Rotary Cutter

[Daferris]

Also you might want to look at EA cutters. https://www.everythingattachments.com/60-Inch-XTreme-Duty-Rotary-Brush-Cutter-p/eta-xdbc-60-sp.htm

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Wow I thought flail mowers were more expensive. Is that a good brand? I’m a newbie with all this stuff

I think so, I've seen quite a few in use and they hold up real well!

 

[kcs]

I think so, I've seen quite a few in use and they hold up real well!

Wow thanks. Now something else to think about. Lol

 

[Elliott in GA]

The good and the bad of flail mowers. I could never use a flail on our land - too many loose rocks and sticks.

 

[kcs]

The good and the bad of flail mowers. I could never use a flail on our land - too many loose rocks and sticks.

Yeah I’m going to be cutting different field so I’m not sure that will
Work. Plus looking at the weight of them I’m not sure on that. I’ve got to see what my 3pt will lift

 

[jimh406]

I’ve got to see what my 3pt will lift

Your 3 pt will lift more than enough.

 

[kcs]

Your 3 pt will lift more than enough.

Ok thanks. Now decision decisions

 

[jyoutz]

Ok thanks. I was leaning towards the Ironcraft. Is it going to make a difference with the rubber guards or chain guards

I have rubber guards on my rotary cutter. After one season, there are tears in the rubber at some of the mounting bolt areas. I’m planning to replace the rubber guard with chain guards.

 

[SDT]

I’m looking at getting a rotary cutter for my B2650. I’ve looked at Ironcraft and Land Pride. Both are 60” and have shear bolts. Any advice for this newbie. I’m getting ready to retire and want to make some extra money doing odd jobs with my tractor. Thanks in advance

If you plan to operate a 60" rough cut mower with your 2650 you will need a light weight one. Kubota specifies a maximum rough cut mower size of 48" and 500 Lbs. for the 2650.

Yes, folks do operate 60" cutters with 2650s but I would avoid exceedinig the weight limit. I expect you will agree once you have inspected the attachment points for the lower lift arms.

If you choose a 60" cutter, get an inexpensive, light weight model and avoid the bells and whistles such as chains, slip clutches.

You will also need a set of front weights if you plan to operate a 60" cutter on steep ground.

Save some money to help pay for the weights.

 

[My Barn]

I’m looking at getting a rotary cutter for my B2650. I’ve looked at Ironcraft and Land Pride. Both are 60” and have shear bolts. Any advice for this newbie. I’m getting ready to retire and want to make some extra money doing odd jobs with my tractor. Thanks in advance

Do yourself a favor and get insurance! My was part of our Homeowners. It covers the tractor on the farm and off. I have a Woods that was purchase 20 years ago. We have a lot of rocks it's done well and no real damage...Yes I used off site too.

 

[jimh406]

You will also need a set of front weights if you plan to operate a 60" cutter on steep ground

Are you assuming he will mow without the FEL on?

 

[SDT]

Are you assuming he will mow without the FEL on?

Of course.

I almost never mow with FEL on for multiple reasons.

 

[ken erickson]

If you plan to operate a 60" rough cut mower with your 2650 you will need a light weight one. Kubota specifies a maximum rough cut mower size of 48" and 500 Lbs. for the 2650.

Yes, folks do operate 60" cutters with 2650s but I would avoid exceedinig the weight limit. I expect you will agree once you have inspected the attachment points for the lower lift arms.

If you choose a 60" cutter, get an inexpensive, light weight model and avoid the bells and whistles such as chains, slip clutches.

You will also need a set of front weights if you plan to operate a 60" cutter on steep ground.

Save some money to help pay for the weights.

I am assuming the RCR1260 would be considered "rough cut" ? When I check the Kubota matched implement chart they "ok" this cutter for a B2650. This cutter also comes in at under 500 lbs. Am I missing something?

 

[jimh406]

Of course.

I almost never mow with FEL on for multiple reasons.

Oh, for the opposite reasons why people mow with the FEL on.

 

[jyoutz]

Oh, for the opposite reasons why people mow with the FEL on.

I always mow with the loader on because I’m rotary cutting native grass and woodland areas, not lawn areas. The bucket provides a handy trash can for limbs and other things I find while cutting.

