Brush hog size

[jester7891]

October 23, 2007

I have a Kubota B7610 24 horsepower hydrostatic tractor for my property/27 acres woods, meadows, and grass. There are a number of meadows that have not been cut in many years and I want to buy a brush hog (I will eventually put in an apple orchard). I seem to be getting conflicting information regarding the size of the Hog I should be buying. Some people believe that the 5 foot hog is too big for my machine (that the weight may be too much for my machine). Others feel very comfortable with the 5 foot machine on a 24 horsepower tractor. They also point out that the 5 footer is obviously bigger and is as wide as my back wheels which should make the job easier. So the question is if a 4 foot or 5 foot brush hog should be bought. I would also appreciate any information on which brand you think is the best - as usual I need to balance performance with cost. I would rather use a sheer pin as opposed to the slip clutch; simpler is better for me. Thanks for the information.

 

[caddelma]

I have a 7510 and use a 5-foot brush hog without issue. I have a few less HP, but have not had any issues. Per Kubota, the 7510 is rated for 4-foot, the 7610 is rated for 5-foot. I would get the 5-footer myself, unless you are going through some heavy brush or getting an extremely heavy model.

 

[madpogue]

Is that 24 HP at the crank or at the PTO? If the latter, you're right there with a 5' cutter. The "orthodoxy" is 5 HP per foot diameter, but our JD 790, 24 PTO HP, turns a 5' King Kutter without breaking a sweat. As hinted above, a light-duty cutter like a KK will do, and weight-wise, IIRC, the Kubotas actually have a higer 3pt weight capacity than the Deeres. Ours is 850-ish lb, and the KK weighs in at 500 and change. I recall the 'Botas of similar size having a 3pt limit of 1000 lb or more.

 

[kossetx]

I have a 25hp at the engine tractor, so 20 at the pto. In 15 years I never thought my 5' shredder was too big for it. I bought a Howse brand shredder because I was also worried about the weight on my tractor. Again, 15 years of land clearing abuse and no complaints about the Howse. It is bowed on the sides and I've had to weld it a few times, but it keeps on mowing. The KK brand is still light and looks a little more resistent to bowing.

Good luck. MP

 

[EastTexFrank]

I don't know about those newer fangled models but my B2400 is rated for a 4' bush hog. On level ground and not too thick grass it might handle a 5 footer but on my slopes it sometimes struggles going uphill with the 4' cutter. It certainly wouldn't handle any thing bigger under those circumstances. So, I think I'd say that a 4' cutter will be easy and a 5' one could be marginal depending on circumstances. I don't know if that will be any help at all.

 

[Bob_Young]

EastTexFrank is right.

I have a B7610 and the max. cutter size recommended in the Owner's manual is 4 ft. I had a 48" King Kutter (XB Series) that I used behind it for a few hours. Found that bush hogging with the B7610 was impossibly slow and sold the KK so I could buy a new 5 foot Woods for one of my larger tractors.

The B7610 did handle the 4' XB cutter well, it seems made for that size tractor. Pins are low enough so that the tractor could lift the cutter OK, PTO shaft was just the right length, and the B7610 had enough power. Though I left the FEL on when hogging with it, I think it could've been removed without getting the 7610's front too light.

What made it so slow was:
1) Counting overlap, you're only cutting about 3'6" per pass
2) The small wheels on the B7610 jostled me around so much on rough ground that it forced me to slow down for comfort's sake. This wasn't plowed ground or anything, just a bit hummocky like unimproved ground usually is. So, even though the rig could've cut faster, the comfort factor kept speeds down.

I won't even try using the B7610 on the new 5 footer (Woods BB60). Probably couldn't if I wanted to.
1) Pins are too high. 3PH wouldn't have much lift once connected
2) Pins are probably too wide to hook up easily, might have to face them inwards. Hookups would be a PITA.
3) Might have to trim PTO shaft, it seems too long for the 7610's tight geometry.
4) Weight is too great. Even if doesn't lift the 7610's front wheels off the ground, the tail would be wagging the dog and I don't like that feeling when maneuvering on grades or near obstacles.
5) Limited utility. Wouldn't expect it to do much more than keep an area that's already been cut, trimmed. As far as wading into thick 4 foot high orchard grass (or whatever) and expecting to take a full bite, I'd probably be down to a crawl and hammering the tractor. A 7610 is too nice a tractor to treat like that.

If you're determined to go with a 5 footer, and I can understand why you would be, look for an old Ford 8N or 2000. They're the perfect size tractor for a 5 footer.
FWIW
Bob

 

[Farmerford]

Like EastTexFrank, I have a Kubota B2400 HST with (I think) about 18 pto hp. I use a Bush Hog Squealer 480 mower (48") and it seems a good balance. I think the B2400 would handle a 60" Squealer, but only at a reduced ground speed in heavy grass and weeds. So I am not sure a 60" mower will cover more ground than a 48" mower since speed would be reduced. I have to mow close to trees and in tight places, so I actually prefer the mower a few inches narrower than the wheels. It seems to keep me from banging up the trees as much with the mower.

 

[DonT-B7500]

I have a B7500 with a 48" woods BH, I think this is the right size if you have any type of hilly terain, even with the FEL on the BH tends to want to stear the tractor from behind and pull the front up when going up hills. I don't really have a HP problem, more just the weight of the BH, I think mine is close to 500#. Size wise the 7610 is the same machine, just a little more HP

 

[Tororider]

I think part of the size you get depends on what you are cutting. If you are going to be cutting a bunch of 1-2" trees you may find that a 5 footer is too big, but maybe not. But I do think that what it is going to be used for should be considered. If you are just going to be cutting high weed and grass growth I don't see why a 5 footer would be too big as long as, as others have suggested, you don't get one that is too heavy.

My opinion is always get as big as you can because if you don't you will regret getting something that you find out is too small.

You also may want to look into getting your HP tuned up, I have posted another link about upping HP and in your case, a few extra hp, if possible on your machine, would probably make your decision easier.

 

[RobJ]

I would get the 5footer, light duty if you are concerned about the weight. I have a 4'bh that can with mine and it works ok, but on plain grass I think a 5' would be better because of the faster blade tip speed. I use mine in the woods a lot and it is nice to have the BH just less then the tire width.

I use the FM for any nicer cutting.

good luck,
rob