Rotary cutter preference

[Hay Dude]

Deere

 

[Brady D]

Deere

View attachment 745316

You think a 32 hp ford could pull that

 

[OzarkChris]

What brand of rotary cutter have you had the best luck out of or prefer the most

I'm not a real fan of one brand over another. I do however, subscribe to the notion that Bush hogs (or anything else for that matter) that are "Heavy Duty" and use a clutch instead of sheer pins is a much better choice than "regular" duty or light duty ones with pins.

I really, really dislike sheer pins. Seems they usually break at the absolute worst part of a project. The only implement I currently have with pins, instead of a clutch, is a post hole digger (about 30-40 yrs old - brand escapes me.). It typically snaps a pin when the auger is about 35-40" down and full of clay.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You think a 32 hp ford could pull that

With the pto off and up on a decent road, sure...

SR

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm not a real fan of one brand over another. I do however, subscribe to the notion that Bush hogs (or anything else for that matter) that are "Heavy Duty" and use a clutch instead of sheer pins is a much better choice than "regular" duty or light duty ones with pins.

I really, really dislike sheer pins. Seems they usually break at the absolute worst part of a project. The only implement I currently have with pins, instead of a clutch, is a post hole digger (about 30-40 yrs old - brand escapes me.). It typically snaps a pin when the auger is about 35-40" down and full of clay.

I agree. I started out with sheer pins and kept breaking them. The slip clutch was money well spent!!!

I have a Land Pride 6 foot rotary cutter and 7 foot finish mower. I like them, but I also abused them pretty bad when I first bought my land by clearing areas that I probably shouldn't have.

I'm currently waiting on a 70hp tractor, which is twice as big as what I've been using to mow. My goal is to get a 12 foot batwing after the tractor gets here, or as soon as I can afford it. Land Pride is at the top of my list, but so is Rhino and Woods. Maybe Modern. It seems that most 12 foot batwings are rated for 1 1/2 inch material and 35 to 40hp ratings, but only a few brands have a heavy duty 12 foot mowers that I'm interested in.

The good thing about Land Pride is that it's always been easy to get parts for them. Kubota sells them, so any Kubota dealer can get the parts, but Messicks.com sells parts online for every Land Pride model, and they are super easy and fast to deal with. Before I switch brands, I need to be sure that I can get parts online for that brand. But my biggest factor will be in finding one for sale!!! It's become very hard to find 12 foot batwings.

 

[oosik]

I have 80 acres but no GREAT fields of grass to mow. My meadows are kept well "mowed" thru an agreement with my neighbor and his cattle. I would like a rotary cutter to prune down my Buck brush. Buck brush - 1/4" in diameter - two feet tall - thick as hair on a hound dog.

I have looked at Brown 415 and Rhino TW35. I'm still considering...........

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm currently waiting on a 70hp tractor, which is twice as big as what I've been using to mow. My goal is to get a 12 foot batwing after the tractor gets here, or as soon as I can afford it. Land Pride is at the top of my list, but so is Rhino and Woods. Maybe Modern. It seems that most 12 foot batwings are rated for 1 1/2 inch material and 35 to 40hp ratings,

I've love to see a 35, 40hp tractor run a 12' mower in ANYTHING that REALLY needed mowing!!

NO way it could do it for long, if at all!

SR

 

[Brady D]

I'm not a real fan of one brand over another. I do however, subscribe to the notion that Bush hogs (or anything else for that matter) that are "Heavy Duty" and use a clutch instead of sheer pins is a much better choice than "regular" duty or light duty ones with pins.

I really, really dislike sheer pins. Seems they usually break at the absolute worst part of a project. The only implement I currently have with pins, instead of a clutch, is a post hole digger (about 30-40 yrs old - brand escapes me.). It typically snaps a pin when the auger is about 35-40" down and full of clay.

Didn’t know sheer pins were that bad

 

[Brady D]

With the pto off and up on a decent road, sure...

SR

Haha

 

[RalphVa]

I've only had a JD LX4 and Frontier RC2048. The Frontier is better in that its gearbox does not get hot like the LX4, and the stump jumper stays in place when you remove the blades. It does show some dents and the back part with the chains on it is getting bent up a bit.

Recently changed out the gearbox oil (since 2013) on the Frontier, and it had a bit of water in the bottom. Seems to be the norm.

 

[Brady D]

I've only had a JD LX4 and Frontier RC2048. The Frontier is better in that its gearbox does not get hot like the LX4, and the stump jumper stays in place when you remove the blades. It does show some dents and the back part with the chains on it is getting bent up a bit.

Recently changed out the gearbox oil (since 2013) on the Frontier, and it had a bit of water in the bottom. Seems to be the norm.

Never changed the oil in mine probably should do it though

 

[cathy liebchen]

Brown, Brown and Brown. The best cutter you can buy. Not inexpensive by any means. We have or have had had 5 or 6 different brands-LP, Lowery, Woods and Bush Hog are all fine. But by far the Browns are best

 

[Brady D]

Brown, Brown and Brown. The best cutter you can buy. Not inexpensive by any means. We have or have had had 5 or 6 different brands-LP, Lowery, Woods and Bush Hog are all fine. But by far the Browns are best

I’ve seen a few good things about brown haven’t seen one in person before

 

[oosik]

I've seen a few Rhino's - not the TW3 series though. I never seen a Brown. Maybe I'm just too far West and I don't think they have dealers.

 

[Hay Dude]

You think a 32 hp ford could pull that

No, but they make smaller ones?

 

[Hay Dude]

Never changed the oil in mine probably should do it though

I would suggest annual gearbox oil change. Gearboxes are wicked expensive compared to the cost of a couple quarts of gearbox oil.
If your gearboxes get hot, it’s likely they have moisture in them. Buy a $30 laser heat gun and shoot them while you mow. Great way to learn how hot they get and what is normal operating temps.

 

[JethroB]

When I revived a flail mower from the weeds last year I checked the gear oil after a test run. Oil looked like melted strawberry ice cream. With an oil flush then refill I think it’s ok. $20 for two quarts of 90W.

 

[Brady D]

I've seen a few Rhino's - not the TW3 series though. I never seen a Brown. Maybe I'm just too far West and I don't think they have dealers.

I’ve only seen pictures of the browns

 

[Brady D]

I would suggest annual gearbox oil change. Gearboxes are wicked expensive compared to the cost of a couple quarts of gearbox oil.
If your gearboxes get hot, it’s likely they have moisture in them. Buy a $30 laser heat gun and shoot them while you mow. Great way to learn how hot they get and what is normal operating temps.

I’ll have to try that

 

[Williy]

I have a 5 ft woods cutter very well made.
I will never be able to wear it out in my
life time

willy