Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter: Rhino vs. Bushhog?

lowensby · Nov 16, 2013

I have 30 yr old 6 ft Bush Hog cutter that I run with a 42 HP Ford and a 15 yr old Rhino 15 ft batwing cutter that I run behind a 105 HP JD, but I pulled it OK behind a 72 HP Ford. Both are great, tough machines. The Rhino may be a bit heavier duty but each will cut anything it goes over and will take a beating. Each costs about the same for the same type of cutter, but since BH is made in Alabama the freight there will be less. Rhino is made in TX and will cost less there because of shipping. Hard to go wrong with either brand in my opinion.

coss · Nov 16, 2013

I think the argument that a slip clutch is superior to a shear pin is a bit overblown. Unless you are a commercial user where time is money, changing a shear pin is almost free. You can buy bulk pins and nuts at Tractor Supply for less than $2 each. Changing a pin takes perhaps 3 minutes.

I recently finished clearing 12 acres of overgrown fields. I went through 3-4 shear pins. I would be surprised if I broke more than one per year from this point forward because the thick growth is now gone. I think I can afford a couple of bucks and a couple of minutes per year.

bubbacuse77 · Nov 17, 2013

Good on you guys for reviving a thread that is 8 years old.

Cross, I'm with you, I just bought a new Woods Brush Bull and opted for the shear pin vs the money for the slip clutch because I only use it a handful of time a year.

lowensby · Nov 17, 2013

In general I agree with you about shear pins. Slip clutches are a PITA to keep adjusted properly. My BH 306 has a slip clutch. The Rhino 15 ft batwing has one for each of the three spindles. But when working properly they protect the driveline and gearboxes. With slip clutches you have to be less cautious about how tough the stuff is that you will run over. Otherwise you are up and down replacing those pins all the time. I cut heavy duty brush (mesquite and huisatche) up to 4" diameter with both cutters. Safety chains front and rear are essential!

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 17, 2013

For me, the negative with shear pins is that once you break enough pins, the hole wallers out so the shear pin is somewhat loose in the hole. And that little bit of slack allows it to break the pins way too often.

That was my experience with a prior mower with a shear pin years ago. Maybe the metal in the shear pin collar was too soft, or maybe they make them better now. I don't know. My Rhino mower has a slip clutch.