What size brush hog?

[djg]

I just bought a 15HP Kubota 4WD tractor. It has 12.5 PTO HP. What size brush hog can it handle? I need to mow 2 acres of neglected farm field that is now the back half of my lot. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bird]

David, I think (not absolutely sure) that Kubota recommends only up to a 42" brush hog; however . . ., what kind of growth does that neglected field have? Just weeds and grass? Small saplings? 1", 2", 3" diameter. Personally, I'd probably go with a 4' (48") brush hog. If the growth is too heavy, overlap more; i.e., only cut half or two-thirds of the mowers width at a time, or simply drive slower. I used a 4' Bush Hog brand on my B7100 with 16 engine and 13 PTO hp and usually cut full width at a time.

 

[djg]

Bird, that's what I thought, based on my studies here at TBN. There is this nice looking 60" hog on Ebay that looks like it will go pretty cheap and is real close by, but I guess it is just too big for me. I hope to put in prairie type plants in the field after I clear it, and these require a yearly mowing. Right now there are some small trees, mostly evergreens, and 2' weeds. I was hoping to uproot these trees if my tractor will do it. Do you have any thoughts on that? Thanks.

 

[Bird]

Yeah, David, I'd not want a 60" brush hog for that tractor. As for uprooting small trees, it just depends on the type of tree (or rather type of roots) and type and moisture of soil. I've been surprised by how easy some came out and how hard others were to get out. I have pulled a few with a chain or cable, I've pushed some over with the front end loader 2 or 3 feet off the ground, then backed up and put the bucket under the roots and pushed forward and upward at the same time and took them out that way, and some just simply defied my efforts.

 

[OhioGuy]

Hey David,
I have a Ford 1220 that I'm running a 4 foot King Kutter Brush Hog on. I really wanted to buy a 5 footer and the guys at TSC suggested I COULD probably handle it, but I went with a 4 footer. It was a better choice for an 18HP tractor.

I bought a Woods RM59 finish mower but was really lusting for a 72 inch, the 60 inch was a better choice for the 18HP Ford. It discharges the grass a mile, the 6 footer, well, I don't know, I haven't tried one yet....

This is probably a poor generalization but....
The 5 foot hog covers 20% more ground but the 4 foot hog has 20% more HP to do the same job....

I have this belief that any implement you buy at the right price, can't be a mistake, someone else will always be willing to take it off your hands!

Good Luck to you!
Curt

 

[djg]

Thanks for your help. I will wait for the right one to come along.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a 6' towable Swisher that I used to use with a bigger tractor. With my 18 hp (pto) I can start the blades or the tractor, but not both at once. You might get a 5' spinnin' usin' that method, but it's tough on the tranny. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Tom_H]

I have a 42" GearMore heavy duty rotary cutter which is perfectly matched to my BX2200. I have to respectfully disagree with others who have suggested larger sizes for you. I do not believe the BX1500 has the necessary hp to drive them well. A good match for a BX1500 would be either of these Howse 36" rotary cutters:

Howse 36" Light Duty Rotary Cutter

Howse 36" Medium Duty Rotary Cutter