What’s the Best Brush Hog Brand? A Breakdown of Top Rotary Cutter Manufacturers

If you’re shopping for a brush hog—also known as a rough cut rotary cutter—you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of brands out there. Some you've heard of, many you haven't. So which one is worth your hard-earned money? In this video, I respond to a viewer question about whether to invest in a name-brand rotary cutter or save a few bucks with a lesser-known model. The answer isn’t always simple, but there is a logical way to break it down.

We’re going to sort the brush hog landscape into three main categories:
1️⃣ The Market Leaders
2️⃣ The Strong Regional Players
3️⃣ The No-Name/Store Brands

🔝 Category 1: The Trusted Leaders
These are the brands that dominate the rotary cutter market and for good reason. They have solid reputations, deep dealer networks, and excellent parts availability. These companies have been around a long time and are likely to be around well into the future.

The five big names are:
Bush Hog
Rhino
Woods
Land Pride
John Deere

💡 Note: While John Deere makes premium cutters under their own name, many of their dealerships also carry the Frontier line—these are rebranded units made by other manufacturers, and I classify those under the second category.

🛠️ Category 2: Reliable Regional & Niche Brands
These manufacturers may not have the same brand recognition across the U.S., but they still produce mostly solid equipment. In fact, some of these cutters are built heavier and more rugged than some of the big brands!

They include:

Befco
Bush-Whacker
Farm King
Howse
Ironcraft (formerly Titan Implement)
King Kutter
Kodiak
Modern
Taylor Pittsburgh / Taylor-Way

Two specialty manufacturers in this category deserve extra attention:

Schulte – Targets municipal and commercial-grade mowing applications.
Brown Manufacturing – Known for producing one of the heaviest-duty cutters on the market, capable of handling trees up to 6 inches in diameter!

These brands may not have as widespread dealer networks, but in my experience, they hold their value well, are generally well-built, and parts support is usually available—especially if you're working with a good dealer.

⚠️ Category 3: The No-Names
These are the brands you’ll often find at local farm supply stores, hardware co-ops, or big box retailers. While they often carry an attractive price tag, you’re taking a risk with long-term durability, parts availability, and service support.

In many cases, these brands don’t even have a clear manufacturer behind them, and if something breaks, you’re often on your own. They may be fine for very light, infrequent use, but buyer beware—a catastrophic failure can be expensive and time-consuming to fix.

💭 So, Which One Should You Buy?
If your budget allows, stick with the top-tier brands in Category 1. They’ve stood the test of time, offer excellent resale value, and parts are easy to come by.

Category 2 cutters? In many cases, they’re just as good, and sometimes better, than the big names—but they lack the marketing and nationwide dealer footprint. If you can find one in good condition with support nearby, it could be a great deal.

But unless you’re just cutting a few weeds behind the barn, I’d recommend avoiding the no-names. The cost savings up front often doesn’t justify the headaches down the line.

👇 Your Turn!

What brand do you use? Have you had a good (or bad) experience with a specific cutter?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your take and so would others in the community.

👍 Don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and hit the bell icon so you don’t miss future content on tractors, implements, and rural living.

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