Hardee rotary cutters / offset RCs

[TRUCK3]

Hello, looking to upgrade my BX to at least a standard L. I bought my BX2680 used in 2022. I was initially looking at the B models, 2601 or 2650, but all I could find that I thought weren't inflated by Covid/lack of new tractors, were the BXs. Actually have been impressed with the BX, does a lot of work for its size, just too small for what I'm looking for long-term. So I'm looking at the standard Ls and I recently came across the L3560, which I like on paper, need to find one to look at.

Issue with any of these is that the rear wheel/tire spacing puts the tractor at about 5 ft. wide, maybe even 62-64". So for a 5 ft rotary cutter, at best you cover your tracks, or a 5ft is short by a few inches. I wanted to try out a larger compact tractor, only option local was a Bobcat CT2035. I rented one with a 5 ft cutter for two days. I like the overall sizing, but I didn't like any cutting width outside of the rear tires, say on field edges.

There are some 5.5 ft RCs like the Bush Hog BH116 at 68 in, but these are 1" cutters. I'm looking for a 2" rated cutter. It's not that I'm cutting 2" material all the time, but if I want to push back field edges or cut some trails, I'm going to run into (literally) some bigger material and I think I'll just beat up a 1" over time.

I'm not really interested in a 6 ft cutter, just too big overall. So I was researching online to see if anyone made an offset RC and found the Hardee cutters out of SC. I'm in upstate NY, so on the northern edge of their dealer so probably why have never run across them.

They have their HD1000 series, which includes an offset 5 ft and also a 5.5 ft cutter, both of which seem to be in the 2" capacity range, actually a bit on the heavy side for other 5 ft. 2" RCs I've run across. The Hardee's are 7 ga construction, most of the 2" RCs are 10 ga, which probably explains the extra weight.

I'd probably go with a 5 ft offset model, like the 1060R, it would give me more cutting width outside of the right tire than the 1066 and is almost 100 lbs. lighter. The 1060R model seems to be just what I'm looking for.

So wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the Hardee RCs or if there are any other offset RCs out there. I'd probably have to go south, at least to PA for one, new or used, but that's not a big deal. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[McMXi]

In a perfect world we'd not be driving over what we're about to cut, but that Hardee looks good. Have you considered a flail with offset feature? They're lighter, need less PTO hp, are closer to the rear of the tractor etc.

1060R Hardee by EVH Manufacturing Company | United States

All cutters are equipped with Heavy Duty 540 RPM 90 H.P. Gearbox, Round Blade Carrier, Shielded Drive Shaft with Slip Clutch, Rubber Shielding (front and rear), Laminated Tail Wheel, and Replaceable Skid Shoes. Sturdy 7 ga welded deck and sides.

www.hardeebyevh.com

Offset Flail Mower Del Morino Funny Top

A great entry point to a 3-Point, offset flail mower, the Funny Top comes in four widths, offsets 8 inches, and is available with Y-Blades or Hammer Blades.

www.goodworkstractors.com

 

[TRUCK3]

Regarding the flail option, I have given it some consideration. I'm actually running an Ironcraft FL-135 on my BX since 2023. In hindsight, I would have got a 4 ft RC, at least vs a light duty flail. Three aspects I like about the flail, one the offset, two it won't throw anything like an RC might. I've hit my share of rocks, and it just keeps "pushing" them forward at the front of the mower until you lift up the cutter and go over the top of them. I've also jammed up the rotor a couple times when I ran over a short section of probably 3" diameter broken branch that I didn't see. Finally, even though it is an economy flail, it is stout. I've used a lot over a variety of conditions, etc. and other than the paint wore off the rear roller and maybe one spot where the shroud has a very minor dent. you would think it was new, and I think it sat outside at the dealer during Covid for probably 2 years since I bought it in 2023 and it is marked 2021 date of manufacturer.

