Noobie Brush Hog Question

[sdrake]

Hey folks, new tractor owner here, so pardon my ignorance...


looking for a rotary cutter for my L3800. I need to do some minimal field work (less than 5 acres), keep some trails clean and manage some brush on the property. I'd like something that will do at least a 2 inch cut without breaking the bank. Thoughts on the way to go? Local dealer has Titan products, but the reviews seem mixed.

Thanks for any help

 

[mcmxi]

All I know is that Titan Implements is a US company making well regarded products.

About Us | Titan Implement, LLC

Titan Implement manufactures a full range different implements and attachments that will work as hard as you do. Our agricultural equipment is designed to exceed your expectations and provide you with the best value for cost. Find out more about us here.

www.titanimplement.com

Titan Attachments is a Chinese manufacturer making less than well-regarded products. The company I purchased the flail mower from recently dropped Titan Attachments as a supplier due to quality control issues among other things.

https://www.palletforks.com/

He's now selling Dirt Dog products which appear to be well made here in the US.

Home - Dirt Dog Manufacturing

Starting out with only two products in our line: the roll-over scrape blade and the pulverizer; Dirt Dog has since added more than 30 models of equipment, offered in over 100 varying sizes and options.

www.dirtdogmfg.com

 

[sdrake]

OK... thanks for the clarification. I was reading reviews and not making the distinction.

 

[Bmyers]

I think the challenge may prove to be not breaking the bank. Your post has me curious what my mower deck is now selling for brand new and it is a $1,000 higher than when I purchased it according to the prices online. I know my good friend bought the exact same BB that I have, he had to pay $500 more than I paid year and half ago.

The normal answer would be watch the used market, but my guess is that market is slim pickens right now and seeing high prices.

The encouraging word I can give you is at some point the prices will start to moderate once the demand for equipment drops and the supply out paces the demand. The downside, I have no idea when that will be.....tomorrow or in twenty years.

 

[MOOTS]

Went through this same thing last year. Here’s that thread.

Rotary cutter options

I am in the market for a cutter. Looking at bush hog 216 and 316, woods BB72.50 and Landpride 1872. Are there any others to consider? Wanting 2-3” cut capacity, chains F&R. This will be behind a MX6000.

www.orangetractortalks.com

Maybe it helps, maybe it causes more confusion? Good luck.

 

[mcmxi]

Went through this same thing last year. Here’s that thread.

Rotary cutter options

I am in the market for a cutter. Looking at bush hog 216 and 316, woods BB72.50 and Landpride 1872. Are there any others to consider? Wanting 2-3” cut capacity, chains F&R. This will be behind a MX6000.

www.orangetractortalks.com

Maybe it helps, maybe it causes more confusion? Good luck.

If it causes any confusion it might be my fault. Sorry about that.

So after a year of ownership, are you pleased with the Bush Hog model that you bought? As you know, I ended up with a Land Pride RCR1884 and it's proven to be a durable cutter. Removing/installing the blades is a bit of a pain but hopefully the Milwaukee M18 impact will make the job a lot easier.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

OK... thanks for the clarification. I was reading reviews and not making the distinction.

To make it more confusing, they're both located in West Tennessee.

 

[mcmxi]

Hey folks, new tractor owner here, so pardon my ignorance...


looking for a rotary cutter for my L3800. I need to do some minimal field work (less than 5 acres), keep some trails clean and manage some brush on the property. I'd like something that will do at least a 2 inch cut without breaking the bank. Thoughts on the way to go? Local dealer has Titan products, but the reviews seem mixed.

Thanks for any help

I have a 7ft Land Pride rotary cutter (RCR1884) with front and rear chains, dual wheels and slip clutches. I used it a lot last year at my place and a friend's place cutting 25 or so acres.

There can be a lot of things to think about when choosing a rotary cutter beyond quality and reliability. They're expensive implements and it's easy to make a mistake. I should have looked at dual spindle rotary cutters, and maybe the single spindle would still have been the best choice but I'm not sure of that. Unless you can try before you buy you have to take a leap of faith sometimes.

Anyway, things to think about in no particular order:

1. Size
2. Weight
3. Single or dual spindle
4. Floating or static top link
5. Cutting height range
6. Single or double rear wheels
7. Shear bolts or slip clutch
8. Rubber, metal or chain guards
9. Deck design
10. Cost


I'm not cutting in and around a lot of tight places, but rather fairly open fields so bigger was better for me. The problem with large rotary cutters is that it's easier or more likely to get them high centered. That's one of the reasons why I decided to buy an offset flail mower to use in conjunction with or possibly instead of the rotary cutter. Only time will tell.

