Rotary Cutter What size brush hog should I get?

[4570Man]

Is your tractor a b8200? I couldn't find anything on a b8600. Unless you have a loader or front ballast you won't be able to lift the cutter. I had a case 235 that couldn't run a 4 foot bush hog. I have a b7100 now. I haven't tried to bush hog with that tractor, but I don't think it would do any better. Most of these old small tractor don't have power steering (at least mine didn't). Adding front ballast gives you a real workout steering.

 

[mopower01]

I have turf tires on it, so the 4' would not cover the tracks. I have been keeping things knocked down with my finishing mower, but I have some jaggers that I would like to cut down. It is an 8200 (typo) and there is no FEL. I have been wanting to add a ballast box, but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[4570Man]

Does it have power steering? If not a ballast box heavy enough to do any good will make it difficult to steer.

 

[GManBart]

I ran a 5' cutter on a very early Ford 8N (late 1947 production) and that probably didn't have much more than 19hp at the PTO. It ran it just fine, but I wasn't trying to win a speed contest when I mowed. As mentioned, 4ft cutters can be hard to find, and more expensive than 5' models. You might consider buying a solid used 5' cutter, give it a whirl, and if you aren't happy, you'll be able to sell it easily.

 

[vsteel]

I run a 5 foot cutter behind a John Deere 2320 which has 18 PTO hp. I have no issues running it. As others said though I am not trying to win a speed contest. I can go through some pretty good stuff though and it doesn't have any issues. Really you could run a 5' and you would be fine you will just go slower in the really heavy stuff. The biggest thing is to make sure you keep the front tractor screen clean, for me anyway bush hogging always puts crap on the radiator intake. I have to stop every so often and clean it off.

 

[Teachu2]

The tractor I mentioned earlier was fine with a 5' on flat land, but the combination of 5' and hills proved too much even in 1L. I also added 180lbs of weights to the front to be able to choose direction of travel most of the time, and still used the steering brakes on occasion.

 

[tman1020]

A four footer will be faster and more efficient easier on the tractor and safer. Covering the tire tracks should not be as big of a concern if the 4 ' will still do the job faster with much less risk and abuse on tractor. Even if you get the five footer to safely fit and be able to steer you will be pushing your tractor to the absolute max constantly.