Pull behind brush cutter

[Stomper]

This isn’t a tractor implement I suppose but more of an ATV implement, but with the knowledge base here I’m sure you will be able to help.
My local cross country ski club is looking for a pull behind brush cutter that can be pulled behind a Atv or UTV, to make trail clearing in the fall time a bit easier. Right now we do it manually. It would be used to cut down the new growth, such as willow saplings and grasses that sprout up between the winter seasons. Any suggestions on what kind of things I should be looking for as far a options or design would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gee Ray]

Swisher, DR, and a few others make call behind rotary cutters for ATVs. I had a Swisher, but it was the finish mower, not a rotary cutter. I liked it quite well. With the offset hitch, you should be able to ride down the middle of the trail cutting on one side and turn around and come back on the opposite side. Check on craigslist and Facebook for used ones as they show up frequently.

If you happen to look at a used one, get the model number and check with the manufacturer and make sure that parts are still available.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I think there wouldn’t be many self powered pull rotary cutters. Finish mowers yes, brush cutters no. It would take a heck of an engine to make it worth while. My advice is to pay a local person to do.

 

[nisaacs]

I have an older model 52" Swisher brush cutter that works really well and parts are no problem. It does weigh 700 lbs so a smaller ATV or garden tractor is a little too small. Some of the bigger ATV's/UTV's are probably fine. I had to upgrade to a tractor, however, my brush was tough.

Country Cut 52" 14.5 HP 12V Rough Cut Mower - RC14552CPKA - FREE SHIPPING

 

[diesel85]

Only other problem with tow behind is the fact that you can't lift it over stumps and other debris/hazards.

It's fine for areas that you know what's hidden below.

 

[ArlyA]

If you'd like a flail, I'd suggest the British made Chapman. Myself, I'd stay away from the low dollar ones no matter the style.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I have an older model 52" Swisher brush cutter that works really well and parts are no problem. It does weigh 700 lbs so a smaller ATV or garden tractor is a little too small. Some of the bigger ATV's/UTV's are probably fine. I had to upgrade to a tractor, however, my brush was tough.

Country Cut 52" 14.5 HP 12V Rough Cut Mower - RC14552CPKA - FREE SHIPPING

View attachment 775162

Wow, 3”!!! I have a Woods 60” behind my Kubota. It only does 2”. and my 105HP gearbox BH3008 does 3”.

 

[oosik]

NISAACS A couple questions, if you don't mind. Is that cutter offset to either side and, if so, how far. And what is your pig eating there

 

[leonz]

This isn’t a tractor implement I suppose but more of an ATV implement, but with the knowledge base here I’m sure you will be able to help.
My local cross country ski club is looking for a pull behind brush cutter that can be pulled behind a Atv or UTV, to make trail clearing in the fall time a bit easier. Right now we do it manually. It would be used to cut down the new growth, such as willow saplings and grasses that sprout up between the winter seasons. Any suggestions on what kind of things I should be looking for as far a options or design would be greatly appreciated.

The RAMMY ATV UTV front mounted flail mower will do everything you need all season long.

I don't know if they have a dealer in your area yet but it would be simple enough to order one
from METSA machines in Michigan and have them ship it by AMTRAK to the nearest freight depot
for you.


LeonZ

 

[nisaacs]

NISAACS A couple questions, if you don't mind. Is that cutter offset to either side and, if so, how far. And what is your pig eating there

Here is a better picture of the front towing setup. You can also flip the tow bar and it gives you a little more offset but it is hard on the hitch. I tow it centered now and just drive the tractor right over the top of the brush. With the quad and garden tractor I couldn't do that. She is eating alfalfa hay, she is my helper...

 

[airbiscuit]

The RAMMY ATV UTV front mounted flail mower will do everything you need all season long.

I don't know if they have a dealer in your area yet but it would be simple enough to order one
from METSA machines in Michigan and have them ship it by AMTRAK to the nearest freight depot
for you.


LeonZ

 

[ArlyA]

I've got experience with a tow behind brush mower and used it on rough trails. I'm not sold on this front mounted Rammy idea. I think we'd have broke it.

 

[leonz]

Rammy has been building the flail mowers for quite a while along with rotary lawn mowers, rotary brush cutters
and single stage snow throwers.

They stopped making the ATV/UTV 2 stage snow blowers a couple of years ago which in my opinion
was a wise decision as the single stage snow throwers are simpler to build as they require less fabrication
work with stronger sheet steel and fewer parts.

