Three Things That are Pure "Sales Hype" About Rotary Cutters

I can tell what people are doing right now because of the questions that are coming in. I've had a bunch of folks want to know more about rotary cutters in the last couple of weeks and it seems like every time I do a video on these machines it gets a lot of views. So, I'm going to cover a bunch of the recent questions in the next three videos.
If you're out shopping for a brush hog and you've never been around one, there are lots of terms that may confuse you. You have a sales person sitting across the desk from you telling you that his machine is better because one specification beats everyone else's, you may not know what to believe. In this video I give you three selling features on rotary cutters, that in my humble opinion, are nothing more than sales hype.
The first is gearbox horsepower and, with that, the size of the gearbox. Gearboxes are rated by the maximum horsepower they'll handle, and if a salesperson is trying to tell you his machine is superior because it has 90 hp gearboxes and that's vastly superior to a competitor's with 65 hp gearboxes, I'd argue. If you have a 30 hp tractor it's really a moot point, in fact, do you really need a heavier gearbox for a small tractor? I'd take that out of the equation.
The next claim about rotary cutters is that mine is better because it has a longer gearbox warranty. I used to hate it when manufacturers put extremely long warranties on one part of a piece of equipment. As a customer, you tend to hear the longest warranty period the salesperson tells you, and they tend not to reveal during the sales process that while the warranty on the gearbox is six years, the rest of the machine has a one-year warranty. That's the way it usually is. My opinion is that if there's going to be a manufacturer-defect warranty issue, it'll show up in the first year. If that gearbox survives one whole season of cutting, especially when you're knocking down land that hasn't been cleared in a while, it's likely to make it for a long time...WITH PROPER CARE. Most of the time, when a gearbox fails it's because the operator didn't check the oil (or had a lot of water in there), hit something that didn't move, or ran into something in the field that wrapped up around the desk and took the seal out of the bottom of the gearbox and it ran without lubrication until it blew up. None of those scenarios would be covered under warranty. I'd be real surprised if a manufacturer who put a six year warranty on a gearbox wouldn't find a way around replacing one in the last year. If it lasted that long was it really a manufacturing defect?
Finally, the last sales feature that I think is overrated is blade tip speed. Faster blade tip speeds generally mean a cleaner cut, but do you really want that? I'm brush hogging woody plants like buck brush, locust trees and briars and don't want them cut off clean. A rough cut might mean slow, or no, regrowth and that undesireable plant goes away. So I'd avoid paying any attention to blade tip speed unless I wanted a really nice looking cut, and then it might be time to consider a finish mower.
Some may argue with me, but those are three things I wouldn't pay any attention to if I were buying a rotary cutter. In my next video we'll look at five things I would definitely be looking at to compare different machines when buying. A final video will look at options to get, and those to avoid when buying a cutter.
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[@BelloBudo007]

Australian here tuning-in to learn what I can to replace my current slasher and hopefully make a wise decision. Your tips were very helpful. Much appreciated, thank you.

[@ritterjon]

Appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us Tractor Mike!! I learn a lot from your channel. God bless

[@rickmoreland2675]

You always put out great videos. Keep up the good work sir!

[@kdegraa]

Great to hear you refer to these mowers as slashers. Hi from Australia.

[@davemiller3027]

Great information as usual. Keep the videos coming.

[@daveroberts9921]

So it's true size doesn't matter. I feel better now thanks Mike.

[@mikedickson2925]

Good idea about the tip speed. Never thought of that. Thanks!!

[@semco72057]

I have a John Deere model 513 rotary cutter which I got in a package deal when I purchased my model 790 tractor and it is still working just fine for me. The unit have not given me any problems, but I am particular about what I cut with it and do my best to keep it and all my equipment well lubricated and regular maintenance done on them. I have a new tractor to go along with my 790 and use it with my other equipment while leaving the brush hog on my 790 tractor since that implement is used more than the others.

