Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter size recomendation conflict

[kes]

First - i ask forgiveness - despite being a member for some time - with two young ones I find I not only never post -i hardly get to lurk anymore. I'm hoping to get back to playing with my tractor some this year. that said. the second reason for requesting absolution is that I didnt search as throroughly as I could have though I did do a 6 mth search using key words with no luck this evening.

I finally wanted to break down and spend(ie charge) the $$ for a rotary cutter for my L4310HST. I had been under the impression 6' was what I should target (from dealers) but a local dealer has recomended 5'.
Since I'm writing I'll gladly accept comment on brand and grade level - i did find some interesting - and informative points on the search re that - though conflicting.
I was ordering a woods brushbull bb72 - at i believe @1350. I read tonight comments making me leary of the woods. seeming brush hog and Brown were highly regarded. Money is an issue - though I'm never willing to waste it buying low grade - i guess maybe bang for buck and quality are higher regarded by me. I'm in MA if my old sig leaves that out - dont seem to have local sources (that I know of) for some of the lower priced units that I recall reading about a couple years ago.
Thank you all for your patience in advance - I know for the seasonsed repeditiveness can be souring.
I'll never forget the help you all gave when I got the tractor and that I listened and got larger than I intended - i;ll never regret it and wished it was larger still. - I love it - what little it gets used besides PM. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[art]

I'd be pushing you to buy an 84" bush-hog wth the twin spindles. They have double tail wheels so they ride smooth. They are only back from the tractor the same as a 42" so less front ballast is needed on hills. You only have to mow big stuff once and then the next time it will get more and more like grass. If you were going out for a buisness yes the 72" would be good. But will 5' cover the wheels so you can trim at all?

 

[Slamfire]

If you can spool up the cutter and start moving the tractor at the same time, then the mower is on the small size.

 

[HammerFour]

Hmm, with that 4310 I would be thinking you would want at least the 6' and the 7' is probably an option.

I use a 4' rotary cutter on an almost 20 year old B7100 with 17hp and it cuts great. I have heard of folks using a 5' on a similar size Kubota as what I have with good results as well.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

<font color="red"> I'd be pushing you to buy an 84" bush-hog wth the twin spindles. They have double tail wheels so they ride smooth. They are only back from the tractor the same as a 42" so less front ballast is needed on hills </font>

Hey art, what is the price range for those?

 

[hazmat]

I don't think you should be leery of the woods - If I remember correctly that was a previous generation that had problems (gearbox). I have a BB48 on my 18HP new Holland. Cuts like a champ. I've only had it for a season, so no long term reliability data yet.

I compared many cutters when shopping. Of the locally available (shipping costs priced several out of contention no $500 King Kutters available). I felt that the woods had the best specs (thicker steel etc.) for the money ($900).

I'd go 6' on your machine. Since you've only got 14 acres, I wouldn't spend the money on the 7 footer unless you really need to reduce the time spent cutting. I can mow about an acre an hour with my 4 footer (can't go too fast in the heavier grass due to my limited HP).

 

[art]

They have a list price of 2322. that includes rubber skirting on the front and back. They are rated at 1" tree but I've done double that but there again I would not recommend that for a daily diet. They only come with a slip clutch. I really like them with the offset as it does make cleaning up easy. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Thanks, Art! Sure takes you a while to answer... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I guess I coul buy something really cheap in a 5' rotary and a finish mower. But that would really be better. I wouldn't want to be out cutting and have to go back and switch.

Are you referring to the BushHog SQ84T? I also saw Woods has an 80" Dual. I think I like the Squealer a little better...

Thanks for your speedy response!!

 

[bebster]

KES - what do you plan to do with it (clear land, cut grass, etc.) and how much acreage do you need to do it to? That would be helpful info in giving guidance.

 

[kes]

Just got a moment to check in and I thank you all for you input and suidance. Bebster - I swore I wrote that info in - thanks for catching it - not much good asking w/o giving you all info. My intent for the imediate future is to reclain @14 acres or so that was allowed to go for generations. I've leave some of the larger trees since it won't be planted land - but its impassable with briar, bramble and trees/sappplings of all sizes and definately overcrowded. Needs serious PM/CM. I say for now becasue we have a dream of getting acreage 40+ for a family compound, gentlemans farm etc. it may or may not come to fruition. once the land is reclaimed/improved/ protected (choose your applicable word) it will be primarily for maintaining the property. it is definately not level, had rocks, stumps etc.
thank you all again.