 

[MOOTS]

If it causes any confusion it might be my fault. Sorry about that.

So after a year of ownership, are you pleased with the Bush Hog model that you bought? As you know, I ended up with a Land Pride RCR1884 and it's proven to be a durable cutter. Removing/installing the blades is a bit of a pain but hopefully the Milwaukee M18 impact will make the job a lot easier.

I am happy with it. Only real complaint is it’s long. Wish I would’ve looked at a dual spindle, but that would put me into 8’ cutters, which is too wide, in my opinion, for tight Georgia pine woods work.

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

Brown makes the best cutter you can buy. Not cheap and a 20 week lead time for delivery

 

[mcmxi]

I am happy with it. Only real complaint is it’s long. Wish I would’ve looked at a dual spindle, but that would put me into 8’ cutters, which is too wide, in my opinion, for tight Georgia pine woods work.

Yeah, I should have done more homework and looked at dual spindle cutters. The guy that bought the MX6000HST is interested in the RCR1884 so maybe I'll get a second shot at another rotary cutter.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I am happy with it. Only real complaint is it’s long. Wish I would’ve looked at a dual spindle, but that would put me into 8’ cutters, which is too wide, in my opinion, for tight Georgia pine woods work.

Bush Hog and Land Pride show 7' dual spindle cutters. Land Pride's is offset. Bush Hog's looks like 3 gearboxes.

 

[SDT]

Hey folks, new tractor owner here, so pardon my ignorance...


looking for a rotary cutter for my L3800. I need to do some minimal field work (less than 5 acres), keep some trails clean and manage some brush on the property. I'd like something that will do at least a 2 inch cut without breaking the bank. Thoughts on the way to go? Local dealer has Titan products, but the reviews seem mixed.

Thanks for any help

I've bought and sold many rough cut cutters over the years and buy mostly Woods these days.

Both Woods and Bush Hog are considered top tier with LP second shelf but gaining. Of course, all three make both economy, mid-level, and HD models.

Something to consider when buying a small rough-cut mower is the tail wheel bearing. Most (all?) manufacturers use bushings rather than roller bearings in the tail wheels of low cost models. A tail wheel bushing will be a continual source of maintenance even if lubricated regularly. A roller bearing will last the lifetime of the cutter even with less than ideal maintenance.

The blade/pin change system used by Woods for the past few years makes blade changes simple.

 

[JimmyJazz]

I recommend the County Line brand available at Tractor Supply. Probably made in China by children. I would consider it a light duty mower at a light duty price. I have had mine 8 years and have had no problems. I periodically mow farm trails with it behind my 40hp Allis Chalmers tractor . Depending on your age and health it may last a lifetime but I wouldn't count on it. Still, I feel a good value. Good Luck

 

[mcmxi]

Bush Hog and Land Pride show 7' dual spindle cutters. Land Pride's is offset. Bush Hog's looks like 3 gearboxes.

I called the local Kubota dealer today and asked about the cost and availability of an RCD1884 and RCR2596. The RCD1884 is not currently in production, but if it were it's around $6,500. The RCR2596 is in production but if ordered today it would be around $7,500 and might get here before the end of the year, but probably not!

 

[Sammy3700]

I noticed you are in Charleston Look at Hardee or EVH they are in Red Bluff SC and make a good product I have their tiger cub 5’ now they offer 5&1/2 which will work with your tractor

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I called the local Kubota dealer today and asked about the cost and availability of an RCD1884 and RCR2596. The RCD1884 is not currently in production, but if it were it's around $6,500. The RCR2596 is in production but if ordered today it would be around $7,500 and might get here before the end of the year, but probably not!

I didn't say they'd be cheap .
I bet the Bush Hog wouldn't be either.
How about a 7' flail?

 

[MOOTS]

Bush Hog and Land Pride show 7' dual spindle cutters. Land Pride's is offset. Bush Hog's looks like 3 gearboxes.

They ‘spensive. A bush hog 317 cutter was over 5k at my dealer. I did look at used 3308’s on marketplace.

 

[mcmxi]

I didn't say they'd be cheap .
I bet the Bush Hog wouldn't be either.
How about a 7' flail?

The flail I ordered that's being delivered tomorrow wasn't cheap either. It's a 6' model though since a 7' wasn't available.

 

[sdrake]

Thanks for all of the insight folks. Very helpful for folks like me getting started.

I got lucky (I think) and found a used Woods Bush Bull with a clutch that is in great shape minus some faded paint. Picked it up and an older brush hog heavy duty auger (with 6&9 inch bits) for $1,700 as a package deal. Looks like I have officially started down the path of implement hording...