rotary cutter

[darrenjttu]

I looking at new rotary cutters and I was wondering what is the benefit of having 2 rear wheels on the cutter as opposed to just the one.

 

[PJSprog]

In a word, stability.

 

[oldnslo]

two wheels would also prevent or reduce scalping and or gouging from the tail wheel falling a hole.

 

[big bubba]

what is the width of the cutter on your rotary? is there a choice of 1 or 2 tail wheels on what you are looking at? never seen 2 on a 5', or on a 6'. for 7' well maybe, on an 8' a must. btw i would not chose a 7' single spindle cutter, go 6' single or 8' twin spindle & of course, 2 tail wheels.

 

[darrenjttu]

Some of the manufacturers have it as an option. I'm looking at woods and Kodiak and 6 or 7 footers. Of course it might not be an option for the 6 footers or even needed.

 

[big bubba]

your question is a good one. as mentioned for stability & quality of cut, i would go w/2 tail wheels in what ever you decide. what is your pto hp on your tractor, 40 or so? if so, think 6' w/2 tail wheels would be a good match for the set up. imho a 7' rotary is sort of a ******* size pardoning the expression. do you have a fel for counterweight? best regards

 

[rustyshakelford]

After having a 7' I would encourage you to look into an 8'. It'll pull easier and doesn't stick out so far. The 7' takes a bunch more power slinging those big blades over an 8' that is basically two 4' mowers

Brett

 

[darrenjttu]

No front end loader but plenty of weights up front. My tractor is 31 hp so I was looking at mainly 6ft. I don't have really thick brush, mostly fields but I do have some woods. I am still looking at heavy duty and a thick deck because I do have a lot of rocks.

 

[big bubba]

good choice. to me 8' would be way overkill esp w/no fel. wise choice on the hd 6' version w/2 tail wheels. might look in your tractor's owners manual for the max weight spec 3 pt. lift cap. of a rotary cutter in that category. wise to look at hd & 2 tail wheels if your rig can handle esp up a hill, etc. best regards. what is the weight of the 6' cutter you're looking at, 1200 lbs?
& don't forget the required pto hp of that cutter

 

[darrenjttu]

I'm looking at bb720x. It weights 1200lbs.

 

[TripleR]

Mostly what big bubba said, with the exception of it makes barking a tree a bit more likely in tight spaces as the side wheels increase the arc contact point in tight turns and in some ditch mowing you will be more rather than less likely of scalping.

I've found a single tail wheel best on 6' and under.

You really have to consider use and terrain on your own property, I don't cut really close with my 6' so single is not needed, if I cut really close I'll drag the skirt, so one may benefit from dual wheels. I also mow in tight trees and am reforesting some land, so my turning arc is really important.

We use 4', 5', 6' and 10', if I could justify it, I'd get an 8', but never a 7'.

 

[Shaneard]

If you are bent on buying a new one get a name brand, Woods, Landpride, Bush Hog brand, etc. You will thank yourself in the years to come when you need parts. I bought a used Woods BB72X off Craigslist for $1,300.00 About half price of a new one. I had to put new blades on it and ordered them from a Woods dealer and had them shipped to my door. I use it behind the Ford 4630 and was bush hogging stuff that was thick and higher than the canopy and no problems and the finish it left was awesome. If your tractor is rated 31HP at the engine I think you will have a hard time pulling a 6' in anything other than clipping light grass.

 

[big bubba]

"If your tractor is rated 31HP at the engine I think you will have a hard time pulling a 6' in anything other than clipping light grass." shaneard

tend to agree. plus believe some of the heavier duty models require slightly more pto hp than std ones. in addition, a cutter of that size extends quite a ways from the 3 pt hitch that could make it awkward with a tractor that size. a 40hp + tractor would be a more suitable match for a 6' hd cutter. tough call. triple r makes a good point on the tail wheels that i hadn't considered. best of luck.

 

[MF283]

what is the width of the cutter on your rotary? is there a choice of 1 or 2 tail wheels on what you are looking at? never seen 2 on a 5', or on a 6'. for 7' well maybe, on an 8' a must. btw i would not chose a 7' single spindle cutter, go 6' single or 8' twin spindle & of course, 2 tail wheels.

Why, my 30+ year old 7' JD still cuts great:confused3:

Ronnie

 

[Fallon]

Why, my 30+ year old 7' JD still cuts great:confused3:

Ronnie

A 7' gets REALLY long, which makes it pull harder on the 3pt & back end because of all the leverage, not to mention the manuverability issues. A twin spindle 8' is much shorter, so you need less front end weight to be able to steer. A 7' works, but tends to be very unpopular compared to a 6' or a 8' twin spindle.

 

[big bubba]

in addition, a 7' cutter has massive blades that produce a lot of shock when you hit something. a twin spindle, imho, is a far more balanced set up and does not generate near the vibration if you hit a rock, etc. also, as mentioned above, the 8' is shorter in length. have also noticed my quality of cut with the twin spindle produces a better cut than my previous 6' hog. but...everything has it's place & glad the 7' has worked out for mf283 :thumbsup:

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a BB720X. My tractor is rated at 48PTO hp I don't even rev my engine up all the way to run it. I think you'll be fine with a smaller engine. Tail wheel wise, I've got one tail wheel and think that it is good for navigating around trees and such.

 

[MF283]

I have to admit, a MX8 is high on my list of want's, used to have a 10' Fred Cain that i wish i hadn't sold with a bigger tractor.
I had another 7' International hog years ago, served me well. I maintain several trails around our property, the 7' will always have a home here for that.

Ronnie

 

[Sawyer Rob]

With all the trouble jd has had with their cutters, I don't think a deer cutter would even be on, my list!

Make mine a Woods cutter pleeeaseeee...

SR

 

[HEC]

I have 21 year old 6 ft. bush hog which is still going strong , the only thing I have noticed is the stump jumper is beginning to rust out . I agree on the hp issue with a 6 ft . If I get into some tall , really heavy hay my 57 hp tractor will begin to work with the 6 ft even with sharp blades on flat ground , and that's not trying to go to fast . I think a 5 ft. would be a better bet if it covers the width of your tractor , if not I would consider the 6 ft. and just go slower when the need arises .