What size rotary cutter?

[coldstream]

The tractor is a B2920 with 21 PTO hp. Can I run a 5' brush hog or should I stick with a 4'? Thank for any info...

 

[Jerry/MT]

The tractor is a B2920 with 21 PTO hp. Can I run a 5' brush hog or should I stick with a 4'? Thank for any info...

What are you going to cut with it? My rule of thumb is 1 ft for every 5 pto HP but that's conservative. If you are just going to do grass you can probably use a 5 footer. If the grass gets to high, just cut a smaller swath or drop down a gear.

 

[MarkV]

For sure go with the 5'.

MarkV

 

[KU Gator]

I have a B2920 and a Bush Hog 5' Squeeler. I have cut some pretty tall stuff with it and it never bogs down. I would not want a 4' one as it would not extend past the wheels so getting next to something would be difficult as well as taking that much longer to mow. The dealer let me put the mower on the back of the tractor and try it before I bought it and he was also convinced it was the better size for the tractor. Bush Hog also makes a lighter duty version, I think called a razor back. Weight wise, it would probably be better, but clearly is not as heavy built, so I went with the Squeeler. Obviously there are other good brands out there such as Land Pride or Woods. With that said. It is a lot of weight sitting way back so makes the tractor feel bouncy so I usually leave the FEL on when using it. Also the 1/4" valve system used on this tractor for the 3pt hitch will let the front of the mower sag down gradually while you mow, so you have to remember to touch it back up every so often.

 

[neucam]

yes 5 ft, but you have to know what the cutting width actually is. I have a 55" deck that cuts 51 inches. My tractor only has 15 pto HP and it covers the rear tread and has plenty power for heavy grass and brush. But I go 2 to 3 mph normally, My ground is very uneven so 3-4 mph would be too fast.

 

[savageactor7]

If you're cutting fields I'd get the biggest one I could pull. We got a more nimble 4ft one to reduce scrub brush in our woods.

 

[RoyJackson]

I ran a 60" cutter behind a 17 PTO HP tractor through brush that was as tall as the cowl (or taller). You'll go slow, of course...but I'd definitely go for the bigger cutter.

 

[devildog1]

Go with the 5' footer you won"t be sorry, I ran a 5' Bush Hog Squealer behind a BX23 TLB. Worked very well on high weeds and tall grass with few small saplings. Now if you were planing on cutting much rougher stuff like thistles and saplings over 1 1/2" it would do it just go slower in low gear.
DevilDog

 

[Runner]

I run a 5 foot light duty cutter on a 21 PTO HP 2520 and it handles it fine. Need to have some front weight for counter-balance.

 

[MMagis]

“Heavy” grass must mean something different to everyone else. I use a 5’ on my Ford 3000, and in heavy grass I sometimes have to run it in 1st or 2nd to keep it from bogging. To me, tall isn’t heavy, tall and thick is. There’s no way a 20 hp tractor could run a 5’ mowing some of the fields I mow. It just depends on what you’re doing with it, and I haven’t seen that question answered yet.