8' cutter on a 4340

[WEJ]

I had been wanting a new cutter for awhile now... but how big? I wanted one as big as I could handle. I have a 5' one, but it is too small. I had been looking at the 8' twin rotor ones, but everyone said it was too big for my tractor including the dealer. He suggested I bring by tractor over and see if I could pick it up without pulling the front wheels off the ground. The one he had was a C.H.E. Super 8. So that is what I did today. Yep, it could pick it up!!! And the Front end was still planted firmly on the ground. It weighs in at 1650!! The 4340 is almost maxed out but it does go up and stays there. Using it the field was fine. I pull it in 3 lo in the tall stuff, and take a full cut. No problem. I have included some pictures.....
I have also included a video on you tube. YouTube - Brush Hogging with My Montana

[JDeerekid]

Wow you are really moving along. What RPM are you running at?
The 4340 should have no problem lifting that with the right amount of weight in the front end. The 3pt hitch lift at ball ends is 3,197 lbs.
As for the 8ft brush hog I have also thought about getting one. My dealer had a 8ft bush hog (model 278) 2 blade that was offset which I thought would be nice for getting closer to the hedgerows and tree line so I dont scratch my tractor. It is 1100lbs. and says minimum 55hp. It had been sitting on the lot since last year so I thought I would get a good deal but before I could get up there it was sold. I am now going to purchase a 6ft bush hog as the cost of going to 8ft because they would have to order one would kill me and also I will be getting into some brush and I think the 8ft would be overkill for our tractor.
These little 4340's are awesome.

[WEJ]

Hey JDeerekid,

I am in low 3 at 540 on the power take-off If the grass would have been shorter I could have used low 4. Power was not the issue. The mower can not take tall grass like that any faster. So the limiting factor was the mower and not tractor HP. The mower weighs 1650 and that is ALL my three point hitch wanted. The override valve screams as it lifts, but it does lift and holds it without the screaming when up. As far as adding more weight on the front... I did not need any more. Everything is stable, up or down.

I hope this helps....