May 2003
BID LIST
The Mowing and Trimming Class of 2003
by Kirk Landers, V.P./Editorial Director

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Manufacturers listed in this feature responded to a special mailing by Better Roads and do not necessarily represent the entire market for this product. 

Manufacturers have produced new and revised high-production mowers and trimmers at a brisk pace for the past two years.
Here’s a look at the new market.

Caterpillar
Tool carrier stable gets a rugged brushcutter

The newest addition to the family of approved attachments for the Caterpillar IT 14G tool carrier is a ruggedized brush cutter manufactured for Cat by Little Industries. The T-121C Brushcutter includes a fully welded box frame designed to provide rigid protection for hydraulic lines and the carrier. The frame has built-in parking stands and a quick-attach system designed for one-person attachment. It can be installed without modification to the carrier.

Booms are crafted from T1 steel and feature internal and external reinforcement plates and high-strength pivot pins. The cutting heads, cutting shafts, and rotary cutting discs are fabricated with T1 steel for severe duty performance and long service life. Rather than installing hydraulic lines inside the boom, the T-121C routes hydraulic lines externally, using extra-heavy-duty, thick-walled hydraulic steel tubing.

An electronic proportional valve allows four simultaneous boom functions which are controlled by an electronic joystick. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted on top of the booms to protect them from guardrails and roadside obstructions.

Bobcat
Cuts and mulches brush and thick grass

Bobcat’s 90-inch Brushcat rotary cutter attachment cuts and mulches small branches and samplings up to 3 inches in diameter, as well as cutting through thick grass. The company recommends the attachment for clearing ditches, power line access roads, trails, and construction sites. It can be operated in forward or reverse, and Bobcat says the flotation linkage allows the deck to float over ground contours, staying in contact with the surface for optimum performance.

Standard equipment includes dual spindles that drive two blades each, two front rollers, one full-width rear roller, two sump jumpers, and 3-inch-wide offset blades with a 2-inch cutting height. A patented blade shut-off system stops blade rotation when the cutter is raised off the ground.

The Brushcat is approved for use on 12 of Bobcat’s larger skid-steer, all-wheel-drive, and track-mounted loaders.

Woods Equipment
Flex-wing mower sports Series 3 upgrades

Woods has upgraded its venerable Batwing line of tractor-towed, flex-wing cutters with the introduction of the Series 3. Models 3180 and 2120 cut 180- and 122-inches wide, respectively, and now feature an improved gearbox, high-torque-capable drivelines, and high tip speeds. Woods claims the mowers deliver near finish quality cuts while slashing through brush up to 4 inches in diameter. The wing suspension has been re-engineered for improved reliability. The 3180 is compatible with 50-200 horsepower tractors. The 2120 is a 10-foot version of the 3180, designed specifically for roadsides; it is compatible with 40-200 horsepower tractors.

Schulte
Long arm makes for lower risk

Schulte’s new Flex Arm allows a tractor operator to travel on the road while his Schulte 10- or 15-foot rotary cutter mows the ditch slope. By keeping the tractor off the slope, says the company, the chance of a rollover is minimized and wear and tear on the tractor is reduced. The Flex Arm also enhances operator’s view of obstacles in front of the cutter. The Flex Arm’s two-point attachment to the cutter includes a strut that prevents the cutter from pivoting in relation to the arm; this allows the arm and rotary cutter to be easily backed up to cut around approaches and other obstacles.

Schulte says the Flex Arm is especially valuable when dealing with wet slopes, where the risk of rollover is highest. In addition to safety benefits, the arm keeps the tractor tires from packing down the wet grass in front of the cutters.

Tiger
Truck-based mower zooms to work

Tiger opened a completely new dimension in high-production mowing and trimming last summer with the introduction of the Truckat, a truck-based mowing rig with a boom-mounted cutter head. Six different cutter-head options are available, and the boom has a maximum horizontal reach of 21 feet. Equipped with a 50-inch rotary cutter, the Truckat can mow grass and trim trees without changing cutter heads.

Tiger says the unit can work at speeds up to 12 miles per hour in light cutting, compared to just 2 miles per hour for tractor-based units. It also gets to and from the jobsite faster than tractor-based units because it can travel at highway speeds. The company says studies have shown the unit to increase productivity by 53% compared to tractor-based units.

The Truckat is built on a 109-inch GMC W 5500 cabover chassis powered by a 175-horsepower turbo-diesel; it is a road-legal 96-inches wide. Its cab features a standard driver’s seat and control panel on one side, and an operator position on the other, complete with steering wheel and controls for the boom and cutter. The cutter operation is powered by an 80-horsepower diesel mounted in the Truckat bed.

