Need Rotary Cutter Buying Advice for LX2610

[HowardTractor]

I'm considering getting a Land Pride RCR1860 or RCR1548 to maintain the edges of my property much of which is surrounded by trees. I am getting all kinds of crazy brambles and some saplings growing under the trees. Most the area is relatively flat, although the drive way is about 1/4 mile long, also surrounded sparsely by trees, and it has a few areas of uneven ground. But I will be backing in a good deal in between trees for much of the work.

I am leaning towards the RCR1548 because it would allow me a bit more maneuverability and it might be better suited to my smaller tractor. Any advice choosing between these two or other suggestions welcome.

 

[RalphVa]

I recently got an RCR1548 for the B2601. I mow trails, and the 60 would stick out too much on the sides. If you're just doing a lot of flat fields the bigger one would get the job done quicker.

I'll need to mow big areas where we had a forestry mulcher clear but only once/yr or once ever 2 years. It'll take longer with the 48.

Before, I had an old Fontier RC2048.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I'm considering getting a Land Pride RCR1860 or RCR1548 to maintain the edges of my property much of which is surrounded by trees. I am getting all kinds of crazy brambles and some saplings growing under the trees. Most the area is relatively flat, although the drive way is about 1/4 mile long, also surrounded sparsely by trees, and it has a few areas of uneven ground. But I will be backing in a good deal in between trees for much of the work.

I am leaning towards the RCR1548 because it would allow me a bit more maneuverability and it might be better suited to my smaller tractor. Any advice choosing between these two or other suggestions welcome.

I am not sure the width of your machine by spec, however if you plan to mow strips near a fence row or building and you want to cut close to fence/building to avoid trimming with walk behind mower, IMO it’s easier with a wider mower where you tractor doesn’t have to be so close to the fence or building or whatever.

There are times depending on pinch points where maybe you just want to barely cover your tracks to be able to squeeze through, in other situations a little wider is easier to get under some low branches(or fence or building) in passing and keep machine itself a little further away.

Laugh if you want, but before I go into an area of woods or something unfamiliar with…I walk round with arms out like (look up for snags and widow makers) a plane to sort of determine where I can and can not fit…and then I try to figure out how I can get the machine to that area (I have two hilly properties and how to get to/from (safely) where I want to use the tractor can be challenge.)

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have used my RCR1860 for two years on my LX SU, and it has performed extremely well. It cuts great, and the LX SU has no problems pulling moderate hills with it. The heavier duty nature of the RCR1860 (rated for 2 inch material and a 10 gauge deck) plus the option of the slip clutch (which I have) were all important to me. Considering the dings mine has picked up with an occasional rock strike, I would not recommend the lighter duty RCR1548.

 

[jimh406]

I would lean toward the 1860 for the same reasons Elliot in GA mentioned. I'd also note that 12 inches might not seem like much, but it's 25% more cut on each pass.

In other words, it will take you 5 passes with the 48 for 4 passes with the 60. Fwiw, I was going to go with a 60 for my L2501. My salesman suggested the 72 to make it easier to get close to fences. I'm not suggesting that you should go to 72. It's a lot heavier and my L2501 is quite a bit heavier than an LX2610.

I'd also definitely go with a model that has a slip clutch.

 

[cthomas]

I have the RCR1260 that I use with my LX2610 that has a cab and it does have enough power to run it. This rotary cutter is the lighter duty version as I am just mowing/maintaining a field twice a year.

 

[number two]

The 60 inch is a no brainer!
Good Luck!

 

[RalphVa]

I'd recommend a Frontier RC2048 or RC2060. Just finished setting up the Land Pride RC1548, and it was a PITA. Story in a separate post. Wrong color, but who cares?

 

[kcs]

I just looked at. RCR 1860 today for my B2650. Very impressed. I think I’m going to call my dealer on Monday and tell him I want it

 

[HumbleWoods]

I can't offer advice from practical experience (been waiting on the cutter for 15 months), but I have an LX2610, and I ordered the RCR1548 cutter. My property is 12 acres, mostly wooded. I need a brush cutter to maintain the edges between cleared areas and the woods, including along a 600 ft driveway, a few areas under the trees, and some paths through the woods. Like you, I imagine there will be lots of backing between trees, and I imagine the smaller cutter will be more maneuverable, and allow me to get into more areas than a 60 inch wide cutter would. The RCR1548 is advertised as having a heavy-duty gearbox, and is rated for 2" saplings, so on paper, it sounds like it meets my needs.

So I say get the RCR1548. We might both be wrong about the choice, but if we both have the same cutter, we can be regretful together.

 

[kcs]

Hahahahaha that’s true. I think I’m going to stick with the 60”. I have some friends that have contacts that want fields cut. Hopefully getting my retirement job lined up. But I agree with you. If you have a lot of trees to cut around I’d go with a smaller one too. The Rcr1860 has 10 or 11 gauge decking and sides So I think that’s the one I’m going with

 

[jyoutz]

I have used my RCR1860 for two years on my LX SU, and it has performed extremely well. It cuts great, and the LX SU has no problems pulling moderate hills with it. The heavier duty nature of the RCR1860 (rated for 2 inch material and a 10 gauge deck) plus the option of the slip clutch (which I have) were all important to me. Considering the dings mine has picked up with an occasional rock strike, I would not recommend the lighter duty RCR1548.