At least with these light duty flails, they only have narrow "windows" where they work well in my experience, especially with the Y-blades. With the Y-blades, heavy grass that I couldn't get to due to wet weather, it will bog down, even if I slow down to close to a crawl or take less than a full width, second issue I've run into is that if there are some taller weeds where the stems have gotten woody, the Y-blades won't cut them all on one pass.

The hammer blades have better overall performance and due very well in light brush. Problem is that if grass becomes significant, cut grass starts to build up on the hammer blades. I timed it and on this small 52" flail, it is about 1hr 20 minutes for me to swap out blades, that's not something I want to be doing routinely.

Given the maneuverability, offset, and safety, I'd like to go with a flail with the upsized tractor I'm planning to buy. My perspective from using the FL-135 and doing some research, a heavier-duty flail will have Y-blades and hammer blades that will weigh more, which I think is a key factor limiting the performance of a light duty flail. Problem is, I really don't like the idea of taking a chance buying a another flail. The Hardee offset RC has about the same amount of offset as a fixed flail. An adjustable offset flail will be more $$ and will make the mistake more costly if I decide I don't like the performance.

Overall I really like the performance of the 5 ft RC on the Bobcat CT2035 I rented. I moved along at 4 +/- mph in relatively heavy grass, about as fast I want to mow. And although I read many comments, advertisements, etc. that the flail will deposit the cut grass better, I thought the RC was fine in that area and I know from experience that you have to be in more ideal conditions to get the even distribution with the flail. I also used the RC in some overgrown areas, probably 1/2" to 1.5" saplings and it did very well.

The offset Hardee would address the offset issue and I didn't find the 5 ft RC too big from a maneuverability standpoint. So the only issue I would need to pay attention to is the safety aspect. I normally don't mow with anyone around and I would need to ensure that would be the case. I do mow up against some roadways, fortunately lightly traveled. I would need to look into guarding and height of cut in more detail to investigate what the hazard is and could I mitigate it at all.

 

[SDT]

Hello, looking to upgrade my BX to at least a standard L. I bought my BX2680 used in 2022. I was initially looking at the B models, 2601 or 2650, but all I could find that I thought weren't inflated by Covid/lack of new tractors, were the BXs. Actually have been impressed with the BX, does a lot of work for its size, just too small for what I'm looking for long-term. So I'm looking at the standard Ls and I recently came across the L3560, which I like on paper, need to find one to look at.

Issue with any of these is that the rear wheel/tire spacing puts the tractor at about 5 ft. wide, maybe even 62-64". So for a 5 ft rotary cutter, at best you cover your tracks, or a 5ft is short by a few inches. I wanted to try out a larger compact tractor, only option local was a Bobcat CT2035. I rented one with a 5 ft cutter for two days. I like the overall sizing, but I didn't like any cutting width outside of the rear tires, say on field edges.

There are some 5.5 ft RCs like the Bush Hog BH116 at 68 in, but these are 1" cutters. I'm looking for a 2" rated cutter. It's not that I'm cutting 2" material all the time, but if I want to push back field edges or cut some trails, I'm going to run into (literally) some bigger material and I think I'll just beat up a 1" over time.

I'm not really interested in a 6 ft cutter, just too big overall. So I was researching online to see if anyone made an offset RC and found the Hardee cutters out of SC. I'm in upstate NY, so on the northern edge of their dealer so probably why have never run across them.

They have their HD1000 series, which includes an offset 5 ft and also a 5.5 ft cutter, both of which seem to be in the 2" capacity range, actually a bit on the heavy side for other 5 ft. 2" RCs I've run across. The Hardee's are 7 ga construction, most of the 2" RCs are 10 ga, which probably explains the extra weight.

I'd probably go with a 5 ft offset model, like the 1060R, it would give me more cutting width outside of the right tire than the 1066 and is almost 100 lbs. lighter. The 1060R model seems to be just what I'm looking for.

