Rotary cutter options, driveline, tailwheel and guarding

firstfruitsfarm · May 10, 2012

Sorry, Soundguy... the LandPride design is just plain weak. I had an old Bush Hog LIGHT DUTY model with a mono-Uchannel tailwheel mount and good welds with never a problem. In addition, the fork design is super weak--just a single flat bar bent in two places. I've broken/bent several of them, and I'm not that hard on stuff. If you go with LandPride and cut anything other than flat, clean land, you're going to have to do some reinforcing yourself and have some spares on hand, or you're not going to be in the field for very long.

creekbend · May 10, 2012

My rotary mower is equipped with a slip clutch, laminated wheel, and chain guards - front and back. In regards to the guards, if you don't want to pay the additional costs, there are threads and posts here on TBN where some members have constructed their own guards - both rubber and chain type. Another factor that I considered before I purchased my rotary mower, was the gauge of the metal. Just a thought? Best wishes.

Soundguy · May 10, 2012

firstfruitsfarm said:
Sorry, Soundguy... the LandPride design is just plain weak. .

...and if you use it like a bulldozer, and back into tree's and rocks it will be damaged. how am I not surprised here..

firstfruitsfarm · May 14, 2012

Well, what can I say....? My land has old, harvested/deadfall trees, hidden by underbrush and saplings. If you're backing into this (even carefully--not bulldozing), you're eventually going to hit a trunk or a stump and put the tailwheel under stress. Every design on the market has its strengths and weaknesses. The LandPride machine has a good quality, heavy-gauge deck and good reinforcing. The hitch mounts are very strong and robust. The tailwheel mount, however, is weak. If a forum member is going to do some of the same work as I do, they might profit from making the tailwheel design a consideration, or planning to add some reinforcement, and adding a little slack to the sway chains to give some warning. Compare the difference between the LandPride design (right) and the older Bush Hog design, which I previously had.

TripleR · May 14, 2012

I have the Land Pride RCR26 Series and have smacked the heck out of stuff without any damage, but it is a different design than the others.

Soundguy · May 14, 2012

i look at it like this. if backing my tractor an implement into a solid object.. I want the cheapest thing to break.. tail wheel mount is EZ to fix or make new... ( BTDT ) didn't take long.. nor was it hard... I don't want my 3pt pins on my trumpets to break off.. and I don't want my aframe to fold as they are harder to make right. and i don't want the deck to buckle.. some of the more economy units are just folded sheet metal anyway.

soundguy

WM75Guy · May 14, 2012

I have a Bush Hog Squealer 172, shear bolts, laminated wheel, and rubber guards. Mine is a medium duty cutter up to 2" diameter so I don't try to cut anything bigger and I rarely break a bolt, maybe 1 a year when my wife forgets the order of engage PTO then throttle up. What can you do? :confused3: After you clear your property of heavy stuff the grass and weeds should not shear bolts.

Like Soundguy said if you back into stuff like a tank something is going to give. If I am concerned I walk the area looking for hidden obstructions. If it is more than a 2" sapling that's why they make chainsaws. I use my equipment but do not abuse it. I would rather hire my dozer guy to clear a large parcel of land instead of tearing up my tractor and cutter. He is faster and makes a cleaner area by taking out the stumps instead of cutting them.

BlacknTan · May 14, 2012

There is no question that the LP tailwheel design is less stout than many of the others. Is it strong enough? That depends on the property and the operator, I guess, but the LP could be signifigantly reinforced without adding too much weight. And out back that far, weight would be a consideration for me. A couple of triangular gussets between the arms, with a few holes to lighten the load should do it fine.

WM75Guy · May 14, 2012

BlacknTan said:
There is no question that the LP tailwheel design is less stout than many of the others. .

The OP is looking at a cutter is specifically a light duty cutter, possibly to match PTO HP. Land Pride uses the first number to designate whether it is designed for light - 1, medium - 2 or heavy -3 duty use. If you want something beefier you have to step up to a 2 or 3 series.

From the LP website: The RCR18 Series Rotary Cutters are available in 60" & 72" widths for light-duty maintenance around the farm, on gently slopes, or slightly contoured right-of-ways.

BlacknTan · May 14, 2012

repowell said:
The OP is looking at a cutter is specifically a light duty cutter, possibly to match PTO HP. Land Pride uses the first number to designate whether it is designed for light - 1, medium - 2 or heavy -3 duty use. If you want something beefier you have to step up to a 2 or 3 series.

From the LP website: The RCR18 Series Rotary Cutters are available in 60" & 72" widths for light-duty maintenance around the farm, on gently slopes, or slightly contoured right-of-ways.

I was referring to the tailwheel design as compared to similar units of other brands, and the LP is somewhat lacking in that regard... Not bashing Land Pride.. I love their implements and own a few.