 

[SDT]

I am assuming the RCR1260 would be considered "rough cut" ? When I check the Kubota matched implement chart they "ok" this cutter for a B2650. This cutter also comes in at under 500 lbs. Am I missing something?

If less than 500 Lbs, you should be OK unless attempting to cut heavy grass close when you will be severly power limited. If mowing steep ground you will need front weights or FEL.

 

[SDT]

I always mow with the loader on because I’m rotary cutting native grass and woodland areas, not lawn areas. The bucket provides a handy trash can for limbs and other things I find while cutting.

I mow only my own property and haven't cleared brush in years.

In years past, I mowed in reverse when cutting brush/trees.

 

[mcmxi]

Ironcraft is 11 gauge, Land Pride is 12, so thinner deck on Land Pride...

That's a difference in thickness of .015" ... so is that really a criteria worth considering?

 

[mcmxi]

The good and the bad of flail mowers. I could never use a flail on our land - too many loose rocks and sticks.

Notice that the cutter that Neal is running has knives rather than hammers. I'm running hammers on my Del Morino Centurion Super 158 and it seems to do a great job of mulching anything and everything. Would that branch have wedged in the mower had he been running hammers? I don't know. Rocks aren't an issue for me other than chipping or bending the cutting edge on the hammers, nor is woody stuff for that matter.

There's a place for rotary cutters and flail mowers, but if I had to pick either the Land Pride RCR1884 or the Del Morino Centurion Super 158, both of which I have and use, it'd be the Del Morino. It's more versatile than the rotary cutter, it's more compact (good for cutting, trailering and storage), it uses less hp, it's quieter when running, it gives a decent finish and it does a better job of mulching the vegetation. It's perhaps slower but I haven't done an apples to apples comparison. I've used both the flail and rotary cutter at a friend's property but during entirely different conditions. I tend to prefer the rotary cutter at my place behind the M6060 rather than the flail behind the MX given all the hills and the wider cut. That said, I like having both cutters and using both for the tasks at which they shine.

Flail mower

Rotary cutter

c

 

[Elliott in GA]

Notice that the cutter that Neal is running has knives rather than hammers. I'm running hammers on my Del Morino Centurion Super 158 and it seems to do a great job of mulching anything and everything. Would that branch have wedged in the mower had he been running hammers? I don't know. Rocks aren't an issue for me other than chipping or bending the cutting edge on the hammers, nor is woody stuff for that matter.

There's a place for rotary cutters and flail mowers, but if I had to pick either the Land Pride RCR1884 or the Del Morino Centurion Super 158, both of which I have and use, it'd be the Del Morino. It's more versatile than the rotary cutter, it's more compact (good for cutting, trailering and storage), it uses less hp, it's quieter when running, it gives a decent finish and it does a better job of mulching the vegetation. It's perhaps slower but I haven't done an apples to apples comparison. I've used both the flail and rotary cutter at a friend's property but during entirely different conditions. I tend to prefer the rotary cutter at my place behind the M6060 rather than the flail behind the MX given all the hills and the wider cut. That said, I like having both cutters and using both for the tasks at which they shine.

Flail mower
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View attachment 96248

Rotary cutter
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View attachment 96252 c

Like I said, good and bad; both flails and rotary cutters have them.

I spend a fair amount of time backing my rotary cutter under trees (where sticks and rocks abound) to grind up saplings and small privet hedge - very common in the south; the reach of the rotary cutter is more than the flail. The off-set of the flail would be much better for cutting along fence lines. I also like the ability of a rotary cutter to to cut higher than a flail; I think my rotary cutter tops out at 10 inches. I keep it set to 5 inches, but occasionally I raise it with the 3pt to top a briar patch on the perimeter of a field that I cannot see into. Sometimes, those briar patches conceal a pile of rocks from the field or a big stump. I also like the flexible height control using the 3pt. to lower the front end of the rotary cutter to cut closer or grind more as needed in a spot.

Once I have reclaimed a field, I switch to my finish mower. Like a flail, it is quiet with low vibration; it is a pleasure to mow a field with one. For me, rotary cutter and finish mower are the right combination.