Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter q's

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2003

Rotary cutter q\'s

I am going to purchase a Branson 3520 with fel and am in the market for 3 pt. implements. I have 13 very messy acres to clear (many decent size saplings, heavy multiflora rose, etc.) and a lot of road cutting to do. From what I have learned from this forum, the two most important 3 pt. implements (as important as the tractor, I think) are a 5' hd rotary cutter and 6' hd boxblade. That much I know so far (I hope!). Questions:
1. What is the upper weight limit for the implements? In other words, should I be worried about putting a 1200# rotary cutter on this tractor?
2. I have read many of the posts about the basics of boxblades and rotary cutters. When purchasing a package deal, you are somewhat stuck with what the dealer carries. What would be some good specs to look for with these implements with the tractor I'm going to purchase and the uses they will get. ie) how much gearbox hp, one or two blades, thickness of blades, slipclutch, thickness of sides and top deck, stump jumper type/thickness?

JohnMiller3 · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

What are the implement brands your dealer carries...? (that you're basically forced to choose from)

I'm not that familar with this model... but 1200 lbs.(brush hog wise) hanging off the back end (even with a loader attached) might be a tad too much, especially doing side-hilling and inclines...

( ...many decent size saplings... hd rotary cutter...)

Define "decent size"... how big, how many inches...? ...and "HD" RC may be overkill for you on a 1800c.c. unit (you won't have the torque to sustain the cutter)...

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

Thanks, John. Decent means 2-3", and a lot of them. Not a forest but one every 8 or so'. You can take a look at my website in my profile, if you can stand the pictures of me! 1200# was just an example. I'm trying to figure out what the upper weight limit for implements for this tractor is. It weighs close to 4000# with the fel (am considering filling the rear tires with foam for extra weight and flat protection but this is expensive).

The brands of implements are: international for the rotary cutter ($825 for 5' with slip clutch), southern ?? (never heard of this one) for the boxblade ($345 for 6'), howse for a md post hole digger ($500 with 12" auger), and york for the landscape rake ($315 for 6'). I'm not sure what the specs are for the international (except the top deck is 10 gauge)-- have heard some good things about them but I'm trying to get out of the dealer what the specs are. What I have discovered is the dealers are apt to call something heavy duty just b/c that's how they describe it--not how it is manufactured. I'm specifically wondering about gearbox hp, blade thickness, deck and sidewall thickness. The rotary cutter I'm being quoted only weight 520#, which struck me as a bit light for a hd cutter.

WVBill · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

I don't have a rotary cutter because my land was pasture before my house was built. But the thought occured to me that you may only need a heavy duty rotary cutter once. If you plan to cut all the 2 - 3" saplings and then keep the field clear, you'll never have 2 -3" saplings to cut again. So maybe just rent a HD rig or hire it done the first time and you'll only need a light to medium duty cutter after that.
Just a thought.

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

That's a good idea but my situation is a bit unique. I'll only be able to work on the property once or twice a month for quite a few years, so it's going to take me a while to get it cleared, making renting inefficient. I don't want to hire this out because 1) want to make sure it get done the way I want it and 2) it's going to be fun.

tdenny · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

Jas5n,

First Choice has two sized box blades for each width. The -20 is a little less thick than the -30 but I would consider both to be "heavy duty". I originally ordered the -30 due to the rocks that are growing in my "soil" but due to back order I accepted the -20 instead. I can't imagine needing any more steel than what I've gotten.

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

Still interested in hearing any feedback about how heavy a piece of equipment you should attach to the 3 point hitch. It's rated at 2500# lift capacity. Is there some rough formula to go by?

Bird · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

( Still interested in hearing any feedback about how heavy a piece of equipment you should attach to the 3 point hitch. It's rated at 2500# lift capacity. Is there some rough formula to go by? )

Jonathan, I don't know of any formula, but is that 2500# rating at the hitch, or some given distance (like 24") behind the hitch? I'm sure you know that the farther back the rear end of an implement is from the tractor, the more leverage it exerts, and of course, you have to consider not only the weight lifting capacity of the 3-point hitch, but also how much weight will it take to lift the front wheels (with or without weight on the front end).

19th_VA · Feb 4, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

Not sure really. It's the 3 point hydraulic lift capacity, so I think it's just the amount of weight that can be lifted by the hydraulics. I do have a fel, so that should help the tipping factor. John Miller seemed to think 1200# might be a bit much, so I'm just trying to figure how what a good limit might be for weight for the rotary cutter.

John_Mc · Feb 9, 2003

Re: Rotary cutter q\'s

Woods makes two rotary cutters in the 5' size which you might be interested in:

the "BB60" cutter weighs 554#. Gearbox is rated at 50 HP. Recommended tractor HP is 25-50. cutting deck is 11 gauge, side skirts are 10 guage. Blades are 3/8" thick. Woods calls this their "Standard Duty" cutter. I own one of these (run it behind my NH TC33D which I believe is a good bit lighter than your tractor). I've had no problems with it. have occasionally cut 1.5-2" saplings. On a few occasions, I've cut larger (2.5-3"), but that was generally softer woods, such as pine. I've walloped some stumps and busted up a few rocks. The only damage to the cutter so far is dulled blades (easy to remedy) and a small bulge in my cutting deck where a rock got thrown up into it.

The other model to check out is the "BB600". This thing is built like a tank! Weighs 1039#. Gearbox is rated at 120 HP. Recommended tractor HP is 30-120. cutting deck is 10 gauge, side skirts are 1/4" thick. Blades are 1/2" thick. Woods calls this their "medium-duty" cutter, but is is as heavy or heavier than many of the "heavy duty" cutters I've seen other dealers plugging. It was definitely overkill for my needs.

Hope this gives you an idea of what a 5 foot rotary cutter should weigh in various configurations. Woods has a solid reputation, so this should make a decent benchmark for you. I would not call a the 520# unit your dealer is trying to sell you a "heavy duty" unit. But that does not mean it will not work for you. I'm not familiar with that brand of cutter, so I can't say for sure.

John Mc