for the three pt, installation and removal of the rear mower might be quicker.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN Dave

Why not look for a RFM (Rear Finish Mower)? They are usually less then half the cost of a MMM and are made to cut grass. I think you will have mixed results with a rotary cutter.

 

[farmboy12]

x2 for the vote on the rear finish mower. We use ours to cut light brush, and it also leaves a neat cut. It surprises us. Ours is a 72" Land Pride. It does great!


Kyle