 

[tmcj]

I used a Swisher 44" rough cut pull behind with my atv for several years until I got my tractor and a 5' brush hog. It worked great for weeds and light brush. It had a 12.5 hp pull start Briggs engine. The biggest problem I had was the atv would get hot from the continuous slow speeds. I have a Yamaha Grizzly 700. It didn't overheat but the gas in the tank would literally boil and needed vented frequently. The mower held up really well though. Only sold it because it became obsolete once I had the tractor and brush hog. But I do miss it sometimes due to the offset capability. They aren't cheap but well worth it for trail maintenance like you are looking for. Just make sure it is a rough cut with brush hog style free swinging blades and not a finish mower with fixed blades.
View attachment 775593

 

[nch77]

The swisher 44" with the larger 14.5 hp motor is the best one you can get I think, way better than the DR or the Kunz. Those other two are way overpriced and don't have the swinging blades and stump jumper. I pull it with a Grizzly 450, never overheats even in late summer, but mine is one with liquid cooling. If a 700 was overheating it might need some coolant checked.

 

[Gee Ray]

I found these last night. Made to be pulled by horse but I am sure they could be pulled by a tractor. And they are bigger. Up to 90 inches.

The Grass Hippo Rotary Mowers by Suplee Hollow Machine

Manufactured in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, The Grass Hippo rotary mowers blend tough durability and professional quality into a commercial grade machine.

thegrasshippo.com

I am sure they are not cheap but I bet they are well made. It should be easy to make an offset hitch.

I was thinking the self propelled mowers behind lower hp tractors.

 

[scootr]

A horse drawn mower. Don't that beat all?
I had a mott hammer knife 48" tow behind flail mower yrs ago. I towed it with the craftsman mower. But the mower tires pushed the grass down and mower missed some of the pushed down grass. SO I put it on the front of the mower which cut great but made the the little tractor front heavy and the rear wheel drive slipped badly so ... eventually I gave up and bought something bigger. Better.

 

[ArlyA]

The swisher 44" with the larger 14.5 hp motor is the best one you can get I think, way better than the DR or the Kunz. Those other two are way overpriced and don't have the swinging blades and stump jumper. I pull it with a Grizzly 450, never overheats even in late summer, but mine is one with liquid cooling. If a 700 was overheating it might need some coolant checked.

Hummmm the swisher is the best built? They sure are lightly build. Last time I checked, Kunz didn't build a rough terrian, rough cut mower. DR does build a rought mower which does have swing blades but its not built to last and I can't recommend them. No atv should be over heating unless it has some cooling system probelm.

 

[nch77]

Hummmm the swisher is the best built? They sure are lightly build. Last time I checked, Kunz didn't build a rough terrian, rough cut mower. DR does build a rought mower which does have swing blades but its not built to last and I can't recommend them. No atv should be over heating unless it has some cooling system probelm.

I've been beating on mine for the last ten years or so, the only weak point is the hitch that I had to add a piece of angle iron to reinforce. Kunz builds a rough cut mower, very expensive but it uses heavy fixed blades. The DR has swinging blades but no stump jumper. The swisher is pretty heavy for an ATV mower, obviously its light compared to a tractor drawn bush hog though.

 

[ckirklen]

I used a Swisher 44" rough cut pull behind with my atv for several years until I got my tractor and a 5' brush hog. It worked great for weeds and light brush. It had a 12.5 hp pull start Briggs engine. The biggest problem I had was the atv would get hot from the continuous slow speeds. I have a Yamaha Grizzly 700. It didn't overheat but the gas in the tank would literally boil and needed vented frequently. The mower held up really well though. Only sold it because it became obsolete once I had the tractor and brush hog. But I do miss it sometimes due to the offset capability. They aren't cheap but well worth it for trail maintenance like you are looking for. Just make sure it is a rough cut with brush hog style free swinging blades and not a finish mower with fixed blades.
View attachment 775593

I second that opinion. I pulled the 12.5hp Swisher rough cutter behind a Mule 4x4 UTV for 4 years until I could swing a tractor and Bush Hog. The Swisher didnt cut pretty like a finish mower would, but it would eat absolutely anything it could be pulled across, including vines, small trees, and thick brush. I can remember pulling it through overgrowth that was 4 feet high and it mangled it all. It’s actually perfectly suited to clearing trails, and when I got my tractor and PTO cutter, I donated the Swisher to a local mountain biking/rails-to-trails org. They were tickled pink!