[@comlbbeau]

You've mentioned this before in previous videos, but being able to look occasionally at where you park your cutter for any evidence of oil dripping down from the gearbox seal is a smart tactic to perhaps avoid running your gearbox out of oil. In my case I park on a smooth concrete floor, and any dripping oil is immediately apparent.

[@robertfakler8564]

Great advice, Mike.

[@RandallMoore1955]

Good Advice, I just bought a Farm King 8 foot rotary cutter, so far so good. Thanks again for the Great tips. Getting after it in Ohio.

[@anthonylandrum63]

Always enjoy your videos and your knowledge. It's not a fair blanket statement to say manufacturers will try to get out of a 5 or 6 year old part, unless you have documented evidence. Anyway, keep on with sharing the knowledge! Tony from Texas.

[@andylamm5571]

Tractor Mike. I bought a New Tractor Package that came with a 5 ' Cut. It's a Model Bush Hog, L112. When the tractor and implements I ordered came, the Bush Hog looks as though it was just attached out of the Crate. The rear wheel never touched the ground unless I want ruts from the front of the machine. To get the slant out, should the bar at the rear be adjusted or just call the dealer. Thank you. Learning a lot from you.

[@Matt-yq1ib]

Love your channel mike! New to tractors myself

[@semco72057]

I don't know what the cutter size is, but the people at the dealership told me that I could cut brush up to 3" inches thick, but I have limited the size to 2 inches or less and the trimmer works fine for me and I have had it since 2003 when I got it as part of a tractor package. It has given me great service and it cuts perfectly on the John Deere 790 tractor I got with it.

[@martyb3783]

Great video and good points!

[@Larry342516]

Good video Mike. Thank you

[@HomesteadEngineering]

Good tips. Thanks!

[@daveknowshow]

great information!

[@AutumnOaksFarm]

Thanks Mike great tips.

[@atvdonnie]

Something to add, if you have a 26 HP tractor and a cutter with a 90 HP gearbox, you’re going to waste a lot of HP just overcoming the friction and inertia in spinning the gearbox alone. The heavier the drivetrain components, the more parasitic loss incurred.

[@billyhighfill]

Good point 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@lucashaskins5536]

Worst thing I've ever seen run through a brush hog was a 150 foot high pressure garden hose.. You'd be surprised at just how fast 150 foot of wire braided hose wraps up in a bush hog. I'll tell you what, it's about 1/1000th the time it takes to cut the damn thing out with a box cutter.

[@svtirefire]

I wrapped up a 20 ft cable in a 54 inch 3 blade riding mower deck. Ended up having to take the deck off to get it out. Amazing how fast it can ruin your morning!

[@crpth1]

Not with a bush hog. In fact the "drama" was with a snow blower, rope and bungee cords. I cleaned all my area and went to help my neighbor, cleaning his side. Something I did quite often. No worries with that. UNTIL I realized the snow blower was bogging down and eventually died. Taking a sheer pin on the process. Long story short, he didn't cleaned his area at all. Eventually the snow covered everything. So I found out the worst way possible! Anyway a few !!hours!! of taking bungee cords and ropes. Teach me the lesson. Never did it again... ;-)

[@ceadeses]

Good info Mike.

[@ashagon]

Good info. Thanks

[@justincurless8611]

Well said Mike do I know about using a Bushhog 3 point chopper we had had a Bushhog BH 116 and they are wicked I ground up stuff up mowing Road sides and being a new Comer to them I was very impressed with it they are Completely unreal and last of all I would hilly recommend a Bushhog Chopper Mower to anybody to mow with

[@mmm1inmt]

good information video.

[@jorgesalazar521]

Can you do a video that shows how to do a pond with the box blade. Do I need the diggers on the box blade... not making a 20ft. Deep pond but a 3 to 5 deep over time... how do I set my box blade...

