Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
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Just wanted to pass some results of some extended research I conducted during the recent purchase of a new rotary cutter. There is nothing new here except that I wanted to emphasize some points that might be helpful for prospective rotary cutter buyers. I wanted a new 60" rotary cutter for my Kubota L3600 to deal with 1-2" brush and pasture mowing (20 acres). Based on some previous excellent advice from this website, to get a good quality cutter that would give long dependable service, recommendations were to concentrate on cutter deck thickness, cutter overall weight, gear box HP rating, blade tip speed, slip clutch, safety chain protection, and blade size.
I looked at many brands/prices through the internet and visited multiple dealers in my western Washington state location. It became quickly evident that it would be a good idea to stick with the better known quality brands (Bush Hog, Land Pride, Woods, John Deere, etc.). It was also interesting to note that no matter the brand of a good quality cutter, the price would be about $800-1000 for a light duty cutter and about double that for a medium/heavy duty unit, $1800-2000. Most of the quality brands all had about the same specs and same options. It was also obvious that I would need to go with a medium/heavy duty to get the features I wanted. I finally opted for a Land Pride RCR 2560 for an overall cost of about $1900. It had 10 guage deck thickness, 1/4" side plates, slip clutch, 100 HP heavy duty gear box, 4" cutting blades, front/rear chain guards, replaceable full length skids, heavy duty stump jumper, laminated/adjustable tail wheel, and weighed at the top end of recommended weight limit for the L3600 (800-900 lbs).
The price was almost a show stopper but after using the cutter for the last month, it has certaintly proved the right choice. I mow in very rocky soil and sometimes hit rocks from mole hills and around brush stumps. The medium/heavy duty cutter takes this in stride and I find that I mow in less time due to cleaner/more complete cutting on the first run. As they say, you get what you pay for.
I looked at many brands/prices through the internet and visited multiple dealers in my western Washington state location. It became quickly evident that it would be a good idea to stick with the better known quality brands (Bush Hog, Land Pride, Woods, John Deere, etc.). It was also interesting to note that no matter the brand of a good quality cutter, the price would be about $800-1000 for a light duty cutter and about double that for a medium/heavy duty unit, $1800-2000. Most of the quality brands all had about the same specs and same options. It was also obvious that I would need to go with a medium/heavy duty to get the features I wanted. I finally opted for a Land Pride RCR 2560 for an overall cost of about $1900. It had 10 guage deck thickness, 1/4" side plates, slip clutch, 100 HP heavy duty gear box, 4" cutting blades, front/rear chain guards, replaceable full length skids, heavy duty stump jumper, laminated/adjustable tail wheel, and weighed at the top end of recommended weight limit for the L3600 (800-900 lbs).
The price was almost a show stopper but after using the cutter for the last month, it has certaintly proved the right choice. I mow in very rocky soil and sometimes hit rocks from mole hills and around brush stumps. The medium/heavy duty cutter takes this in stride and I find that I mow in less time due to cleaner/more complete cutting on the first run. As they say, you get what you pay for.
