What can I expect to cut with my rotary cutter?

[rnbrn21]

Now that I have my 4' rotary cutter running I need some help on not abusing it. I've been using it a little and been operating with the thought that if I can push the bush over with the bucket I can cut it up with the rotary cutter. As long as I go slow what should be my limitations on what I can cut down. I would say that the biggest I have cut down at this point is about a 2" diameter bush. I have a few that I can't push over so obviously I can't mow those.

 

[mikehaugen]

each rotary cutter has it's own specification published by the manufacturer for the maximum diameter. I would say that most will do 2", can't say for sure. If you know the make and model, maybe someone here could tell you better.

 

[ronjhall]

You should be able to cut 2' grass with little problem. How green/wet it is will control how fast you can cut it.

 

[smstonypoint]

each rotary cutter has it's own specification published by the manufacturer for the maximum diameter. I would say that most will do 2", can't say for sure. If you know the make and model, maybe someone here could tell you better.

I'm with Mike -- check the manufacturer's specification for max. diameter. However, I suspect you may be pushing it with 2" cuts. For example, Woods has two 4' cutters: one has a 1.5" capacity and the other has a 1" capacity (Rotary Cutters).

Steve

 

[NoTrespassing]

Besides checking the specs. on the cutter, just use common sense and go slow. It sounds like you are. Diameter doesn't tell the whole story when mowing brush. Different species cut more easily than others. The more experience you get with it the more efficient you'll be.

Kevin

 

[Ken45101]

Well when I first started out, a co-worker told me that I could cut anything that I could drive over. He was wrong: there are things I back over and cut because I won't drive the tractor over them ;-) Especially some of the newer tractors seem to have more vulnerability underneath than the older ones.

OTOH, pushing it too hard is not in the best interest of long term life expectancy for the tractor or the cutter.

As for the 1.5" or 2", a lot depends on what it is. It's much easier to cut a 2" soft maple sapling than it is a 1.5" oak sapling.

Whenever you are cutting heavy brush (whatever the size), go very, very slow. Give it a chance to work it's way through.

 

[chim]

I had a store brand 5 footer for a number of years that I used only at my Mom-in-law's farm. It was too big for the B7500 I had at the time. It didn't get used much at all and I didn't ram around with it. Anyway, for the most part I'd drive forward slowly with the loader inches off the ground. That way when venturing into a new area the bucket would bump into hidden junk before the mower hit it. Even with that caution I managed to have the mower chomp an occasional cinder block.

About 3 years ago I sold the mower to a bud who used to work for the same company I do. He used it for a year or so, painted it and sold it to the company so we can keep a large area cut down. Now it occasionally eats a 2x4.

 

[MarkV]

On a related subject I see you are using a BX tractor. There have been a good number of threads about the BX being vulnerable to a fan shroud breakage when running over things like you describe. Maybe a BX owner can offer more details.

MarkV

 

[Chilly807]

Good sound advice so far. I have a 5 foot cutter (Land Pride medium duty) on my L3400. It will cut 2" alders, but it's not happy about doing it, and neither am I. The results are less than great (6" punji stakes sticking up everywhere) and everything takes a beating. I rarely use it for alders anymore unless I go back over the field with loppers or a bush saw and cut the stumps down, so what's the point in doing it to begin with? It does get used a lot for goldenrod, briars, wild roses, heavy overgrown grass, stuff up to about 1/2 - 3/4 inch diameter I don't mind leaving behind.

The only real advantage to using a rotary cutter for 2" brush is that it shreds the upper branches so you don't have to haul it away. That's my opinion anyway.

Sean

 

[Chilly807]

Good sound advice so far. I have a 5 foot cutter (Land Pride medium duty) on my L3400. It will cut 2" alders, but it's not happy about doing it, and neither am I. The results are less than great (6" punji stakes sticking up everywhere) and everything takes a beating. I rarely use it for alders anymore unless I go back over the field with loppers or a bush saw and cut the stumps down, so what's the point in doing it to begin with? It does get used a lot for goldenrod, briars, wild roses, heavy overgrown grass, stuff up to about 1/2 - 3/4 inch diameter I don't mind leaving behind.

The only real advantage to using a rotary cutter for 2" brush is that it shreds the upper branches so you don't have to haul it away. That's my opinion anyway.

Sean