Rotary or flail cutter mounted on backhoe for use a sideboom mower

Crocus · Jun 15, 2017

I am considering a small sideboom mower for my Kubota B26TLB. After looking at pictures of some manufactured units it occurred to me that I already have the backhoe's boom I just need a cutter device to replace the bucket - or attach to it. Powering it is a concern so I was thinking something equivalent to a gas lawnmower attached to the bucket. I might even sacrifice an old lawnmower as a test.
It is needed for brush cutting along a ditch and for working around boulders. I have a 4' PTO rotary cutter that gets the easy stuff.
Anyone know of such a ready-made device or have ideas for something more powerful that an average lawnmower?

sandman2234 · Jun 15, 2017

Give Google a shot, as I get ads occasionally from one that mounts one to the side of a bucket, but I am thinking that is for mowing the sides of tree limbs and hedges. Hydraulic power...
I had a Bomford-Turner boom mower that was about like a backhoe, with a 4 foot flail, mounted on a 7710 Ford 4x4 with duals. It would stretch out 25 foot in any direction behind the tractor or to the sides. Really heavy duty blades, it would take out trees in nothing flat. Bad thing was because it would go so far out to the side, it was really hard on axles. Might want to consider any side weight you mount isn't what your tractor was designed for, so be careful.
David from jax

tomplum · Jun 15, 2017

I thought that this was slick. Homemade Brush Cutter 4" - YouTube

texasranger556 · Jun 15, 2017

I think David is talking about Lane Shark. Lane Shark - YouTube

scdeerslayer · Jun 15, 2017

If you're just cutting grass you'll probably be okay. If cutting brush or hit a rock and you don't have a cab you may be dodging debris. Also, if using a 4 stroke motor, you better watch the angle of the motor to keep the oil in the sump.

Crocus · Jun 15, 2017

scdeerslayer said:
If you're just cutting grass you'll probably be okay. If cutting brush or hit a rock and you don't have a cab you may be dodging debris. Also, if using a 4 stroke motor, you better watch the angle of the motor to keep the oil in the sump.

Thanks, Good advice. I would be cutting weeds and small trees. I was think of hanging short lengths of chain on the mower as on my 3pt hitch rotary mower to protect the tractor and me.
A cutter like a small, self-powered light-weight rotary cutter with weighted and swinging blades would be ideal if one exists.

sandman2234 · Jun 16, 2017

texasranger556 said:
I think David is talking about Lane Shark. Lane Shark - YouTube

Very similar was what I have seen.
Another option was the one I purchased, and then sold due to lack of use, but now have a need for it, lol.

The boom on that tractor would stretch out 25 feet in any direction behind the tractor or to either side. When it was delivered, they had stretched the boom all the way flat on the trailer, and loaded the tractor slightly off to one side of the trailer. I got on it, jumped it off of the company semi truck and started moving controls to figure out what they did. First one shifted it to the side, second one lifted it up. With it lifted up under full extension it would pick front end off the ground. I just about messed in my britches when that happened. It was trying to fall off the trailer right on top of the Semi truck! I called the guy that knew how to drive it and told him to get here QUICK!!
Anyway, worked great for years, wish I still had it. It was just too big for me to work on.
David from jax