Why not use a finish mower

[bcp]

Guard type can make a difference in windrows.
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From:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/207114-chains-vs-rubber-straps-rotary.html

I'll vote for the chains. The rubber tends to trap more debris inside and if that includes rocks you can kiss your sharp blade good-bye. Rubber also leaves windrows in heavy grass.
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Bruce

 

[eds01]

Rubber guard on the rear. It's a rounded back so guard extends to maybe a foot on each of the mower sides. Discharge is to the left not the rear. I've used various adjustments on the 3pt to get it to discharge more evenly to the rear but it just likes to stay left.

 

[eds01]

Guard type can make a difference in windrows.
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From:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/207114-chains-vs-rubber-straps-rotary.html

I'll vote for the chains. The rubber tends to trap more debris inside and if that includes rocks you can kiss your sharp blade good-bye. Rubber also leaves windrows in heavy grass.

Bruce

Good info. No rocks but definitely a lot of windrowing.

 

[Will_C]

I have a 10 acre field that I plan to build a house on some day. I keep the front 5 acres mowed weekly, but there is no way I can keep all 10 acres mowed close in the spring, between the way the grass grows and my work schedule.

I mow the back 5 acres Memorial Day weekend with the bush hog, and then I mow it a weeklater again. After that, I can mow it every two weeks the rest of the year with my finish mower set at 4 inches. Works fine for me, no rocks, etc. in the field.

Will

 

[MESSMAKER]

Big difference in rotary cutters. I have had Bushog, Big Bee, International and King Kutter. The King Kutter leaves a nicer cut. This happens even when it has dull blades. Your setup on your tailwheel can change your cut quality. Raise the wheel and your cut will get better, but your tractor will strain more. A rotary cutter that is set up right can do a nice job if you don't make it handle too much material.Miss a week or two with a rotary cutter and no big deal. Get 2 weeks behing with a finish mower and you have a job on your hands.

 

[eds01]

I have a 10 acre field that I plan to build a house on some day. I keep the front 5 acres mowed weekly, but there is no way I can keep all 10 acres mowed close in the spring, between the way the grass grows and my work schedule.

I mow the back 5 acres Memorial Day weekend with the bush hog, and then I mow it a weeklater again. After that, I can mow it every two weeks the rest of the year with my finish mower set at 4 inches. Works fine for me, no rocks, etc. in the field.

Will

Sounds like the plan I'm thinking of. Use the bush hog when it's too tall, use the finish mower when I can mow more frequently.

 

[eds01]

Big difference in rotary cutters. I have had Bushog, Big Bee, International and King Kutter. The King Kutter leaves a nicer cut. This happens even when it has dull blades. Your setup on your tailwheel can change your cut quality. Raise the wheel and your cut will get better, but your tractor will strain more. A rotary cutter that is set up right can do a nice job if you don't make it handle too much material.Miss a week or two with a rotary cutter and no big deal. Get 2 weeks behing with a finish mower and you have a job on your hands.

I'd been thinking of buying a king kutter rotary mower to replace what I have. But I'm leaning towards adding the RFM instead so I had both and could use either depending on grass conditions.

 

[Bdavis]

Sounds like the plan I'm thinking of. Use the bush hog when it's too tall, use the finish mower when I can mow more frequently.

From a guy who tore up an old 5 foot finishing mower , knocked the pulley shaft clean off the deck , broke a back wheel off .

The ground has to be smooth !!

Then cutting every couple of weeks with a finishing mower is the way to go. But if it has a lot of pot holes and real rough terrain forget about it !!

Having said that I now cut the same four acres with a 6 foot finishing mower and just love it.

The difference is that I took the time and a box blade and made it more like a lawn than a pasture. It is out in front of the my cabin and near the road and I really like the way it looks, so well worth the sweat and diesel

 

[pennwalk]

When the grass gets tall it really helps if the finish mower blades are good and sharp.

Chris

 

[cartod]

Adjusting the top link also will help eliminate windrows.