Rotary Cutter Taylor Pittsburgh 270 cutter problem

[Patos]

Need help please - our hunt club bought an almost new, 5 foot, TaylorWay "bush hog". Problem is that it throws material (mostly weeds and small brush) out the front of the cutter - I mean covering the tractor driver up (Massey Ferguson 165), with dust and debris. Rear of cutter is elevated to highest position and front down. Plan to purchase a chain safety cover for the front (not so much for the safety part, but to try and keep the debris off the driver)- will that help on the small stuff or should I plan to get used to this? (Going to have to buy a coverall and dust mask if it doesn't get better) Does OK in tall grass or heavy stuff, but most of our cutting is more like mowing. Any suggestions? Thanks - Tommy in North Carolina

 

[sweettractors]

If it is kicking material out that bad, I would stop using it until I found out what the problem is and also install a shield behind the drivers seat to protect him from debris flying out the front of the cutter. How low is the front mowing? What was the previous owners experience with that cutter? Ken Sweet

 

[JoeinTX]

Patos, I've ran many a different brand of shredder (Corsicana, Bush Hog, Dale Phillips, Howse, Mohawk) on numerous tractors (Ford, MF, Case, MM) and I've yet had one that sent any noticeable amount of material out the front of the deck as opposed to sending it out the back. Chains or not.

How is it "covering" the tractor driver? The laws of physics would not allow it. Cuttings would have to exit the shredder from the least likely point, the front, and then travel up several feet or circulate in a swirling vortex it is shooting from underneath the deck. I don't understand.

 

[Patos]

Ken - previous owner only used it a few times and on heavier brush. No problems with it. He retired and sold all his stuff. As for how it's set, the back is all the way up, and the front is all the way down - raising the front any makes the problem worse - like raising a fan.

JoeTx - This cutter is only open in the front, so unless the material is shredded completely, and falls down, it has to come out the front. I had the same questions (and comments) when my buddy told me how bad it was - in dry weeds, it's hard to breath if you are driving. I didn't believe it until I drove yesterday! Not sure if it's vortexing or what - but I can tell you the results!

Could this cutter be "too big" for our application? Maybe it's more for brush cutting than "mowing"?

Thanks for the replies - Tommy

 

[RoyJackson]

Ken - previous owner only used it a few times and on heavier brush. No problems with it. He retired and sold all his stuff. As for how it's set, the back is all the way up, and the front is all the way down - raising the front any makes the problem worse - like raising a fan.

JoeTx - This cutter is only open in the front, so unless the material is shredded completely, and falls down, it has to come out the front. I had the same questions (and comments) when my buddy told me how bad it was - in dry weeds, it's hard to breath if you are driving. I didn't believe it until I drove yesterday! Not sure if it's vortexing or what - but I can tell you the results!

Could this cutter be "too big" for our application? Maybe it's more for brush cutting than "mowing"?

Well, you did buy a brush cutter...and you are cutting brush and now finish mowing, correct?

Cutter work is going to be dusty no matter what....so that respirator mask isn't a bad idea...neither are goggles. To get an idea, look at your tractor's grill after an hour of brush cutting....that's what you're breathing.
I wear both the mask and goggles (as well as ear plugs).

Since cutter blades pulverize rather then cut (as a finishing mower does), you can expect a fair amount of stuff being through out. Safety chains are a good idea.
My Land Pride cutter uses stiff rubber flaps to prevent debris from flying out the front. Works good too...
So, if you want to save a few bucks (safety chains are expensive), find some old matting or truck mudflaps and cut them down to fit your cutter. Use bolts and large flat washers (with lock nuts or lock washers).

Another thing to consider is cutting after a rain. That will reduce some of the dust. If you're mowing grasses, you may want to consider buying a finishing mower.

 

[Patos]

Thanks Roy - I think that you are right - we do use it mostly for mowing, and it is pulverizing the weeds and grass. The debris is, for the most part - dust/pulverized material. Think that I will try the mat or something flexible over the opening. Maybe it will rain here again - someday!