Slashbuster

Slashbuster claims its XL 480SB is designed for the safety concerns of municipalities. Its patented safety shroud rotates at the push of a button to any position in its 180 degrees of rotation while actively mulching vegetation. The machine also features a patented third boom extension, which is said to provide the greatest reach available in its field. The extension adds an extra 8 feet of reach, as well as an integrated material handler that can clean ditches, pick up and move logs or boulders, and rake and pile debris or load it in a dump truck. The company says the material handler can sometimes be used to construct new ditches.

The XL 480SB uses a low-speed, high-torque cutting disk rather than the high-speed designs used in conventional grinders in order to eliminate safety problems with deflected debris. The low rotational speed also causes stumps to crack and decompose; the clean cuts of high-speed cutters, says Slashbuster, can produce more re-sprouting.

Dixon Industries
Seat suspension reduces fatigue

Dixon’s ZTR 8000 series mowers offer a choice between a 25-horsepower gasoline engine and a 26.5-horsepower diesel and either a 60- or 72-inch mowing deck. The hallmark of these mowers is what Dixon calls “big rig” seat suspension, a patented design that is said to give the operator an extra smooth ride, resulting in less stress and fatigue.

Other features of the ZTR 8000 series mowers include zero turning radius maneuverability, 11.5-gallon, saddle-bag style fuel tanks, 23-inch rear tires, and a top speed of 10 miles per hour. Options include a snow blade and ROPs canopy.

Alamo Industrial
Rugged mower cuts wide

Designed for productivity and durability, the new Stingray Flex-Wing Mower from Alamo Industrial is available in 10- and 15-foot cutting widths. It features a continuously welded seven-gauge steel deck construction from 0.1875-inch steel. Its round skid pan is said to allow for easy mowing over obstacles and helps prevent blade damage. Standard features include deck rings and double chain guards with cable intertwined for extra safety. Automatically adjusting floating wing frames are said to reduce wear and tear. Mower height can be adjusted hydraulically.

Kut-Kwick
Hard-to-reach slope specialist

The Kut-Kwick SuperSlopeMaster is designed for use on slopes up to 40 degrees that are unreachable by other mowers, according to the company. The hydrostatic mower is powered by a 38-horsepower diesel engine and two hydraulic pumps. It has a 72-inch cutting deck and a full rollover protection system. A patented seat design keeps the operator at or near level at all times. An operator safety switch causes the machine to shut down and dynamically brake if the operator leaves the machine for any reason.

The SuperSlopeMaster was designed for heavy-duty commercial and governmental applications. Kut-Kwik also markets a 24-horsepower gas-powered SlopeMaster, the 80-horsepower diesel-powered wide area RoadMaster, and the 80-horsepower diesel-powered BrushMaster for clearing brush and small trees.

Trackless Vehicles
Boom flail for compact hydrostatic tractor

The boom flail attachment for the hydrostatic Trackless MT cuts 51-inches wide and has a horizontal and vertical reach of 13.5 feet. It can be removed from the host machine in 10 minutes and another attachment installed.

The company claims the front-mounted boom delivers better visibility than side or rear-mount boom flails, resulting in less operator fatigue and safer operation. The hydrostatic drive of the Trackless MT also lets the operator control vehicle speed by pushing the pedal ahead or back to go or stop, letting the operator react quickly to obstructions and adjust speeds to constantly changing conditions.

Together, the tractor and boom flail weigh 7,400 pounds. The unit’s compact size makes transportation to and from the jobsite easy, and it is said to interfere less with passing traffic than larger tractor/mower combinations.

Geo-Boy
Brush cutting in a hurry

The Geo-Boy brush-cutter tractor is designed for clearing brush and small trees in difficult locations. The self-contained, highly maneuverable unit is powered by a diesel engine and features Fecon cutter heads. The company says it can be trailered without special permits. Features include a rear-view camera, a ROP/FOPS certified cab with climate control, and track mounting for extremely low ground pressure and a low center of gravity.

Brown Manufacturing
Heavy-duty cutter line gets bigger

Brown Manufacturing has introduced a new 84-inch cutting-width model to its 600 series of heavy-duty cutters. The new 684 can handle woody brush species up to 4 inches in diameter and has a cutting height range of 2 to 12 inches. Standard features include a 145-horsepower gearbox, a 1-inch-thick blade bar weighing 360 pounds with two 0.625- by 6-inch free-swinging blades, size 8 shielded drive line, and a four-disc slip clutch. It generates a blade tip speed of 17,803 feet per minute (202.3 mph) and weighs 2,200 pounds.