[@edwinevers7999]

What are your thoughts on stump jumpers or lack of

[@Formerlywarmer]

Nice video and great tips. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@DLTJR1959]

Usually the heavier the better. 7ga top decks with 1/4" thick side bands, 1/2" to 5/8" stump jumper, skid shoes and heavy duty gear box. Manufacturers state size of brush their hogs will take. Most of the medium to heavy duty cutters will be rated at 2"-3" material. Anything rated at 1" or so is lighter duty. The heavier the higher the cost. Good videos Mike. Thanks. My last cutter was a Brown 472 rated for 2" material. A 6 foot cutter that weighs over 1100# is pretty heavy duty. I sold it and purchased a 10' Titan that weighs 1500#. It is rated for 3" material but IMHO no heavier duty than the Brown but similar in capacity. I have taken down the occasional 3" pine saplings with both cutters. The venerable 305 and 306 Bush Hogs had 90 HP rated gearboxes with heavy stump jumpers and 1/4" top and sides. They weighed north of 1000#. To me they are the standard for heavy duty bush hogs unless you get into the tree cutters from Brown.

[@smyers194]

Older Balder Wiser jhh

[@steelreaper8066]

I ran over carpet before with a Case 115C and a Bush Hog 3308. Not fun! Stalled out the tractor! Slip clutch was working properly but after so many slips it finally bogged out the machine. Was fairly easy to cut out though.

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

I use my LandPride brush hog to mow with (cutting two acres) looks like finish mower cut (has skid plates)

[@MrMikeChain]

Can you recommend an ag tire air chuck? I have a JD 5100E series with pretty good size back tires. Thanks

[@GenAfterNextTactics]

We pump just regular grease in our gearbox because our seals under the stump jumper went out a long time ago, I think from barbed wire being wrapped up around it.

[@cowboywoodard2569]

I agree , grease and 140 wt.gear oil

[@TheScubaSmith]

Oh, how I love to indulge in the joy of remembering all the awful things I've wrapped up in rotary cutters over the years: Every kind of wire you can imagine, from barbed fence wire to old drop cords, plastic sheeting, rope and string, and mattress springs. Silt fence is the worst!

[@crpth1]

TheScubaSmith - There's some very good reasons to keep fields clean and tidy. That's just one of them. I've come up, just like everybody else, with the odd piece of wire on the wrong spot and all the other stuff. But an effort to keep things "clean" payoff big time. I tend to make a "field inspection" whenever possible. From garbage to stones, I always make an effort to gather and get it out of the way. When I bought the land it was a "nightmare", nowadays it's more a calm stroll around... ;-)

[@pbgd3]

My theory on equipment is hook it up and put hours on it right away. Be it a tiller or mower etc. Get at least 5 hours on it day or week one. Then drain the lube and drop a magnet in the pan. Look for stuff on it. If there is big chunks of crap (Chinese gear boxes) flush the box with kerosene and then refill it with fresh lube.

[@josephgreco1373]

Love your vedios, and I don't have a tractor. Just a lawn tractor - 18HP

[@born2flyau]

Mike, Number 3 is why i prefer a CHAIN SLASHER over a blade slasher. We have a lot of Bracken fern here in Australia and the chains tear the stem causing the fern to bleed more instead of a clean cut. they tend to die quicker in my opinion. Also when you lift the slasher up with the PTO disengages the chains hang down making it easier to gain access to the drive shaft underneath and clean out debris.

[@earlyriser8998]

shredding here in texas . But great advice.

[@ronaldschatte1383]

My issue as well. I am going to try the techniques with mesquite....so far I haven't had luck, maybe low and slow will work... may have to pre soak with a bucket of water.

[@swampwhiteoak1]

The gearbox on my Ford brush hog is running fine. I bought it new and this is its 33rd year in heavy service. If it lasts long enough maybe I will get my money’s worth.

[@jaxturner7288]

If after 33 years of service you still haven’t gotten your money out of it..... you’re doing it wrong.

