Rotary Cutter Which rotary cutter?

[STx]

I have a New Holland TC40DA, 33HP at the PTO. I currently have a Rhino TW72 that is probably 15+ years old, it's built like a tank but had some hub damage and needs some work done to get it back into working order. I think I'm going to repair it and just leave it at my property so I don't have to trailer it and the tractor back and forth. I have some field and pasture mowing jobs here in town that I need a cutter for as well so I'm considering buying a new one to use for those jobs and am looking at the following -

• Rhino 172
• Land Pride RCR1872
• Modern Ag Super Sunshine 6'

Of those 3 mowers, which do you guys think is the best and why? All are within about $400 of each other so price isn't really a consideration.

Thanks for the input!

 

[jeff9366]

Almost, almost all R/Cs sold new today have gearboxes, shafts and blades from two suppliers in China. These suppliers sell multiple grades for multiple price points. A zillion of these components can be packed in one shipping container from China to US West, East or Gulf ports, then on to implement manufacturers in the South.

This includes my Land Pride RCF 2060 @ $1,600 without sales tax, purchased January 2014.

Look for gearbox HP rating, you want twice your tractor PTO output. A heavy deck is important, which is reflected in total weight.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Our 72" ETA Brush Cutter would be great on your tractor.
The design is close to an 1872 LP, but we've made some improvements, especially underneath.
There's a thread here about it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/332815-72-eta-brush-cutter-happy.html?highlight=
Travis

Here's the product video.

 

[LD1]

5 Things I think are most important when looking at a cutter.




.......................................Landpride.....................Rhino.....................Modern

1. Gearbox Rating................???.............................65HP.......................65HP
2. Cut Capacity....................2"..............................1.5".........................2.5"
3. Blade Tip Speed..............15000.........................15000......................15000
4. Deck Thickness................10ga............................10ga.......................3/16 (7ga)
5. Weight............................737..............................785........................865

I would assume the landpride also has a 65hp gearbox. The Modern is the heavier built unit with a heavier deck, probably why its rated to cut a bit thicker stuff.
But they are all pretty close And I doubt you would notice any difference in cut, or what they can and cannot do in the real world. You mentioned some "jobs" you are doing. What are these "jobs"? Are you mowing commercially? Or mowing alot. Cause if so, I would step up one notch and get something with ~100HP gearbox and 3-4" cut capacity. Those would weigh in around 1000# but handle alot more abuse if mowing unknown territory and hit crap.

Also look at a bushhog BH16. Specs mirror the 3 you listed. But alot of people speak very highly of the bushhog brand cutters. Myself included. I have a 30+ year old 306 cutter that I use commercially and give it a ton of abuse. Still going strong.

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't comment on the other brands since I've never owned or used them. I have a 6 ft landpride rotary cutter and it's been pretty good. I have a 35 hp Century 4x4 tractor with 30 hp at the PTO and I feel it's maxed out with the six foot cutter. It can pick it up and power it through whatever I drive through, but I had to add weight to the front end since I don't have a FEL and there where times when I was too heavy in the rear and there wasn't enough weight on the front to steer.

The only real issue that I had with mine is the rear wheel metal that goes down on either side of the wheel wasn't very strong and it bent fairly quickly. I replaced it with a new one and it bent the same the first time out just turning. I've since replaced it with a home made bracket that is much heavier and stronger that has lasted me a decade without any more issues.

The most important reason to pick a brand is support. I buy parts online for mine at Messicks and I go to the local Kubota dealer who is pretty quick at ordering them. I think Messicks is faster. As for price, I've never compared who is better, I just tend to go with whatever one fits my needs at the time. New blades are just over $40 each at Messicks.

Eddie

 

[STx]

You mentioned some "jobs" you are doing. What are these "jobs"? Are you mowing commercially? Or mowing alot. Cause if so, I would step up one notch and get something with ~100HP gearbox and 3-4" cut capacity. Those would weigh in around 1000# but handle alot more abuse if mowing unknown territory and hit crap.

