Brush hog advice

[greg_g]

Too bad they are not sold in my area. Called the factory, they gave me the distributor, who gave me the nearest dealer, and they said they do not stock any, and wanted to sell me a king kutter, or woods.

You're not going to do a lot of MA bush-hogging this time of year anyway. So order one, and pick it up in the spring. I drove 150 miles to get my Kodiak, didn't give the distance a 2nd thought.

//greg//

 

[idaho2]

Stevewatr,

Kodiak builds the Mahindras, same mower with both names on it! I have a 10' pull type and use it with my 5530 4 wd Mahindra. No dealer in your area check them out in the Mahindra section.

Idaho2

 

[LD1]

I also 2nd the comment about you making this too hard on yourself.

It doesnt sound like you will be bushhogging day-in and day-out.

And since spring is still quite a few months away, you have pleanty of time to shop c-list for good used deals.

And if you really want to spend 2k+ and get a new top-of-the-line unit, more power to you. But IMO, I think it is foolish. Good medium to light duty cutters are a dime a dozen on c-list. And even if it only lasts a couple of years, you got your moneys worth out of it.

Personally, if I were you, I'd budget about $200 and pick one up on c-list and go from there. Because who knows, you might only be using it for the first year of two and decide to keep it all finished mowed. And then you'll think about that $2k you spent on a cutter that dont get used anymore.

 

[Soundguy]

FWIW #2 -I personally consider the 29hp Ford PTO rating to be less reality than it is marketing
FWIW #3 - even though I respect SoundGuys Ford experience, most folks do not transport their TPH rotary cutters with the (laminated) tail wheel(s) on the ground. So I maintain that a 1200# implement on the back of your non-loader equipped tractor is excessive - from the standpoint of (s) transporting, and (b) cresting slopes while mowing.

//greg//

have you actually operated a 1920? they fit some good size ponies in that 4 cyl.. IMHO.. it's underrated if anything..

and no.. I don't normally 'transport' a mower lifted, except to clear an obstacle. toting something like that lifted is IMHO.. a good way to shock load and test safety and relief valves, checks, and piston orings and gaskets.. etc. wheels are for running on the ground.. and that's what I use em for any time I can

a flex link will help when cresting a hill. of course there will always be extenuating circumstance that break the rules. etc. i'm bless to live in MOSTLY flat areas..

soundguy

 

[RickB]

FWIW #2 -I personally consider the 29hp Ford PTO rating to be less reality than it is marketing
//greg//

Any actual facts to back that up? Or perhaps even seat time on a 1920? 1920's routinely dyno test in the low 30"s.

You would think that if the 1920 was overrated in the HP department, somebody in the last 25 years would have made some noise about it.
FWIW, the 1920 is one of the most highly regarded CUT's ever built by anyone, and seldom complained about as underpowered.

 

[Hollow]

Stevewatr,

Kodiak builds the Mahindras, same mower with both names on it!
Idaho2

I forgot about Mahindra using Kodiak. :thumbsup:

And since spring is still quite a few months away, you have pleanty of time to shop c-list for good used deals.

Now is the time to clear over grown fields, no insects, all the herbaceous vegetation is dead and easier to cut, no leaves so its easier to see obstructions....

Too bad they are not sold in my area. Called the factory, they gave me the distributor, who gave me the nearest dealer, and they said they do not stock any, and wanted to sell me a king kutter, or woods.

If a dealer isn't interested in ordering you exactly what you want I wouldn't use that dealer. I have an Uncle who deals in Ag equipment, half the stuff he sells he never see's. He orders it and has it shipped straight to the customer.

 

[Soundguy]

You're not going to do a lot of MA bush-hogging this time of year anyway. So order one, and pick it up in the spring. I drove 150 miles to get my Kodiak, didn't give the distance a 2nd thought.

//greg//

when i bought my howse HD, I drove nearly 100m to look at a kodiak, and ended up having to get my HD howse from a non local dealer as well.. as most don't sell the HD line.

driving 2 hours saved me about 1400$..

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Personally, if I were you, I'd budget about $200 and pick one up on c-list and go from there. Because who knows, you might only be using it for the first year of two and decide to keep it all finished mowed. And then you'll think about that $2k you spent on a cutter that dont get used anymore.

or less. last 200$ clist mower I bought.. I paid 100$ for.. was a howse.. had a bent tailwheel support.. and one split weld on the side of the deck.. 1-2 loose bolts in the support a frame.

I torched the spindle odd the fork, and torched and welded up a new one.. looks as good as an original and was ez.. mower mows great for 100$.. and I don't mind using it for junk cutting since I got no money in it.

got a hd servis mower that was near clapped out ( 70's era ).. got it for free. a lil welding and grease later and it's a DARN good mower

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

You would think that if the 1920 was overrated in the HP department, somebody in the last 25 years would have made some noise about it.
FWIW, the 1920 is one of the most highly regarded CUT's ever built by anyone, and seldom complained about as underpowered.

i still regret trading mine to this day.. if I hadn't have gotten 95% of what I paid for it in trade after a few years of use.. i wouldn't have...

soundguy

 

[wcampbell47]

Get a mower that's SAFELY below the absolute limits and you'll have a more practical, safer, and probably more efficient rig. Your tractor will thank you later. Not saying you need to undersize implements, just don't push the limits to the hilt.

I definitely get what Farmwithjunk is saying here. My 48" LP will sometimes choke down my 21 hp tractor - but when using it behind the 32 hp tractor we just hum along at a fast clip. That 11 hp makes a nice difference.