All the RCR models are the same duty grade, just different widths.

 

[HowardTractor]

I can't offer advice from practical experience (been waiting on the cutter for 15 months), but I have an LX2610, and I ordered the RCR1548 cutter. My property is 12 acres, mostly wooded. I need a brush cutter to maintain the edges between cleared areas and the woods, including along a 600 ft driveway, a few areas under the trees, and some paths through the woods. Like you, I imagine there will be lots of backing between trees, and I imagine the smaller cutter will be more maneuverable, and allow me to get into more areas than a 60 inch wide cutter would. The RCR1548 is advertised as having a heavy-duty gearbox, and is rated for 2" saplings, so on paper, it sounds like it meets my needs.

So I say get the RCR1548. We might both be wrong about the choice, but if we both have the same cutter, we can be regretful together.

Sounds like we are in a similar situation.

I have a 60” MMM which I used to use to cut the finished areas of the property.. But I decided to get a zero turn and ended up getting a slightly smaller width, and I do appreciate the added maneuverability. If I were cutting large swaths of field, the bigger the better. As it is, a good chunk of our 10 acres is cut by a local farmer for free along with my neighbors fields. He bundles it and sells the bundles to local mushroom farmers for their use.

I have a feeling, I would probably be well served by either machine. It is interesting that Land Pride lists the lx as matching with the 1548, but not the 1860. Although both are said to be able to cut two inch diameter. It may come down to availability.

 

[kcs]

Sounds like we are in a similar situation.

I have a 60” MMM which I used to use to cut the finished areas of the property.. But I decided to get a zero turn and ended up getting a slightly smaller width, and I do appreciate the added maneuverability. If I were cutting large swaths of field, the bigger the better. As it is, a good chunk of our 10 acres is cut by a local farmer for free along with my neighbors fields. He bundles it and sells the bundles to local mushroom farmers for their use.

I have a feeling, I would probably be well served by either machine. It is interesting that Land Pride lists the lx as matching with the 1548, but not the 1860. Although both are said to be able to cut two inch diameter. It may come down to availability.

they had a 1260 sitting on the lot. And a 1860. Big difference in the construction of them. The 1260 was a much lighter duty than the 1860

 

[ken erickson]

All the RCR models are the same duty grade, just different widths.

The way I read the Landpride website not all RCR cutters are rated the same.
The RCR12 versus RCR18 for example shows a 1 inch cutting capacity versus 2 inch for the RCR18 series.

They also list a RCR26 series which they list as "medium duty"

To be fair I may not know what is meant by "duty grade" but in the RCR12 versus the RCR18 both in 72 inch width there is a considerable difference in weight plus the difference in rated cutting diameter.

 

[kcs]

The way I read the Landpride website not all RCR cutters are rated the same.
The RCR12 versus RCR18 for example shows a 1 inch cutting capacity versus 2 inch for the RCR18 series.

They also list a RCR26 series which they list as "medium duty"

To be fair I may not know what is meant by "duty grade" but in the RCR12 versus the RCR18 both in 72 inch width there is a considerable difference in weight plus the difference in rated cutting diameter.

My dealer did not recommend the RCR 12 unless you are doing just high grass. He suggested I get the RCR18.

 

[ken erickson]

My dealer did not recommend the RCR 12 unless you are doing just high grass. He suggested I get the RCR18.

I Understand the recommendations of your dealer, I was pointing out that there is a difference in cutting capacity and weights within the RCR series rotary cutters.

I run a RCR1272 behind my L2501 HST and occasionally will get into small oak and aspen in the 1" to 1/2" range with no issues or signs of abuse on the cutter or tractor.

 

[kcs]

I Understand the recommendations of your dealer, I was pointing out that there is a difference in cutting capacity and weights within the RCR series rotary cutters.

I run a RCR1272 behind my L2501 HST and occasionally will get into small oak and aspen in the 1" to 1/2" range with no issues or signs of abuse on the cutter or tractor.

From what I understand the RCR 12 can cut up too 1” and the RCR 18 is up too 2”

 

[Elliott in GA]

All the RCR models are the same duty grade, just different widths.

You might want to review the LP specs for the various RCRs; there are differences between the 15s and 18s.
The 15s have a 12 gauge deck versus the 18s' 10 gauge deck, and very importantly the 18s have a much more reinforced deck (upside down c-channel) as opposed to the 15s' flat stock. Compare the lift pin mounts in the photos below. On a minor point, the 18s' tailwheel is a more durable laminated tire, not the 15s' solid tire.

RCR18

RCR15

 

[jyoutz]

You might want to review the LP specs for the various RCRs; there are differences between the 15s and 18s.
The 15s have a 12 gauge deck versus the 18s' 10 gauge deck, and very importantly the 18s have a much more reinforced deck (upside down c-channel) as opposed to the 15s' flat stock. Compare the lift pin mounts in the photos below. On a minor point, the 18s' tailwheel is a more durable laminated tire, not the 15s' solid tire.

View attachment 96645 RCR18
View attachment 96646 RCR15

You are correct. I misread the post. I thought he was referring to a 4’ and 5’ model in the same series.