So wanted to see if anyone has any experience with the Hardee RCs or if there are any other offset RCs out there. I'd probably have to go south, at least to PA for one, new or used, but that's not a big deal. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I would not buy an offset rotary cutter for muiltiple reasons.

In order to cover the tire tracks, I would buy a light duty 6' rotary cutter and make do.

No direct experience with Hardee but have heard of them.

 

[McMXi]

Regarding the flail option, I have given it some consideration. I'm actually running an Ironcraft FL-135 on my BX since 2023. In hindsight, I would have got a 4 ft RC, at least vs a light duty flail. Three aspects I like about the flail, one the offset, two it won't throw anything like an RC might. I've hit my share of rocks, and it just keeps "pushing" them forward at the front of the mower until you lift up the cutter and go over the top of them. I've also jammed up the rotor a couple times when I ran over a short section of probably 3" diameter broken branch that I didn't see. Finally, even though it is an economy flail, it is stout. I've used a lot over a variety of conditions, etc. and other than the paint wore off the rear roller and maybe one spot where the shroud has a very minor dent. you would think it was new, and I think it sat outside at the dealer during Covid for probably 2 years since I bought it in 2023 and it is marked 2021 date of manufacturer.

At least with these light duty flails, they only have narrow "windows" where they work well in my experience, especially with the Y-blades. With the Y-blades, heavy grass that I couldn't get to due to wet weather, it will bog down, even if I slow down to close to a crawl or take less than a full width, second issue I've run into is that if there are some taller weeds where the stems have gotten woody, the Y-blades won't cut them all on one pass.

The hammer blades have better overall performance and due very well in light brush. Problem is that if grass becomes significant, cut grass starts to build up on the hammer blades. I timed it and on this small 52" flail, it is about 1hr 20 minutes for me to swap out blades, that's not something I want to be doing routinely.

Given the maneuverability, offset, and safety, I'd like to go with a flail with the upsized tractor I'm planning to buy. My perspective from using the FL-135 and doing some research, a heavier-duty flail will have Y-blades and hammer blades that will weigh more, which I think is a key factor limiting the performance of a light duty flail. Problem is, I really don't like the idea of taking a chance buying a another flail. The Hardee offset RC has about the same amount of offset as a fixed flail. An adjustable offset flail will be more $$ and will make the mistake more costly if I decide I don't like the performance.

Overall I really like the performance of the 5 ft RC on the Bobcat CT2035 I rented. I moved along at 4 +/- mph in relatively heavy grass, about as fast I want to mow. And although I read many comments, advertisements, etc. that the flail will deposit the cut grass better, I thought the RC was fine in that area and I know from experience that you have to be in more ideal conditions to get the even distribution with the flail. I also used the RC in some overgrown areas, probably 1/2" to 1.5" saplings and it did very well.

The offset Hardee would address the offset issue and I didn't find the 5 ft RC too big from a maneuverability standpoint. So the only issue I would need to pay attention to is the safety aspect. I normally don't mow with anyone around and I would need to ensure that would be the case. I do mow up against some roadways, fortunately lightly traveled. I would need to look into guarding and height of cut in more detail to investigate what the hazard is and could I mitigate it at all.

Looks like you have a lot of experience and have put a great deal of thought into this.

I'm a fan of using flails and have a Del Morino Centurion Super 158. In many ways I wish I had an even bigger flail to run behind the M6060 since my only gripe with the 158 is the cutting width. I cut this overgrown pig field down to a lawn in no time at all, even with the vegetation being taller than the cab in places.

I think flails are less likely to get damaged compared to rotary cutters so they're great if cutting an unknown area where hard objects might be buried in the vegetation.

 

[NCL4701]

There’s a fair amount of Hardee products in this area. They have a reputation for producing high quality implements.

Only direct experience I have with them was using one of their box blades on one of my then employer’s tractors to grade a few gravel parking lots and driveways probably 20 years ago.

No experience with their rotary cutters.