Encore
Lower profile and more features

Encore has given its Prowler Mid Cut a lower profile and added new features, including the company’s exclusive side-to-side articulating floating deck, no-slip disc brakes, and maintenance-free blade spindles.

Encore says its deck suspension allows both front wheels to maintain ground contact over uneven terrain, improving stability, smoothing out the ride, and reducing scalping. A pivot system between the deck and the main frame allows the deck to articulate side-to-side and up-and-down, keeping the front wheels on the ground even over ruts and bumps. Each side of the deck remains level with the ground, assuring an even cut.

Bobcat
High-performance mower attachment

The recently introduced 72-inch Bobcat mower attachment gives the company’s Toolcat utility machine and all-wheel-steer loaders the ability to be versatile grounds-maintenance machines. Designed for municipality applications, as well as landscapers and other grounds-keeping uses, the attachment is designed to operate in standard hydraulic flow mode. The free-floating deck has caster wheels in each corner, giving the mower the ability to follow ground contours. The caster wheels are adjustable, giving the operator a choice of cutting heights from 2 to 5.5 inches.

The mower’s hydraulic motor drives a single V-belt which drives three pulleys attached to the spindles. Bobcat says the design includes one blade per spindle with blade overlap to allow a clean cut on lawns and turf with no skips. The rear discharge has a solid deflector that directs grass clippings out and down, an advantage when working next to objects like streets, fences, buildings, and trees.

Progressive Turf Equipment
Finish-cutting for wide areas

Progressive Turf markets pull-behind rotary finishing mowers that range in size from 10 to 36 feet in cutting width. They are used for general grounds care and for municipal applications involving wide areas when a high-quality finished cut is required.

Shindaiwa
Versatile trimmer converts to brush cutter

Shindaiwa designed the 24.5-cc, 1.1-horsepower T2500X trimmer for the demands of commercial markets. Its 4-cycle engine is said to combine the best features of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines alike. Like a 2-cycle, says Shindaiwa, it is light, has excellent throttle response, and can operate in any position. Like a 4-cycle, it is quiet, fuel-efficient, and produces high torque. It burns a 50:1 fuel mix.

The T2500X can also be fitted with a brush cutter blade without modification. According to company sources, a specially designed front handle called a barrier bar, along with blade holders, combination debris shield, and strap allow end-users to safely set up the unit with either a trimmer head or brush cutter blade.

Handy Hitch
Hitch keeps the tractor out of the ditch

Handy Hitch makes an offset attachment for use with any 10- or 15-foot rotary mower. The “ditch” hitch allows the tractor to travel on the level road or shoulder while the mower travels on the slope of the ditch. The major benefit, says the company, is safety: less chance of rollover, and better chance to avoid obstacles, thanks to a better line of sight to what is in front of the mower.

In wet mowing conditions, the offset hitch means the tractor tires don’t flatten the grass in front of the mower. Handy Hitch says the ditch hitch and rotary mower are able to reach into the bottom of ditches with standing water to cut bulrushes, thanks to a skid plate option.

The low-maintenance unit has two 180-horsepower gearboxes, two drivelines, and two hubs. New this year is a left-hand pull model.

Brown Manufacturing
Controls brush with a killing cut

The Brown Brush Monitor modifies a 6-foot heavy-duty rotor cutter with three herbicide application chambers to create a system that applies herbicide to the stubble as it cuts. The cut biomass is discharged out the left rear corner of the cutter deck. Directly behind the cutter deck are three hinged herbicide spray chambers that apply herbicide onto a scarifier plate and a 5-inch brush that literally brushes the herbicide onto the cut stubble. Brown says that by targeting the herbicide to the stubble, the user can achieve 85 to 90% control of the brush.

Brown says wind drift of the herbicide is almost nonexistent due to the design of the spray chambers. The self-contained system includes two deck-mounted herbicide tanks and a 12-volt pump; controls are mounted in the tractor cab.

Franklin Equipment
Moves light and takes a big bite

Franklin Equipment says its three-model Environmental Brush Cutters line features easy turning with less ground disturbance than track-mounted machines. The four-wheel C4550 and C4940 have lock-in/lock-out differentials, front and rear, while the three-wheel C3650 features full counter-rotation steering and a zero turning radius for jobs requiring great maneuverability. Engine ratings range from 185 to 260 horsepower, and the standard hydraulic system can handle high-flow contained-debris attachments without modification.