[@charlesdevier8203]

I agree. I bought my 7 foot pull type Ford 906 mower 45 years ago and cleaned up my 250 acre farm. I had to replace a shaft bearing about every 10 years, the last time being 2 weeks ago. Bearing cost $49.50, but I replaced both top and bottom for $100. I use to pull with a 70 HP Deutz and mowed over 4 inch trees with no problem. Since both the mower and me are a little older, I don't do that any longer. I actually bought It used (slightly) for $800.

[@swampwhiteoak1]

@@charlesdevier8203 You are also doing well with your Ford cutter. Henry had the best engineers who designed products to last. Replacing those bearings every 10 years seems quite reasonable.

[@oswaltedmund6257]

Thanks mike for telling my carpet story! Cool story awful event.

[@blessed7fold]

What did you do to get it out @ Oswalt Edmund?

[@crpth1]

@@blessed7fold - Sweat, sweat , sweat. I'm pretty sure it was something like this! LOL 😂

[@laredokarl]

I have a JD flex wing and there’s an option of 4 blades per gear box. What is the advantage here? Less wear per blade? Cut larger material? Thx for your videos.

[@wildbill23c]

The more blades the better the cut quality would be. Its not going to cut heavier material, actually it'll be less able to cut heavier material as it has more blade mass spinning requiring more power from the tractor.

[@dominicsmall2625]

I operate a 5055e john deere in an open savannah which most of the time the grass is about a foot tall, my problem is that I'm putting the tractor in the lowest range which is "a" and in the 1st gear and the damn thing keeps bogging out to the point where it wants to cut off, the cutting pan gearbox ratio.1:1.46 don't know if it's the cutting pan gearbox ratio that's causing the problem can anyone help? Please! and what is the formula to measure the ratio to the tractor in future thanks!

[@dkeesecker8157]

Hey what size wheel spacer should I use on the rear of my John Deere 3025d I use it quit a bit on hill sides in wv Thanks dave

[@TractorMike]

Dave, I've not had any practical experience with wheel spacers, but wider is better.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

If you think carpet was bad to get in the cutter, you should try to clean out chain link fencing!

[@TractorMike]

Ugh...I bet that made a little noise when it was wrapping!

[@ngnmech]

1/4 mile of temporary phone line is fun also.

[@TractorMike]

And that would be especially good if the wife met you at the door and said, "Our new Internet service is already down!"

[@timscartoys9321]

Years ago my dad hit a "Slinky" with his riding lawnmower, and it took him forever to cut through the spring steel that got coiled tightly around one of the shafts!!

[@mackey77351]

How about old power line wire getting wrapped around the cutter. It has happened to me

[@MLJenkins]

Mike would a finish mower cut that field behind you (considering there were no obstructions like branches, stumps, etc.)? I have several areas that grow up like that because I don't have time to cut them every couple weeks and the rotary cutter cut is so rough it misses some stuff. The problem is I get in too much of a hurry to be honest, but I was wondering if a finish mower would chop the stuff up better. My main concern was the finish mower just getting clogged up like my lawn mower does in areas like that.

[@TractorMike]

Matt, the finish mower would struggle to expel all of that material. If you don't mow often enough to keep the height down, better stick with the rotary mower. It would be nice to own one of each!

[@gdavis8588]

If you mow very tall grass with a finish mower will it slip and quickly wear out belts?

[@sarge152cliff4]

Raise the finish mower up off the ground. it will cut better, it will do in a pinch

[@d.brownjr.4845]

I have a 50 model 8n ford tractor with a 70's model woods M5 5ft bushhog. How do think of that combination?. I do have a slip clutch on my pto. Plus a clutch on the bushhog. Love to hear your opinion. Where can I get I stumpjumper for my M5 , that's what it needs most of all. Is there a difference between the stumpjumper brands? Is there a universal type stumpjumper that I could put on my M5? I wanna do that with new blades.

