Which rotary cutter to buy

[Hurst238]

I'm going to buy a 6' cutter and have narrowed it down to the Brown 416 and the Bush Hog B26. The price is exactly the same and I'm having a difficult time choosing, so other than flipping a coin what do you guys think? What are the ups and downs of each.

 

[Piston]

It's a win win situation. You absolutely can't go wrong either way, and any differences in specs you find are insignificant.

I have a Brown 472 (predecessor) to the 416, and would (will) stay with Brown Manufacturing. They're customer service is excellent (which really doesn't matter with an implement like this but still nice). They're background is in super heavy duty long lasting commercial mowers.
Unfortunately, they no longer use USA made gearboxes, but at least they were the last of the manufacturers to switch. They held out as long as they could.

BH is excellent also. Keep in mind, BH sells a light duty version which I wouldn't give you a dime for (the squealer models). Brown doesn't even offer a light duty version. The 416 is they're lightest duty and is a lifetime long mower purchase.

What is the price you are quoted, and is it with front and rear chains?

My next purchase from Brown will be this cutter....
TSG-2 Tree Saw with Grapple | Brown Manufacturing | 8-633-899
Again, nothing they make is light duty.

 

[dirtdonthurt]

I bought a Brown 416 after doing my research. Had it about 2 years. Very good investment and well built. The guy at brown talked me out of the rear chains.

 

[Hurst238]

The Bush Hog has front chains only and the brown has the front rubber only. I can buy either for $2400

 

[Hurst238]

What was his reasons about not wanting the rear chains?

 

[dirtdonthurt]

I requested front/rear chains. Ended up with front only and I'm satisfied. Don't like rubber. Sounds like about what I paid. I had a BH 296 in the past (which is comparable) the 416 seems like it has a heavier stump jumper/rotating mass and cuts trees better.

 

[Hurst238]

Thanks for the info, I thought that I may add the chains later if I go with the brown. I'm currently running a Kodiak MD6 and it doesn't have chains or rubber but it's just not heavy enough for the cutting that I get into.

 

[dirtdonthurt]

The cutter gets rid of debris better without the rears (says Brown Mfg) and it saved me a couple hundred $$. It will chunk stuff pretty far out the back though. If you're around houses or anything I'd get em.

 

[Piston]

Thanks for the info, I thought that I may add the chains later if I go with the brown. I'm currently running a Kodiak MD6 and it doesn't have chains or rubber but it's just not heavy enough for the cutting that I get into.

That was my reasoning as well. I very quickly mangled my Woods brand mower (light duty not heavy duty) and was very unhappy with it. The brown mower has surpassed my expectations altogether.

 

[Hurst238]

How does your Kubota L4610 handle the weight of the Brown, your tractor and mine are similar in weight, I do have a FEL on mine whitch will add some front weight. I do have some fairly steep hills to mow. I am in East Tennessee and don't know anywhere around here that doesn't.