We've had good luck w/ our Deere (HX 15). Granted, all we mow is bar ditches, water ways, and some pasture.

I'm always seeing guys tear the living heck out of today's stout shredders.  Some people just do not understand that if the material is waaaay heavy, you need to slow down and/or maybe even raise up just a little bit.  To smoke today's heavy clutches is most of the time nothing more than operator error.

We used to have an old Caldwell 15' bat wing.  We got along with it ok, and did the usual maintenance.  After going to the [much newer] Deere, I couldn't believe how much heavier [duty] these things are !!  I know this is not news to most of you, but is was a pleasant surpirse to me..........