Brush Cutter Size

[LD1]

it's a ground speed vs hp vs weight issue.

if you have enough weight to safely tote a 6' but hp is a lil lower than optimal.. then use a lower ground speed.

I use a 5' hog on a weak lil ford 8n.. it's not optimal at high speed.. but in 1st gear and max throttle I've mowed 7' tall weeds

soundguy

Yes, I too have used a 5' cutter with an 8n.

BUT the 8n is rated @ 27 PTO HP (not counting for a weak and worn engine).

But his tractor is only 22 PTO HP AND ~500lbs lighter. That is why I am suggesting a 48"-54" cutter. And 5' would be the absolute MAX I would personally want to run under optimal conditions. But definatally not a 6'er

 

[Verticaltrx]

Yes, I too have used a 5' cutter with an 8n.

BUT the 8n is rated @ 27 PTO HP (not counting for a weak and worn engine).

But his tractor is only 22 PTO HP AND ~500lbs lighter. That is why I am suggesting a 48"-54" cutter. And 5' would be the absolute MAX I would personally want to run under optimal conditions. But definatally not a 6'er

The problem with the 8n (and my NAA) is the high first gear. Even though my NAA has more hp than my B3200, there are occasions where the Kubota cuts better in the really tough/tall stuff. With the NAA you either have to make a pass with the cutter up higher, or only only take half a pass where as with the little kubota I can just chug along at a lower ground speed. As I said before, the design of the bush hog has a lot to do with how much hp it takes. With that said I agree 6' is too big, we use a 6' on a tractor with 40pto hp and it is none too large.

 

[Soundguy]

Yes, I too have used a 5' cutter with an 8n.

BUT the 8n is rated @ 27 PTO HP (not counting for a weak and worn engine).

But his tractor is only 22 PTO HP AND ~500lbs lighter. That is why I am suggesting a 48"-54" cutter. And 5' would be the absolute MAX I would personally want to run under optimal conditions. But definatally not a 6'er

a 9n and 2n are 23 pto hp and they tote a 5' cutter just about as good as an 8n.

heck.. I've seen guys with good gearing on asian tractgors make do with as lil as 17 pto hp on a 5' cutter, creeping along.

if it's much lighter I'd stick to 5.. weight makes for a safety issue with the tail wagging the dog so to speak.. i'd worry more about that than hp.

soundguy

 

[logan97]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at a 54" Woods Thursday, it was huge 2/3 the size of my B7800 w/FEL. I do not have any fields to mow. We have maybe an acre to maintain around blueberries and fruit tress. Also as mentioned plenty of briar's on maybe 7 to 10 acres. The place was logged 4 or 5 years ago. It all needs to be cleaned up and is 90% hills. A lot of the briar patches will need to be cut to enable us to get to the laps and usable fire wood. I am leaning toward a Woods 48" with a slip clutch.

Woods Equipment Company - BrushBull Extreme Standard-Duty Rotary Cutters

 

[LD1]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at a 54" Woods Thursday, it was huge 2/3 the size of my B7800 w/FEL. I do not have any fields to mow. We have maybe an acre to maintain around blueberries and fruit tress. Also as mentioned plenty of briar's on maybe 7 to 10 acres. The place was logged 4 or 5 years ago. It all needs to be cleaned up and is 90% hills. A lot of the briar patches will need to be cut to enable us to get to the laps and usable fire wood. I am leaning toward a Woods 48" with a slip clutch.

Woods Equipment Company - BrushBull Extreme Standard-Duty Rotary Cutters

Given this description and information re-affirms my suggestion. With no more than you have, and some briars here and there, I personally would look for smaller and heavier-duty rather than larger and medium-lighter duty. But again, just my :2cents:

 

[Glen Watkins]

I have a brush hog I used the first season to get my overgrown property in shape and they work well to beat the bush down to submission! From the second season on now that I have things trimmed back and manageable all I use now is a rear mounted finishing mower and the place looks like a big yard! Now my brush hog sits. It hasn't seen any use in two years. RFM is lighter faster and does a way better job than a brush hog.


http://www.woodsequipment.com/mowerdetail.aspx?id=9751&ekmensel=41a6502d_389_0_9751_7

 

[logan97]

I have a brush hog I used the first season to get my overgrown property in shape and they work well to beat the bush down to submission! From the second season on now that I have things trimmed back and manageable all I use now is a rear mounted finishing mower and the place looks like a big yard! Now my brush hog sits. It hasn't seen any use in two years. RFM is lighter faster and does a way better job than a brush hog.


Woods Equipment Company - Standard-duty RDC & RD Series 54? to 72?

maybe I should consider hiring out the Bush Hog work and getting a finish mower to maintain the long term work??

 

[Soundguy]

as long as you keep it cut, once you hog it once, you could finish mow it. however.. if you ever let it go.. it will work over a finish mower and be rough on them to beat back into submission.

perhaps find a used rough cutter on the cheap? and then get a finish mower?

soundguy

 

[buck12]

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at a 54" Woods Thursday, it was huge 2/3 the size of my B7800 w/FEL. I do not have any fields to mow. We have maybe an acre to maintain around blueberries and fruit tress. Also as mentioned plenty of briar's on maybe 7 to 10 acres. The place was logged 4 or 5 years ago. It all needs to be cleaned up and is 90% hills. A lot of the briar patches will need to be cut to enable us to get to the laps and usable fire wood. I am leaning toward a Woods 48" with a slip clutch.

Woods Equipment Company - BrushBull Extreme Standard-Duty Rotary Cutters

Don't worry about the briars. It has been my experience that cutting briars is less taxing on the tractor than thick grass. I think you could easily use a 5' RC. I use a 5' Rhino with 26 hp (23 at the PTO I think) with no problems.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you think you may be looking for a RFM later, try to find yourself a used (or new)light or medium duty bushhog. The gear drives are usually the same per size, just the frame and deck are of thinner gauge material. They will last you for several years before the rust out and by that time, you could look at a RFM for your maintenance of the area. When I got my first tractor, I bought a new 6 foot Howse light/medium duty and the gear box is rated at 65 hp but the deck is like 16 gauge metal. It only weighs about 500-600 pounds I use it with my 45Hp tractor and it will stall the tractor before shearing a pin. Cost me $600 new about 3 years ago. Now I am maybe looking for a 8 footer for my new tractor. The old Howse has shown some wear on the frame but I have cut 4" pine and sweet gum trees with it, basically anything I can push over with the FEL I run the mower over it. Used and abused, it is like a Timex, it takes a likin and keeps on tickin. I have gotten my money's worth for sure on that deal. Other consideration if you want wider, you can get a pull type. While not as easy to maneuver, they dont put the strain on your tractors 3 PH like the lift type AND they dont fluctuate up and down with the tractor so much.