Need advice on what brush hog to get.

[vtsnowedin]

I had a five footer from TSC, country line $799. was using it behind a CUT John Deere. After just ten hours of use it needed bolts re-tightened. It probably is a good idea to flip any new cutter up after the first days work and check things out.
I have a RC2072 ordered with my 5045E, it's a six footer and I'm having the tractor set as wide in the rear as it will go with the wheels turned out and four inch axle extensions it should be close to eight feet out to out. This means I will have a foot on the outside that won't get mowed until the next pass and I wont be able to get within a foot of fence lines or substantial rocks and trees without repeatedly backing up. Probably save tangling up old barbed wire along my old pasture fences and pounding on a few rocks. Having a cutter exactly fit the wheel track of the tractor is nice but not necessary.

 

[TripleR]

Can't really beat the advice so far. I only use Woods or Land Pride, but do a lot of cutting in some heavy stuff. My brothers use theirs a lot like you plan and go with economy cutters with shear pins. They keep them until there isn't anything worth repairing by welding plates on rusted decks or putting new gear boxes on; works great for them.

 

[remington270]

Get a Bush Hog brand if you can afford it, I think my sq480 will outlast me.