Rotary Cutter Which rotary cutter?

[jstreet]

I need a 5-foot rotary cutter (with stumpjumper and shear bolt) for my Ford 8N. May upgrade tractor next year to something like a Kubota 2710. Considering Bush Hog SQ600 vs. Woods XT160. I'd appreciate any advice on choosing between these two mowers. (Or should I look at other brands?)

 

[Bird]

I don't know anything about the Woods, but I don't think you can go wrong with the Bush Hog SQ600 (cousin has one that's seen some mighty rough service with no problems).

Bird

 

[gerard]

I looked at the SQ600. It was a very decent cutter but I opted for the Bushog razorback soley because of cost. The razorback is considered a light duty but I've been very happy with it. I haven't used a woods so can't comment on that

 

[Ches]

I came close to buying a Wood's five foot rotary cutter, only because it is the only brand sold by the dealer where I bought my tractor. Began looking around and pricing. Ended up coming down to a Woods or the Bush Hog SQ600. In talking with another dealer, I asked which was the better, I figured he would know since he sells both brands. He told me he couldn't talk like that BECAUSE he sells both brands. Then he went on to say he personally like the red one (Bush Hog). I bought a Bush Hog SQ600 last week (from a different dealer at $100 less than his price). Played with it a little and worked like a champ, much quieter than I thought it would be (I understand they get noiser as gears and stuff get broken in).

Ches

 

[Carlmiddleton]

I too have an SQ600. The only complaint I have is the deck is a bit on the thin side. I almost perferated the side of the deck with a rock. This cutter is closer to a medium duty cutter than a light duty cutter. It takes a hell of a lot of abuse and is very smooth. The only time it vibrates is after hitting an obstruction. Foreign objects get caught in the blade swivels and it will want to vibrate. Stopping and removing the foreign matter will fix things.

Also, whatever rotary cutter you plan to buy, make sure it has some kind of protection banding in the front AND in the back. Make the dealer provide these for you. I didn't and it has cost me $$$ to get the banding. It will cut down on foreign objects being thrown out the back and in the front toward you and your tractor.

 

[Daniel]

sq600 here on a 2710 also. perfect combo. would buy a bush hog again. pricy compared to some but worth the extra money in my opinion

 

[W5FL]

I have the 6 ft Bush Hog 260, which is classified as a Medium Duty Rotary Cutter. The sides are 1/4 inch plate which helps to keep rocks and blades from coming through the side. I also have chains on the front and rear and they work very well. It is a nice cutter with a 100 HP or so gear box and a slip clutch on the PTO shaft. The blade is 1/2 inch thick, so it will cut almost everything that gets in it's path. Bush Hog makes a nice product and it is priced comparable to other similar brands.

 

[gerard]

As previously mentioned I don't think you can go wrong with Bushog brand but I was at the Farm and Country the other day and saw a 5ft King Cutter. I didn't get a price (losiento!) but it looked to be a pretty solidly built cutter, I was surprised because Farm and Country carries lower end stuff for the most part. I know it was a lot heavier duty looking than my Bushhog Razorback.

 

[PaulB]

To follow up on Gerards' comments, i own a 4 foot King Kutter, purchased at Farm and Country, and for the $ it has worked well. Mine was $520, 5 footer is I think $30 more. Not at all fancy, but seems to work fine.

 

[bsauter]

I've been using a 5 foot King Kutter for 5 years and have not had one problem with it. I've sharpened the blades once. I bushhog up to 30 acres several times a year. No frills but couldn't beat it for the price and has never let me down. Probably will buy a 6 footer now. And paint it orange!

 

[dullpain]

Can't comment on the particular models you mention and you gave no price comparison. Some of my buddies own Bush Hog brand and all speak well of it. Some other friends, including me, own Woods equipment and all speak well of it also. My Woods is a 6' finish mower, gearbox drive. Disremember the Model# at present. If everything I owned worked as well, held up as well, as my Woods mower I would "almost" have no complaints in life.

Don't think you can wrong with either. Consider price and pick the one you like best. Hang it on the tractor and go safely.

 

[bpence]

Take a look around your area for a Land Pride rotary cutter. I bought their 4ft model last year and it's been a real good piece of equipment. It came with the chain guards (front and rear) and stump-jumper. It's made very well and even after 70-80 hrs use isn't beat up (dents, etc.) like a lot of cutters I've seen. It's not the cheapest piece of equipment out there, but seems to be made pretty good. The two things I like best: easy to hook up and very quiet for a rotary cutter.

Bob Pence

 

[jrdellaratta]

A question only tangentially related to this thread: what kind of rotary cutter is compatible with the PTO of a Ford 340 A? We attached our 4' Bush Hog Razorback to it, and damaged the Bush Hog and the Ford. Alos, what kind--if any--trail-behind mowers are out there (beside the reel-type) that don't need the PTO ?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a King Kutter rotary mover it is very well made. Down here in South Louisiand Chicken trees are a pest they grow three times faster than grass. This mower has no problem cutting them down to size. Price was lower of many others that I found also. check them out at www.kingkutter.com this mower looks good and works tough.

 

[jgh]

9/28
A word to the wise. While I agree Woods makes good as does Bush Hog, there is a big difference in how they relate to their dealers.

Bush Hog apparently gives all dealers about the same deal (20%-20% off retail if they pay the invoice within about 2 or 3 mos), while Woods varies the discount widely depending on the volume, etc, of the dealer with them. That just might influence how a store carrying both presents them??

If you want a good deal on Woods and live anywhere near NC, call Leinbach Machinery in Winston-Salem, the biggest Woods outlet on the east coast. Their prices average about 30% off list. And BTW, they manufacture some of their own implements--scoops, rakes, etc.

Biggest Bush Hog seller in the US is Gilbert Implements in Orange, VA, about 50 mi from me. 2nd largest is Theros (the guys handling the Spreader Grader loan, Fredericksburg, VA), where I bought my 1287 hog. And Scott Moore, BH Product Manager, is tops in my book. I have never waited more than a few hours for return e mail from him, and we talked for over half an hour a few mos ago on the phone.

But my local shop (which sells only parts and implements, not tractors) offered almost as good a deal on BH.

Have fun,
Jim