Need input on brush hog

[C-Range]

I had responded to your post (in another thread about cutters (which drifted into "where are Deere CUTs made...")). I wrote about how a small CUT can easily handle a 60" cutter.
Well, for the 2305, I retract that statement. Guess I didn't realize how small and light a 2305 was. More of a subCUT. Probably wouldn't hurt to extend your top link a few turns...
Interesting video, thanks for posting! Try cutting through brush as tall as your ROPS sometime.

Yes, the 2305 is smack dab in the SubCUT category. I think all of the 2000 series are Sub's. Not sure if the 3000's are too.

What would extending the top link do to help since there is one of those "H" brackets in the mix? I adjusted that thing ad nauseam to find the right spot for lift height vs cut height. I still don't quite understand what these mowers are specifically meant for but I suspect they are intended for flat ground. I don't have any flat ground to speak of so I'm constantly having to adjust the 3PH height to keep the front of the mower from gouging into the ground or being too high to cut. I bought some big casters to try putting on up near the front but haven't taken the plunge yet.

And as for cutting tall brush, I certainly have. I actually made an entirely new path through our woods with this mower and it was a cake walk. I just lift the deck, back over the brush, and slowly let it down. When I move away, there remains a nicely mulched & cleared patch, sort of like Pac-Man.

 

[teg]

You want some play in the top link, I don't even hook up my toplink anymore when mowing (binds up too much). The mower sticks out pretty far and when you drive across uneven terrain, it will let the mower follow the ground better, allowing it to expand and contract on dips and over bumps/hills.

OK Wagonguy... where's the photos?

 

[RalphVa]

You may be able to get a stump jumper. All they are is a piece of bent sheet metal that fits between the shaft flare and the bolts securing the flapper blades on the bush hog. Shouldn't be very expensive.

On the other hand, perhaps you can walk your land and determine that you don't have any stumps hidden in the weeds.

The slip clutch should help avoid any major damage if you do hit one. If you hit one with your tractor wheel, it could toss you though.

Ralph

 

[RoyJackson]

Yes, the 2305 is smack dab in the SubCUT category. I think all of the 2000 series are Sub's. Not sure if the 3000's are too.

What would extending the top link do to help since there is one of those "H" brackets in the mix? I adjusted that thing ad nauseam to find the right spot for lift height vs cut height. I still don't quite understand what these mowers are specifically meant for but I suspect they are intended for flat ground. I don't have any flat ground to speak of so I'm constantly having to adjust the 3PH height to keep the front of the mower from gouging into the ground or being too high to cut.

Raise your lower (draft) links until the side skirts (at the front end) are 2-3 inches off the ground. If your 2305 has some kind of position control (such as a lock or stop on your rock shaft lever), lock it at that position.
Lengthen your upper link until that "U" bracket is loose (the cutter's tail wheel will be on the ground bearing some of the cutter's weight). In use, the tail wheel should always be on the ground.
Try it like that...should work for you.
Where this will not work is where there is an abrupt change from level ground to sloped ground.
There are times I do the same as Teg...unhook the upper link altogether. Not for the whole area I cut, but it is pretty handy if you back up a slope or cross over an abrupt transition as I described above.

 

[C-Range]

That pretty much sounds like what I am already doing but I have to keep adjusting the 3PH height during use to keep the mower side skirts just above ground as my land is very uneven, not like a nice flat pasture.

The only position control or position lock on the 2305 is my right elbow.

Maybe I'll try dropping the upper link but I'm concerned about not being to pick the deck up quickly if I come across a rock or big stump. I would also lose the ability to "Pac-man" my way through dense brush (vertical bites).

Thanks for your input. Hopefully Wagonguy is soaking all of this up for his upcoming work.

 

[Dale1995]

I have a 2320 and just purchased a 48" frontier rotary cutter saturday, Paid $1200 dollars for it, but I had to put it together (which is no big job) Since they are shipped with no oil in the gearbox, I am debating on filling it with synthetic gear oil, hoping that it will let it run cooler. I figured a 5 footer might be a little large for the tractor. I haven't put it on yet but will let you know how it works out This also has slip clutch and chain guards!:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 2320 and just purchased a 48" frontier rotary cutter saturday, Paid $1200 dollars for it, but I had to put it together (which is no big job) Since they are shipped with no oil in the gearbox, I am debating on filling it with synthetic gear oil, hoping that it will let it run cooler. I figured a 5 footer might be a little large for the tractor. I haven't put it on yet but will let you know how it works out This also has slip clutch and chain guards!:thumbsup:

$1200 for a 48" cutter???
And you had to do the finish assembly???

Man, that's a lot of money for a 48" cutter!

 

[Dale1995]

yes that sounds like a lot of money... but we started at $1550.00 plus tax. I checked into a tractor supply model and a kodiak also. Yep they cost a little less, but neither one had any chain guards or slip clutch.....So by the time I got done comparing apples to apples there wasn't much difference in price, plus if I want any parts I know I will be able to get them ASAP. With my kodiak dealer it might take a while same with our Tractor Supply store (they just opened here 2 weeks ago) Besides I like green!

 

[Kevin M]

There is an old saying, you get what you pay for ! At least you know you have a quality product, and parts available.

 

[RoyJackson]

yes that sounds like a lot of money... but we started at $1550.00 plus tax. I checked into a tractor supply model and a kodiak also. Yep they cost a little less, but neither one had any chain guards or slip clutch.....So by the time I got done comparing apples to apples there wasn't much difference in price, plus if I want any parts I know I will be able to get them ASAP. With my kodiak dealer it might take a while same with our Tractor Supply store (they just opened here 2 weeks ago) Besides I like green!

As long as you're happy, we're happy for ya