Rotary Cutter Which Rotary Cutter ?

[BRMyers]

Thanks again, all. Right now I'm leaning towards the Kioti (Woods) unit. It's the only one on my list with the slip clutch, and it's at a dealer very close to me.

The owner's manual for this unit recommends operating it at "2 - 5 mph.". I have no idea how fast that is. I typically run my finish mower in mid-range, 2. How does that equate?

Also, is there any issue with cutting with these units in reverse? I'd like to cut a couple of turn arounds in my walking paths, which would require backing into the area.

On mine, 2MPH is running in low (low goes up to about 3.5MPH and medium is 7MPH) and 5MPH is running in medium. IN my owners manual ii has a page that has all the speed info.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a 5ft.Bush-Hog branded medium duty I purchased new;shear bolt ,medium duty with at least 1,000 hours on it.Looks rough now but still used and has held up well.I also purchased a 6' LandPride for our bigger tractor(medium duty) ,it has a slip clutch and I service every spring.Maybe 300 hours on it and it also has held up well.
On yours a 5ft cutter should be about right.

 

[Welshman]

I did find the info in my tractor manual. Med. range, 3 is about 5 mph. I'm good.

 

[Liquidsilver]

I have a slip clutch on my 10-foot cutter, but a shear bolt on my 6-foot.

I do have to replace the bolts from time to time, but for my smaller cutter that I use around the edges and in tight-spots, I think I prefer it. Once I got a log jammed between the blade carrier and the deck and with the slip clutch, that thing would have sat there screaming until I got the PTO turned off. With the bolt, I just lifted it, cleared it and threw in a new pin.

 

[canadianstrom]

I've wasted more time and money on PTO clutches than shear bolts. If the area has been cut before (ie the offending obstacles are mostly dealt with) there should be few reasons for bolts to shear. If you keep spare bolts and tools with you its a quick job . The strength of the deck , trailing wheel are more important to me.

 

[Shaneard]

I've wasted more time and money on PTO clutches than shear bolts. If the area has been cut before (ie the offending obstacles are mostly dealt with) there should be few reasons for bolts to shear. If you keep spare bolts and tools with you its a quick job . The strength of the deck , trailing wheel are more important to me.

What has gone wrong with your slip clutches? My dad has one that sits outside and he uses it a lot and hasn’t given any trouble in 25 years. I’ve got one sitting outside on a Woods bush hog and had zero issues as well. We had a 5 footer growing up with a shear bolt and it was a pain.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My dad has one that sits outside and he uses it a lot and hasn’t given any trouble in 25 years. I’ve got one sitting outside on a Woods bush hog and had zero issues as well. We had a 5 footer growing up with a shear bolt and it was a pain.

I agree with you! BUT, I also agree "IF" the OP is only going to cut --------> his own land in the "same spots" over and over, he can get along with a shear bolt fairly easily...

SR

 

[Molalla1]

I agree with you! BUT, I also agree "IF" the OP is only going to cut --------> his own land in the "same spots" over and over, he can get along with a shear bolt fairly easily...

SR

SR . . . that is the bottom line, you know your land.

 

[Shaneard]

I made a metal guard to cover the clutch in place of the broken plastic one. There’s a small door on each side so I can access the bolt that holds the clutch to the shaft.

 

[TerryR]

SR . . . that is the bottom line, you know your land.

I just sold a Bush Hog light duty cutter that I bought new over 20 years ago. It had a slip clutch, but I don't remember ever servicing it. But, I cut only the same field I've been cutting for all that time, so the fact that was no doubt frozen was never a problem.

 

[JD15302155870]

I have a land pride RCR2672 and it is a beast. I have other land pride equipment and never had any issue

 

[canadianstrom]

What has gone wrong with your slip clutches? My dad has one that sits outside and he uses it a lot and hasn’t given any trouble in 25 years. I’ve got one sitting outside on a Woods bush hog and had zero issues as well. We had a 5 footer growing up with a shear bolt and it was a pain.

Admittedly some operator error. Not checking slip clutch operation regularly and finding out its seized after other parts are destroyed. Having one slip enough that it had to be rebuilt. The feeling that the check wasn't perfect, ive had vastly different instructions to test,setup the same slip clutch . They should be left with springs loosened in the off season.
My feelings for a Bush Hog is to keep it simple
The slip clutches you mentioned , are they stored and maintained etc?

 

[Shaneard]

Neither of the two I mentioned have ever been apart or adjusted as far as I know. I need to do mine before I use it this year so it doesn’t break something else.

 

[Welshman]

Monday I bought a Kioti RC 1060 (Woods RC 5). I ended up with the slip clutch model, even though I had decided I wanted a shear pin. Why? The dealer closest to me - 4 miles - only stocks them with clutches. The Woods dealer - about 14 miles - only stocks them with shear pins. The close dealer made me a deal, so the price was about the same.

I set it up and used it to cut my pastures yesterday, and I am impressed, particularly with the "cleanness" of the cut. Today I started on my walking paths, and was stunned as to how overgrown they've become with all the rain we've had. I've got to get down there with shears and pruning saw so I can even see where portions of the paths are.

My only complaint with the cutter is that the shroud at the gearbox end is too large to properly adjust the clutch. It has covered ports on each side, but they are not wide enough to measure the springs. I think it will be an easy modification.

I should have bought one of these four years ago!

Thanks to all of you for giving me good advice on this purchase - I really appreciate it.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Monday I bought a Kioti RC 1060 (Woods RC 5). I ended up with the slip clutch model, even though I had decided I wanted a shear pin. Why? The dealer closest to me - 4 miles - only stocks them with clutches. The Woods dealer - about 14 miles - only stocks them with shear pins. The close dealer made me a deal, so the price was about the same.

I set it up and used it to cut my pastures yesterday, and I am impressed, particularly with the "cleanness" of the cut. Today I started on my walking paths, and was stunned as to how overgrown they've become with all the rain we've had. I've got to get down there with shears and pruning saw so I can even see where portions of the paths are.

My only complaint with the cutter is that the shroud at the gearbox end is too large to properly adjust the clutch. It has covered ports on each side, but they are not wide enough to measure the springs. I think it will be an easy modification.

I should have bought one of these four years ago!

Thanks to all of you for giving me good advice on this purchase - I really appreciate it.

Woods makes good stuff. They own the batwing market near me.

 

[oosik]

I, also, am considering a rotary cutter. I have dealers for - Land Pride, Woods, Rhino & Bush Hog - all within 40 miles. Most of my cutting - Buck brush - will be accomplished by backing into it. I have several small - less than an acre - meadows also.

I have found that my 38 years out here in the sticks has shown me one thing. Buy Heavy Duty. I'm very careful & cautious with all my implements. However, Mother Nature seems to find a way to bend, warp, break the light duty implements.

I've narrowed the viable units down to a Rhino Twister 30 series. Specifically the TW35. Why this one. Extremely HD tail wheel assembly - 130 hp gear box - very thick steel in the critical areas - slip clutch - very large cutting chamber.

This unit will used with my Kubota M6040.

All that remains now - - bite down on that bullet.