Yes, they're commercial mowing jobs but primarily just large fields with grassy plants, not much actual brush. The mowing I do on my own property is a lot more abusive than the paying jobs. On my own, I'm cutting mesquite, acacia, rocky areas and occasionally find a hidden cinder block, which is why I think I want to dedicate the TW72 to that work and buy something else for here. The TW72 can take the abuse and I didn't give much money for it. It would work fine for the paying jobs also, I just get tired of towing the tractor and cutter 270 miles each way and with the cutter on the trailer, I really don't have room for any other implements.

Knowing how I am though, at some point I'll probably end up with 2 of everything and only move the tractor back and forth.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Almost, almost all R/Cs sold new today have gearboxes, shafts and blades from two suppliers in China. These suppliers sell multiple grades for multiple price points. A zillion of these components can be packed in one shipping container from China to US West, East or Gulf ports, then on to implement manufacturers in the South.

This includes my Land Pride RCF 2060 @ $1,600 without sales tax, purchased January 2014.

Look for gearbox HP rating, you want twice your tractor PTO output. A heavy deck is important, which is reflected in total weight.

So, are the Woods Brush Bulls gear boxes made in China??? Last I looked they were still coming out of Italy.

The Woods Brush Bull WILL be my next Rotary cutter!

SR

 

[jeff9366]

The last time I looked before buying my Land Pride RCF 2060, perhaps four years ago, gearboxes were from Italy too. No longer. Every R/C I checked at at my Kubota dealer had Made In China on the gearbox, somewhere.

PTO on RCF 2060 remains from Italy.

 

[Eric C]

I have several different brand of rotary cutters. I think any of those would do you a good job. I agree with Eddie, look at the support you will have for each mower. I would also consider the price for parts. At some point you will need new blades. I like my Rhino & Bushhog cutters, but parts are expensive.

 

[STx]

I'm going to go take a look at the cutters today but I think I'm going to buy the Modern. The parts to fix the TW72 are on the way, it actually broke the unformed bar that the blade was attached to so I'm replacing that and the belly pan. With the way I abuse it in South Texas, the blades stay almost flat so it doesn't cut grass worth a dang but it'll eat brush and small trees like they're nothing.

Thanks for the input, guys!

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I've never used the LP or Modern Ag. They are probably good cutters. I own the Rhino 172 and I know it's a good cutter. One thing I really like about the Rhino is that all the support structure is on top of the deck, not underneath, which means there are fewer places for clippings and debris to accumulate under there, keeps the underside clean.

You would probably be fine with any of them. The one thing I absolutely despise on modern rotary cutters is the plastic gearbox cover on the input shaft / slip clutch. It makes adjusting the slip clutch almost impossible. I took mine off because my mower sits out in the elements and I frequently check the slip clutch to make sure the clutch discs are not rusted together.

It was too big of a PITA to do with the cover in place. I am NOT recommending anyone else do this. I know it's a safety issue, but I'm the only person that ever uses the cutter, and I never, ever, ever get off the tractor with the PTO engaged. Never ever.

 

[Eric C]

I'm going to go take a look at the cutters today but I think I'm going to buy the Modern. The parts to fix the TW72 are on the way, it actually broke the unformed bar that the blade was attached to so I'm replacing that and the belly pan. With the way I abuse it in South Texas, the blades stay almost flat so it doesn't cut grass worth a dang but it'll eat brush and small trees like they're nothing.

Thanks for the input, guys!

How do you like the Modern cutter? Have looked at them. Ones I saw appear to be nice units.

 

[STx]

After going and looking at them, I've decided I'm going to get the Rhino 172 but I'm going to hold off about a month before I do because I've got to replace a disc first. I'm getting a Modern Ag HD2020-D later this week when I pick up the parts to repair my TW72 and then I'm going to get the 172 sometime in May.

There wasn't anything wrong with the Modern, I just preferred the build on the Rhino.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

The Rhino is a good cutter. I haven't found anything to dislike about it.