[Live Oak]

Now that I have over a 100 acres of grass land to cut; I have been considering and looking at a rotary cutter for the job. My preference would be for the John Deere MX5 but at nearly $1,800, I don't like the idea of taking a top of the line cutter like that out into field cutting conditions in which most of the land has not been cut in over 2 or more years. I am thinking about going with a King Kutter 5 ft. model with a slip clutch instead of the shear bolt. I would hate to trash out a rotary cutter like an MX5 in harsh conditions and at $550; the King Kutter seems to be a pretty well built unit and I won't feel near as bad if I trash it out making the first cuts on my new farm . I plan to set it as high as possble for the first cuts to avoid as much debry and obstacles as possible. Then I will go back and clean up the exposed hazards and cut lower. When I get the place in shape like I want it; I may go with an MX5 down the road.

Any comments or suggestions?

 

[MowHoward2210]

Wow, Chief, 100 acres to mow! You need a big tractor and a 15 ft "bat wing"!

I would go with the King Cutter, and let it take the abuse for a couple of seasons. Thats a good idea to mow high the first time. Have you considered contracting out the 1st mowing?

 

[farmallmaniac]

How come you are mowing all that. Would be some good land for wildlife.
Ryan

 

[Live Oak]

I have thought about contracting it out but I have the equipment and the time. Plus the peace of mind knowing I did it right or at least to my expectations. Contracting out 100 acres would be prohibitively costly. I plan to gradually cut it over time and not all at once.

 

[Michael]

Hey chief have you also checked out the Woods line of rotary cutters. I got a pretty good little unit for my Kubota for around 500.00 for my pasture. I realize it is small a single but it really does a great job and I use it all the time in the neighborhood on other folks pasture. It generates a little extra cash for me.

 

[Live Oak]

I have looked at the Woods cutters but they are a bit pricier as compared to the King Kutter models. For now I was thinking a good el cheapo 5' cutter would be best.

 

[Chris]

I can personally endorse the Howse line of implements. They are well-made, fair priced and last and last. Every single one of my implements is a Howse and I have been satisfied COMPLETELY with them. 100 acres? Wow, Pooh bear you ever find Christopher Robin yet? I second the 15' bat wing ---- John Deere model HX-15
somewhere around $10K ---

:tractorsm :tractorsm :tractorsm :tractorsm :tractorsm :tractorsm

<center><img src=http://www.tractorforum.com/5420.jpg></center>

<hr>

:furious: :furious: :furious:

 

[Chris]

HAHAHA

 

[Live Oak]

The 4410 and a 5' cutter are gonna have to do me for now. I may look at a 6' cutter but it won't make much difference. Might be better around fence rows.

 

[Michael]

Have you check around for some cheap used equipment? Sometimes deals can be found in the fall.

 

[Chipmaker]

Hardee brand of cutters makes a well made cutter priced along the lines of the King brand, and they are made right there in Tennesee..........Nothing wrong with a King, and its a very popular cutter here in Alabama. I have a Hardee Tiger cub 54". I opted for the 54 inch so I could fit it between more trees and be less of a load on my Ford 1720 when I initially bought my place as I intended to do a lot of heavy hogging. Now it sets unused (by me on my place) for the most part, but does see quite a bit of use on my friends place. I did have one problem with it since I bought it, and that was the lower shaft seal on the gear box went out due to picking up some fence wire (electric fence type) which ate up the seal. Never got around to replacing that seal, and all I did was pack the gear box full of grease. Been like that well over 15 years now and it works just fine. I pulled off the top gear box bearing mount cap, and internals looked like new.......so evidently I can get by without ever replacing that seal and I don't worry about a seal on the bottom getting torn up by vines and old fence wire anymore. May not be a sound fix, but it has worked fine so far for many many years.

Around here most rotary or even finishing cutters that are sold are pretty well trashed and rusted out, and those that are not, almost bring the price of a new one.

 

[Live Oak]

Does Hardee have a web site Chip?

 

[Chris]

Look at Howse --- made in MS..... www.howseimplements.com

:nerd:

 

[Live Oak]

The link is not working Andy.

 

[Chris]

http://www.howseimplement.com/

 

[Live Oak]

Originally posted by Chipmaker
Hardee brand of cutters makes a well made cutter priced along the lines of the King brand, and they are made right there in Tennesee..........Nothing wrong with a King, and its a very popular cutter here in Alabama. I have a Hardee Tiger cub 54". I opted for the 54 inch so I could fit it between more trees and be less of a load on my Ford 1720 when I initially bought my place as I intended to do a lot of heavy hogging. Now it sets unused (by me on my place) for the most part, but does see quite a bit of use on my friends place. I did have one problem with it since I bought it, and that was the lower shaft seal on the gear box went out due to picking up some fence wire (electric fence type) which ate up the seal. Never got around to replacing that seal, and all I did was pack the gear box full of grease. Been like that well over 15 years now and it works just fine. I pulled off the top gear box bearing mount cap, and internals looked like new.......so evidently I can get by without ever replacing that seal and I don't worry about a seal on the bottom getting torn up by vines and old fence wire anymore. May not be a sound fix, but it has worked fine so far for many many years.

Around here most rotary or even finishing cutters that are sold are pretty well trashed and rusted out, and those that are not, almost bring the price of a new one.

chipmaker, it looks like they must have moved or been bought out. They are located in South Carolina now. Looks like they build real nice stuff. Here is the website for anyone else who may be interested:

Hardee Equipment

 

[Live Oak]

Link works like a champ now Andy. Thanks!

 

[Chris]

Good stuff there Chief... all of my stuff is Howse and I am very happy with it.

 

[ducati996]

Chief,

Congrats on the new land ! unbelievable amount of land, very nice!!

Did you try Corriher equipment? I been stocking up on a few things from them, almost done with my collection


Duc

 

[Live Oak]

Originally posted by ducati996
Chief,

Congrats on the new land ! unbelievable amount of land, very nice!!

Did you try Corriher equipment? I been stocking up on a few things from them, almost done with my collection


Duc

Corriher was one of the 1st places I looked but I figured that shipping would be prohibitively costly. They had some nice cutters at good prices but I think the shipping would eat up the savings.