What rotary cutter fits my needs?

[bnew17]

My JD 5310 is 58hp to the pto. I have been on the lookout for used rotary cutters, but most look like they have been beat to **** and back. I want something big enough to do a job easily, but not too big to where it would be too big to get in places. I was thinking something around the 6ft range? A few questions I have that I was hoping some of you with more experience could help me with.

-I will mainly be cutting thick grasses, goldenrod, black berries, and small brush / saplings.
-I have read and learned that the thicker the deck the better, to look for 7 ga or 3/16".
-I have seen some listings for "J-Bar" type cutters. They have a "heavy duty" type that is around $950. Most topics I have seen on here mentioning J Bar have not been good because of the thickness of steel, but this model is obviously thicker, would it work?
-What should I be looking for in terms of gear box?

I am sure I will have more questions as I read replies. I would like to buy used, but something like a rotary cutter and how it is used. I am a little hesitant to drop big $$$ on used when I could spend a little more to not get someone else's problems, and get new. I plan on using whatever I get for a very long time. I am not one to buy and sell things.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I recently did comparisons for a 5' model for my 40hp tractor. I knew I would be cutting brush up to 2" diameter reclaiming a deer hunting property so I wanted to stay smaller and heavier duty at 5' even though my tractor could handle a 6'. I too started looking at used ones in about a 150 mile radius and everything that came up was beat up almost beyond recognition or near the price of a new one.
I narrowed it down to 3 brands/models that were somewhat readily available with in 50 miles and it came down to these 3,

Bush Hog BH215 (10 year gearbox warranty)
Rhino TW25 (7 ga sidewalls)
Woods BrushBull 60.30

The Bush Hog ended up be the better price unit with slip clutch and chains front and rear. I only used it about 6 hours in some heavy brush and it worked flawlessly and still looks almost new.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/429216-rankings-5-medium-duty-brush.html

There are videos out there that will explain how to setup the cutting height and deck pitch depending on what you're cutting.

Based on what you will be cutting, I think 7ga would be heavier duty than you need, 10-11 would be sufficient but make sure you consider possible future needs. Most brands state deck gauge as well as side skirt gauge so make sure you are comparing the same spec's.

I'd suggest a gearbox rated for at least 125-150% of what your tractor has for PTO horsepower to be safe.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have 3 rotary cutters, I'm now all woods and I have to say I love my Woods 6' Brushbull!!

IF, I needed to buy another rotary cutter, it would be another Brushbull...

Woods are the best rotary cutters I've owned or used...

SR

 

[bnew17]

I recently did comparisons for a 5' model for my 40hp tractor. I knew I would be cutting brush up to 2" diameter reclaiming a deer hunting property so I wanted to stay smaller and heavier duty at 5' even though my tractor could handle a 6'. I too started looking at used ones in about a 150 mile radius and everything that came up was beat up almost beyond recognition or near the price of a new one.
I narrowed it down to 3 brands/models that were somewhat readily available with in 50 miles and it came down to these 3,

Bush Hog BH215 (10 year gearbox warranty)
Rhino TW25 (7 ga sidewalls)
Woods BrushBull 60.30

The Bush Hog ended up be the better price unit with slip clutch and chains front and rear. I only used it about 6 hours in some heavy brush and it worked flawlessly and still looks almost new.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/429216-rankings-5-medium-duty-brush.html

There are videos out there that will explain how to setup the cutting height and deck pitch depending on what you're cutting.

Based on what you will be cutting, I think 7ga would be heavier duty than you need, 10-11 would be sufficient but make sure you consider possible future needs. Most brands state deck gauge as well as side skirt gauge so make sure you are comparing the same spec's.

I'd suggest a gearbox rated for at least 125-150% of what your tractor has for PTO horsepower to be safe.

I see a BH 216 a size up from what you have for sale at a dealer fairly close by. Its only a few years old. A few dings in the back deck but the paint is very fresh. They are asking $1,500. Is that in line with what I should expect? would the gear box warranty extend on a used piece of equipment?

 

[Bearsixty7]

I see a BH 215 like you have for sale at a dealer fairly close by. Its only a few years old. A few dings in the back deck but the paint is very fresh. They are asking $1,500. Is that in line with what I should expect? would the gear box warranty extend on a used piece of equipment?

If the paint is in good shape it's probably worth that. You may want/need a 6' or 7' model though for your tractor depending on how many acres you have to cut. Not sure on the warranty, you'd need to contact Bush Hog. I do know the website states 10 years on models purchased after 1/1/2020 so I don't know what the gearbox warranty was before then, maybe just 5 or 6??

 

[Bearsixty7]

Looks like it's original purchaser. (EDIT: this is the entire cutter, not finding the Gearbox specific part)

https://bushhog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/OP_MANUAL_BH200_SERIES_10-19.pdf

LIMITED WARRANTY
Bush Hog warrants to the original purchaser of any new Bush Hog equipment, purchased from an authorized
Bush Hog dealer, that the equipment be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1)
year for non-commercial, state and municipalities’ use and ninety (90) days for commercial use from date of
retail sale. The obligation of Bush Hog to the purchaser under this warranty is limited to the repair or
replacement of defective parts.
Replacement or repair parts installed in the equipment covered by this limited warranty are warranted for
ninety (90) days from the date of purchase of such part or to the expiration of the applicable new equipment
warranty period, whichever occurs later. Warranted parts shall be provided at no cost to the user at an
authorized Bush Hog dealer during regular working hours. Bush Hog reserves the right to inspect any
equipment or parts which are claimed to have been defective in material or workmanship.

 

[bnew17]

If the paint is in good shape it's probably worth that. You may want/need a 6' or 7' model though for your tractor depending on how many acres you have to cut. Not sure on the warranty, you'd need to contact Bush Hog. I do know the website states 10 years on models purchased after 1/1/2020 so I don't know what the gearbox warranty was before then, maybe just 5 or 6??

Hopefully this picture works. Can't seem to figure out some things on this forum.

 

[bnew17]

The one in the picture is a 2019 model. It looks like they have new models for $2,300

 

[Bearsixty7]

Hopefully this picture works. Can't seem to figure out some things on this forum.

View attachment 673721

Well it's green, so that's worth less to me
No rear chains and they are about $250.00. Front Chains?, Slip clutch? you're starting to get close to what I paid new here in North TX for slip clutch and chains front and rear.

 

[bnew17]

If the paint is in good shape it's probably worth that. You may want/need a 6' or 7' model though for your tractor depending on how many acres you have to cut. Not sure on the warranty, you'd need to contact Bush Hog. I do know the website states 10 years on models purchased after 1/1/2020 so I don't know what the gearbox warranty was before then, maybe just 5 or 6??

Its actually a BH 216 NOT 215...sorry I made a typo on that. I am going to correct it