[@TractorMike]

I highly doubt that all stump jumpers are the same but I really don't know. Maybe someone else with some background in the parts area will chime in and enlighten both of us. Sorry to be no help!

[@justinfranks3211]

What’s you ideas on the uplift blades on bush hogs? I have a Bush Hog BH16 with chain skirts I run in my business and I often bush hog fields every other month or large yards. Do they leave a better mulched grass behind?

[@TractorMike]

Justin, I've not had personal experience with uplift blades, but I know some people who have and I can check with them and see what they say. To get an answer back, please send me an e-mail at [e-mail] so I can respond. I'm starting to get so many comments, on the ones I have to research it takes hours to find the original question to respond to, So, if you'll send me an e-mail I'll get back with you that way. KZbin needs a way for us to go back and locate the messages and if they have it, I haven't figured it out. It can be hours and hours of scrolling.

[@judgeparker4236]

Once ran over an armadillo. The cutter pureed it with no trouble. :-)

[@TheSoloAsylum]

you must run a high blade speed, mine would have just thrown him out in three pieces.

[@cowboywoodard2569]

Ran over a calf once, he's was sleeping and scared the shit out me when blood and guts and bones on me and the field, I was 13 years old .

[@TheSoloAsylum]

You'll have better results mowing brush with a lower blade speed, It will also not pull down on the tractor as bad and you'll be able to maintain a decent speed. Run a higher rpm on a second cut and it will look great.

[@Cherokie89]

I can't see how a gearbox rating could possibly matter. Even if your tractor is beefier than the rating, as long as you run at the rated PTO speed and have a slip clutch or sheer bolts installed, how could the tractor power possibly affect things? It's running at the same speed no matter what engine is in front of it.

[@davewarrender2056]

Tractor Mike, I don't farm , but come from farming area, I use to be a self employed gardener, I had a rotary mower, I always made sure blades were sharp and balanced, do rotary cutters for tractors need to be sharp or is it just down to hydraulic flow rate that dictates what can cut?

[@TractorMike]

Dave, I did a video about that a few years ago. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp3PqJKlma2SaJY. I personally think that brush hog blades, by nature, don't need to be that sharp. You're trying to eliminate woody brush, a clean cut would encourage re-growth. Having said that, there comes a time when they're so dull that they don't cut well or they take too much horsepower and need to be sharpened or replaced. By the way, most tractor cutters are PTO powered, so horsepower, not hydraulic flow, and the material diameter rating of the cutter will dictate what you can cut.

[@cowboywoodard2569]

I sharpen mine razor sharp

[@edsomerford7301]

I see the figures on pto horsepower and gearbox horsepower but nothing said about large hp on cutter opposed to small hp on compact tractor. Can you damage your tractor by using too big of a hog? I have a Ford 1310 with 16.5 pto hp and. Woods m5-4 cutter. Owners manual does not say what the gearbox hp is. Don't want to damage my new clutch. Thanks

[@TractorMike]

Depends on how you use it. If you feel the cutter is working the tractor too hard, cut down the width you're cutting and/or slow down and you'll be okay. Those 1310's are pretty tough little tractors.

[@melecioybarra5248]

How about size of grass and thickness can it affect you cutter I got a 6-ftr on a ford naa jubilee i dont know what size engine the owner will not give me any info will it hurt my tractor let me know

[@SpynCycle57]

Check out www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/2/1/219-ford-naa.html It says the PTO is 30.15 HP, at least when it was new.

[@MrManic52001]

KTAC..... will cover it.

[@shonsamples]

Now I am noticing several manufacturers listing a minimum tractor PTO speed. For example, they may say the minimum is 25-50 RPMs. Does this mean a tractor that has a PTO speed of 23 RPMs would not work well with that particular rotary cutter?

[@shonsamples]

Sorry, I meant horsepower instead of RPMs, not enough coffee. Appreciate your input!