Walker Manufacturing
74-inch cutting deck for mid-size tractors

Walker Manufacturing says its 74-inch, DSD74 side-discharge deck is the largest cutting deck available for mid-size tractors. The four-bladed design, Walker’s first, retains many of the features found on the company’s gear-driven decks. The company claims the narrow tunnel design of the in-line, timed blades offers a true finish cut, aids in scalp resistance, and produces a powerful, clean discharge pattern. The deck tilts up for maintenance.

Exmark
Zero-turn mower has 11-mph top speed

Exmark’s Lazer Z XP is a mid-mount, zero-turn riding mower available with 60-inch or 72-inch decks. It can be powered either by a three-cylinder, 27-horsepower diesel, or a 31-horsepower gasoline engine; the latter is available on 72-inch models only. Exmark says the unit’s “up-top” radiator positioning draws the cleanest, coolest air possible, enhancing engine life. Liquid-cooled engines deliver reduced engine noise and lower operating temperatures. In addition to true zero-turn capabilities, the machine can travel at speeds up to 11 miles per hour.

Asplundh
Right-of-way trimmer rips and reaches

Asplundh designed its Right-of-Way Trimmer to cut roadside brush and trees from a variety of ground surfaces. The machine is powered by a 215-horsepower diesel engine and travels on low-ground-pressure tires. Its cutter uses seven circular saw blades that can cut at two different angles simultaneously and it can reach a height of 30 feet. Safety features include double-locked blades, ROPs cab, and a dielectric boom.

Echo
New engine powers commercial-grade trimmer

Echo’s new commercial-grade SRM-260 trimmer features a new 25.4cc, hard-chromed cylinder engine with fully caged needle bearings and a forged steel connecting rod. Echo says the engine represents advances in power, durability, fuel consumption, emissions, and performance. Variable slope timing is said to assure fast starts and smooth engine acceleration, while a debris shield with built-in cut-off knife ensures optimal line length. The heavy-duty gear case features sealed bearings to prevent contamination from moisture and dust.

Toro
“Out-front” deck enhances visibility

Toro’s new Groundsmaster 4100D uses a 60-horsepower turbo diesel to power a 10.5-foot-wide cutting width. Toro says the all out-front deck gives the operator superior visibility, maneuverability, and quality of cut. The mower features full-time four-wheel drive, zero turning without the use of wheel brakes, and more torque than other mowers in its class.

Hustler
Extra stability for “hillside” design

Hustler claims its 6400 Hillsider, equipped with a 72-inch deck, exceeds ANSI static stability requirements on 40-degree slopes. The machine features a wide stance with six-wheel-drive, a self-leveling cab with certified roll-over protection, and a special “turning mode” which allows it to make zero-degree turns without scuffing the turf. Hustler recommends the machine for roadside and interchange mowing. In winter, it can be outfitted with a dozer blade, V-blade, or a 60-inch, two-stage snowthrower for snow removal.

Kubota Tractor
Faster cutting, less noise

Kubota’s new ZD-Pro Deck is a shaft-driven, low-noise design available in 60- or 72-inch widths; it can be matched with Kubota’s ZD21 or ZD28 zero-turn mowers. The seven-guage steel deck is 5.5-inches deep, allowing more airflow circulation through the blades than previous designs, enabling a higher quality cut at a faster rate. Kubota claims the machine’s “cut and re-cut” system provides smaller grass clippings and generates a cleaner appearance than “cut and throw” systems. The cutting height can be adjusted from 1 to 5 inches in half-inch increments.

DewEze
Slope mower generates more power

DewEze says its newest slope mower, the ATM-72LC, represents another advance in power and performance thanks to a new 30-horsepower, liquid- cooled diesel engine, a hydraulic deck lift system, and comfortable seating. Blade drives, power steering, propulsion, and automatic leveling are all controlled by low-maintenance, beltless hydraulic systems. The company says its hydrostatic drive and power steering give the machine steering precision and make it easy to operate.

Alamo Industrial
Cuts brush in a 7.5-foot swath

Alamo Industrial’s BuzzBar Tree Limb Cutter features four 26-inch, high-speed circular sawblades that slice through tree limbs up to 4 inches in diameter, and leave a smooth, finished cut. It is powered by a 38-horsepower hydraulic motor, with power transferred to the blades by three Micro-V belts that attach to the rear of the cutter to reduce chances of entanglement.

The BuzzBar cuts a 7-foot, 6-inch-wide swath and can be mounted to any of the company’s booms which range from 17 to 28 feet in reach.

Reprinted from May 2003 Better Roads Magazinne