Rotary Cutter Rotary cutter size recomendation conflict

bebster · Jan 7, 2004

KES - I'd recommend a cutter just a bit wider than your tractor (so you can get up along side of what you want to cut), but any bigger you're probably not going to need. In MA the cutting season is short enough that one or two rough cuttings a year (of cleared) land will keep it under control. You must be in western MA?

I recently have been clearing land as well, and took my 5' rotary cutter on a "shock and awe" effort and cut down a lot of brush/saplings that had been growing for years. However, halfway thru I switched to my FEL with toothbar to try to get more of it up by the roots. If it had just rained, I was pretty successful, and if it was too stubborn usually a couple of minutes of backhoe work and it was done.

It takes longer to go after the roots, but at least the trees/brush won't be growing back next year. Also this was land that I wanted to plant, and I couldn't do that with the root systems still in place. Besides, what will I do when I'm done!

Can't comment on the Woods cutter, but that brand does have a good reputation. They make a lot of the implements that John Deere sells under their Frontier brand name.

gordon · Jan 7, 2004

Hay Kes, I have the same model tractor and do a fair amount of rotary cutting with it. I've got both a 5 and 6 foot rotary cutter. Both excel at different things.

The five footer is an International machinery cutter and I use it mainly in the woods because not only of it's with but also it's alot shorter than my Rhino cutter making it alot more maneuverable. Bad thing is it doesn't cover my tire tracks entirely. So that is the down fall if your going for a pretty cut.

The six footer is a Rhino and it overlaps the wheelbase by just a few inches on each tire. Perfect in size for larger cutting with a much longer tail wheel than the five footer. It also weighs alot more as well. I wouldn't want to run anything wider than the 6 footer in real thick stuff.

So far I've never bought a rotary cutter brand new. Been lucky I guess at finding good deals, alot cheaper than buying new. The way I look at it is I'm just going to abuse it anyway so why buy new if I don't have to.

If I were to own just one cutter it would be a six footer no lighter than a medium duty cutter.

good luck
Gordon

grandad · Jan 7, 2004

The local guy is trying to unload his 5 footer on you. A 6' cutter is about perfect for your 4310. That's what I have on my 4610 - virtually the same tractor. You could even go larger but it's not worth the extra $$$. Woods is a good brand... they have a couple different grades of cutters. A medium duty one should be fine for you.

One other suggestion... use your FEL to down anything larger than 2" before you mow. You probably already knew that /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

kes · Jan 7, 2004

thank you all again. I appologize for not putting more info in the orig post - I'd have sworn I had - remember typing it - must;ve lost it somehow being the expert I am /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I really appreicate all the feedback.
I'm SE ma maybe 30 min from the bridge to the cape - and funny - I pretty much stumbled over the fact that I could uproot things when i was feeling out the new (to me) tractor and bumping into things. My first add on was a toothblade from Carver back then - due to that discovery. I appreicate you all bringin it up sense I wasn't sure it was cosidered a proper way to conduct buisiness - seeing as I lifted the back of the tractor up by accident more than once - addition number two (a used rear blade) has helped that dept. - I have turf tires so she is a bit challenged sometimes - I know she can do more than I am capable of telling her to do. Listening to everyone, including price on wider, PLUS I ended up in the shop and pulled to owners manual. your all guiding me to:
tractor manual says 43HP w/ @37HP PTO - says limit 72" on rotary cutter and 880 lbs (FW thats all worth) - took out a tape since I managed to get near the tractor today - your right on - 5' would be just under - 6' would be over a few inches each side. 7' would be nice but theres the $$ and maneuverability. Woods seems to be the most accesbile to me here - looked for the brush hog and Brown isn't local.

guess the issue at the moment is that I had priced the lighter duty vs medium.
I've been looking local for used ones (not overly aggressively) for the couple years since I've dreamed of one and haven't found one yet. Guess I'm getting the itch.
your a wonderfull group and I thank you for allowing and tolerating my participation. I only hope I can help someone as much as you alwyas help me. I'm still listening - just want to say thank you and update my thoughts - used is more than fine and even preferred.

rdam · Jan 8, 2004

This is out of the Bush Hog, Squealer, sales brochure.
Remeber the squealer is their "light duty" model.

SQ600 (5 ft), 25-40 recommended tractor HP, 522 lbs
SQ720 (6 ft), 30-45 recommended tractor HP, 650 lbs
SQ840 (7 ft), 50-85 recommended tractor HP, 925 lbs

I have an SQ720 on my Kubota L3830. I think they're a good match.

dougzdog · Jan 8, 2004

i saw a couple used ones for sale in ma, in the wantad. i think one was a woods.

pekabu · Jan 8, 2004

Where in MA? How much? I am in Southern NH and looking for a cutter.

bebster · Jan 8, 2004

I would wait and find a good deal on the medium duty (instead of light duty). I think you'll be happier with it in the long run. The rotary cutter is a nice ballast for the tractor, so you might try the FEL with toothbar to get saplings out by the roots (the back end should stay down with the cutter attached), and use the cutter for grass, etc.

pekabu · Jan 9, 2004

Hi, I am looking for a 4 or 5 foot rotary and or a 5' finish mower. I have been looking some but haven't found anything. If you come across anything I would appreciate it if you could ping me about it.

thanks
Dave

kes · Jan 9, 2004

just as an update - Contacted Brown and got their distributer in NY who had us call a local in VT - ie convoluted and also not availalbe till april (as i remember the message plus expensive (not saying not worth it - just an issue for me)). USed would be great if I locate one - 6' may be best for my app (based on listening to you -all , tractor spec, budget and my tite spaces) thought that double 84 sounds great if one is dropped in the back yard by a chopper. i'll post when something happens or I have a revelation. I now realize I missed reading the TBN forum - thank you again