[@TractorMike]

Here's a video I did that talks about horsepower requirements for rotary cutters. It's a little complicated how they're rated because there are a lot of variables: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpK0kp2GhsSFia8.

[@shonsamples]

@@TractorMike Thanks Mike! This helped! Much appreciate your quick response!

[@davidcarleton6928]

Remember, if two cutters have identical gear ratios then the larger cutting diameter will have a higher blade speed.

[@amossnowdaharleyman9179]

Gearbox size I have to respectfully disagree. When you look at a 45HP versus a 90HP gearbox the difference is pronounced and when you open it up it's even more obvious. To me, the greater mass,larger gears,larger bearings etc on the 90HP equate to longevity. Other than seal replacements I've never seen major failures on larger HP gearboxes. However, on the smaller gearboxes I've come across cracked cases,shattered bearings,missing gear teeth etc.The shock load of hitting an obstruction is what usually takes the smaller ones out. With the larger HP gearboxes I've hit things that stalled a 70HP tractor and caused no damage to the gearbox at all.

[@sarge152cliff4]

you are doing apples and oranges. He's talking about say, a 90HP compared to a 90HP gear box. It's just the case is bigger. but the guts are the same.

[@lawrenceblack8968]

Hi, Mike. What should a new(er) mower deck operator look for to indicate that somehow water has gotten into the gearbox and contaminated the oil?

[@sarge152cliff4]

brownish or whitish oil like when coolant leaks into a crankcase

[@chefmatthammerschmidt8408]

My dad learned the hard way, grade eight bolts make the worst shear pins ever. That was a $500 stupid mistake. Also he was absolutely using the wrong tool for the job even though he had the right tool for the job sitting there staring him in the face.

[@marclussier2275]

Hey Mike, First off thank you for another great video. A question I have for you is about the current tariff tax wars that are being threatened by ours and many other countries. Is now the time to think about shopping for a tractor and implements before next year, or do you think it would be better to save money longer and then buy when you're sure of your needs and when you need it.?

[@TractorMike]

Marc, I hate to tell you, but I would bet that all of the companies have already raised their prices based on what they knew was coming. I was at a dealership yesterday and the implement company they represent (one of the majors) added a 4.5% surcharge April 1st to cover themselves in case this happened. They told the dealer that their steel suppliers had immediately raised prices at the threat of the trade situation worsening. A similar situation happened a few years back when fuel prices and shipping costs rose drastically overnight and many equipment companies lost money until they adjusted their pricing with surcharges. They remember that situation and won't let it happen again. You might check with your local dealers and see if there's any old/new inventory around, invoiced before the surcharges went into effect.

[@marclussier2275]

Tractor Mike Mike, Thank you for the information. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July. Try to stay cool, it's going to be in the mid 90's this weekend with heat index over 100.

[@markproulx1472]

How did you know that I’m in the market for a brush hog? 😉

[@billymorgan7717]

Accidentally ran over a 100 ft electric cord. It wrapped around the cutter. Fortunately, it didn't hurt anything.

[@sarge152cliff4]

I bet it hurt the electric cord

[@JoeJacksonGT3]

I wonder if one of these would keep the poke weed from spreading, or if it will make it worse..we have so much on our property that it's a bit depressing. It spreads faster than anything I've ever seen

[@TractorMike]

Poke is hard to get rid of as the tap root goes on forever. If you kept it mowed it would control it, but you'll have to keep after it for an extended period of time.

[@ramboollie8115]

10ft log chain was pretty bad to hit

[@dennislanphear9040]

The 6ft King Kutter rotary mower a good mower I have a 36 horsepower Massey Ferguson have a 78 woodmaxx flail mower when the King Kutter 6-foot do better job on brush it may hurt my 78-in with Max

[@robert704]

Know a man who mowed an acetylene tank.. horrific he passed away

[@ronaldschatte1383]

Sad dangers of shredding unknown fields. So hard to know the dangers you cannot see being buried for years. Take a pitchfork and machete with you to check questionable areas.

