HELP: Bushhog SQ720 vs International World Agritech 60"

[amc019]

Hello all,

I am not new to farming, nor agriculture in general as I spend most my time on a row crop farm, but I am struggling to make a decision between two bush hogs that we have on the family farm that I need to use to clean up our area around the house which has about half wooded areas that have some underbrush (saplings and such, occasional limb, granite rocks, few stumps/roots) and then normal pasture in the other half. I plan on thinning out the wooded areas over the next year to open it up some, but as of now I do take the time to remove the FEL off my 1999 Kubota L4310 that we keep on the property to get around and in between the trees some if that tells you anything.

Because of this situation, I have two bush hogs. One that is intended for brush and what I would consider "medium-duty" and the other that is light duty. I would like to use the smaller 60" medium duty in the wooded and rocky areas, and the 72" in the pasture. As of now, the medium duty does a better job cutting than the SQ720 at the same RPM (recommended PTO RPM on the tractor tach) no matter what the speed is (3rd gear, sometimes 4 if the grass is light). However, the 60" has a failing tailwheel, where the shaft on the wheel bracket itself is so warped on the top and bottom where it has worn out from too much slop in the yoke on the A-frame over the years (probably 20+) that the entire thing needs to be replaced. At times, the wheel will not pivot at all, and even get caught completely sideways and function as a plow, which makes the property look awful. However, I haven't been able to find parts for this mower anywhere, and I can't find a model number or exact make or year where I can even begin to call and ask anyone about it. I even looked at the tailwheel assembly on the SQ720 and it's not even close to swapping. Anyone know a brand that I could swap parts with for a reasonable price? Is the mower worth fixing in its current state? I couldn't find anyone making parts for this thing anymore after searching other threads about this unit.

Now onto the SQ720, It is in great condition, but I guess it needs new blades because it just kind of lays the grass over instead of creating a solid cut and chopping the cuttings up. It also has a gradual gear box leak coming from the output shaft seal ( I assume) under the mower. Not a big deal if I can just keep filling it up between uses unless it needs to be replaced immediately. However, will this unit hold up to mild brush cutting (1-1.5" max) if I only fix it and leave the 60" other brand as it is?

The 60" does not cover the full width of the L4310, but the 72" goes a few inches outside it. Doesn't really bother me either way if I get one of them running the way it is supposed to. Which one would would you get in tip-top shape to use? I don't really need both of them, so I will probably only pay to get the one I can get operating the way it supposed to the cheapest. I think the Kubota has 37.5 PTO HP so it should handle either unit perfectly, right? Both have slip clutches as well.

Thanks for any future tips and advise. Here are some pics of the units.

 

[bspeedy]

As the owner of an SQ600, I would spend the time and money on the SQ720. The other cutter doesn't look as heavy or strong to me. You will be able to get parts for Bush Hog brand cutters probably forever. Your 4310 will handle the 720 with no issue. Make sure your tires are set wide and be careful if / when lifting the cutter on slopes.

 

[merlynr]

I own a sq72 and it has been indestructible while hogging over small trees and hitting rocks,old tires,stumps etc. If I sharpen the blades it will mow like a lawn mower. My gearbox doesn't leak but someone else put gun grease in the gearbox of his rotary cutter to slow down the leak.

 

[amc019]

I own a sq72 and it has been indestructible while hogging over small trees and hitting rocks,old tires,stumps etc. If I sharpen the blades it will mow like a lawn mower. My gearbox doesn't leak but someone else put gun grease in the gearbox of his rotary cutter to slow down the leak.

What tractor do you use yours with?

Also, where would you recommend purchasing blades, or how do I know if they are worth resharpening?

 

[kebo]

As the owner of an SQ600, I would spend the time and money on the SQ720. The other cutter doesn't look as heavy or strong to me. You will be able to get parts for Bush Hog brand cutters probably forever. Your 4310 will handle the 720 with no issue. Make sure your tires are set wide and be careful if / when lifting the cutter on slopes.

I have an International Machinery World Agritech bush hog (model IM502) and it is a true medium duty mower. I would wager money that it's as every bit as strong as the SQ600 is. I bought it used and mine has never failed in the 7 years I have owned it, but not sure how old it is. I don't know how much it weighs, but the deck is made of substantial thickness steel and it is braced very well. The sides are made of 6" steel channel. The A frame for the 3pt and the frame for the tail wheel brackets are also made of some pretty stout bar stock. It's certainly a cut above the standard or light duty class of mowers (pun intended!).

 

[amc019]

I have an International Machinery World Agritech bush hog (model IM502) and it is a true medium duty mower. I would wager money that it's as every bit as strong as the SQ600 is. I bought it used and mine has never failed in the 7 years I have owned it, but not sure how old it is. I don't know how much it weighs, but the deck is made of substantial thickness steel and it is braced very well. The sides are made of 6" steel channel. The A frame for the 3pt and the frame for the tail wheel brackets are also made of some pretty stout bar stock. It's certainly a cut above the standard or light duty class of mowers (pun intended!).




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Where do you find parts for this mower? That is my only dilemma, as I would like to keep it around for the rough stuff.

 

[amc019]

Mounted up the SQ720 today to get underneath and see what the blades looked like, and they don't look to good. Should I just replace them? If so, will a local bush hog dealer have them or should I just go down to tractor supple to try to find some that match? I don't know if they are actually any better than the Bush Hog blades would be or not.

Also, the blade mount/stump jumper seemed to have a little play on the output shaft, is that normal?It doesn't seem to make much noise when cutting. Should I try to take the cotter pin out and tighten the nut some? If so, what size is the nut? 1-11/16's like the blade-bolts nuts?

I also noticed that SQ720 also has some play in the tailwheel shaft just like the International Machinery World Agritech unit, but not nearly as much. And I assume I can find parts for it fairly simply in the future if need be.

Sorry for the excessive questions, just want to get at least one of them ready for the next round of cutting.

 

[LD1]

Both mowers are light duty in my book. The Bushhog actually has a true stump jumper though, where as the IMC's typically just have a flat round blade carrier. Either will handle 1-1.5" stuff. But not much more without really making some racket and possible putting some dents in the metal.

Those blades you picture are perfect or cutting any of the saplings you have. You want blades not much sharper than that. Otherwise, if you cut saplings cleanly, and on an angle since they have to "lay over" to get under the cutter, when they spring back upright you end up with alot of little spears that will pierce right through a tire. Blunt blades shatter the saplings into splinters.

However, for grass and weeds ONLY, the sharper the better.

Blades can probably be had at dozens of places online. You can look up a bushhog part number, and search that. Or just measure them and find something that matches. I would look at getting blades that have a high lift wing / suction type, if they are available for whatever cutter you choose to use on the pasture. Makes a world of difference on grass.

As to the tailwheel, on the IMC, probably just a generic part. Google is your friend. Look up some tailwheel assemblies or tailwheel forks. Match something up to what you have

 

[kebo]

Where do you find parts for this mower? That is my only dilemma, as I would like to keep it around for the rough stuff.

So far have been fortunate to not need any parts. I think there is a place in Ohio that absorbed what was left of the International Machinery Corp and they have the left over parts inventory. I will have to dig back through some old emails and see if I can find it again.

 

[amc019]

Thanks guys. I am gunna go ahead and change the blades on the bush hog, and then when I have some time take the tailwheel frame and the wheel assembly to a fab shop and just have them fix what I have with a new tube for the fork and a new fork. The wheel itself seems fine.