[@acerhillfarm4245]

Cows will eat Johnson grass like none other! Get some stocker moo machines in there!

[@manga12]

dont forget the little lambs,

[@foxbodyford]

Watch nearly all of your videos, and I appreciate the help but put that seat belt on.

[@TractorMike]

Point well taken. I wear the seat belt when I'm actually doing work, when I'm filming, it's constant on and off the tractor to move the camera and sometimes I forget. Someday I'll do a video on how long it takes to do anything when you're trying to do a KZbin video at the same time...it's insane :).

[@foxbodyford]

I stress the appreciate part of my 1st comment. Thanks again for your efforts

[@ffjsb]

If you run over a mattress or carpet, you're not paying attention to what you're doing.

[@ryanbbew4947]

ffjsb wrong. ... they bury themselves in the bushes and bushes grow ovet them.

[@wildbill23c]

I can see where lower blade speeds for a brush hog are better, I don't think you would be mowing your lawn with a brush hog so having a nice pretty cut isn't the job of the brush hog, and with the stuff a brush hog gets into lower blade tip speeds probably save some wear on the machine. Don't own a tractor but find your videos interesting. Blade tip speed...this is more of a commercial lawn mower thing I think. I guess they have a law for residential mowers that blade tips can only spin so fast...where commercial mower blade tip speeds can be far higher, and those higher blade tip speeds give your lawn a much better look, they lift and cut your grass better, and they do a much better job at throwing the clippings out of the cutting area, or mulching or bagging whichever you are doing. Someone with some better knowledge on this? Why does that blade tip speed law exist for residential/homeowner type lawnmowers? I can't see it as a safety issue, you get hit by something flying out of a lawnmower its going to hurt or kill you regardless of which mower you are using...what is the reasoning behind it?

[@MLJenkins]

Interesting I didn't know there was a government standard. I did some research and found this on OSHA referring to walk behind and riding mowers: "1910.243(e)(2)(ix) The maximum tip speed of any blade shall be 19,000 feet per minute." I am not sure if this same code would impact farm machinery or if there is different code. It would be interesting to hear others' opinions. The link to the code is: www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9850

[@jodyriggs5679]

Gear box ratio.

[@donniebargo964]

Yeah well my dad rap a 6-foot rattlesnake a Big Timber Rattler up in his brush cutter almost did not figure out what that smell was till I jacked it up and roll dundry on a creeper and then you talk about a scared of your life

[@garycooper4982]

burnnt steel belted tyres are the worst

[@rosewood1]

My biggest critiscm of allot of slashers is the design of the cutter assembly under. My old slasher has a giant circular disk and the heavy blades are designed to flick back when say you hit rocks. This means that there is minimal shock to drive line. But many especially cheap sdlashers have a spinning bar and blades are mounted at the bar ends. You had better hope that that clutch works properly if that bar hits something. Personally I think that this rotten and potentially dangerous engineering.

[@scottmccluremcclure3916]

Put corn head Grease in the head and it will never run out

[@ronaldschatte1383]

@Phil Hall Extra Heavy Duty? I'm beginning maintenance on likely neglected family and purchased equipment.

[@asherdie]

Larger gear box more oil capacity, more heat capacity equaling longer bearing and seal life and possibly bigger gears, brush cutters by definition impact immovable objects, but physics is stupid. let's save a few hundred when buying a piece of equipment so we can spend it repairing it later. How often have you told your salesman "no, I don't need that 5 year 100,000 mile on my vehicle"

[@tomkeating65]

Better than a rotary mower would be a flail mower. They'll eat anything.

[@sslandservices7860]

China...shocker

[@oby-1607]

Lack of lubrication causes failure in most marriages. Oops, I meant gearboxes.