Mowing I need some advice on mowing

[Brokken]

Hello all, I am running a Kubota 4740(30 hp pto), and have a 5 foot brush hog. I am responsible for cutting hay/grass over 170 acres of fairly rough terrain in northern Ontario. Last season I cut for over 400 hours, and only completed about 115 acres.
I need some advice. Is there an attachment that would be better suited?
I would appreciate any of your thoughts.
- thank you

 

[DieselMonk]

Sounds like you need a bigger tractor and a big flail mower.

 

[Brokken]

Yeah, a new tractor is not really an option for me.
I was wondering if a small flail would allow me to cut significantly faster?
Or what about a sickle, or a haybine(new holland 488)?
I have no experience at all with anything besides the hog.
-cheers.

 

[ustobefarmer]

I'm confused. Did it take you 400 hours to mow 115 acres? That is 3.5 hours per acre! You can travel faster with a bush hog or diskbine that you can with a sickle. Are you trying to cut it for baling are just weed control. I think a bigger tractor and larger bush hog is needed.

 

[Brokken]

Hi, I'm cutting for control. The fields I am cutting are interspersed by forest. So 400 hours was a generalization, which included drive time to different areas, maintenance, and odd jobs. Also the area has a few creeks that are hard to traverse, so it can take some time to get around.
It's good to know that the sickle is much slower.
-thanks

 

[Brokken]

But would a 9 foot sickle be slower than a 5 foot brush hog?

 

[flyingcow]

The nice thing about a bush hog is they're generally bullet proof. If you maintain them. Grease level in gear box, etc. Does this unit have a shear pin or slip clutch on the PTO shaft? If it's a slip clutch of some kind make sure it's working properly. If it isn't it will result in gear box damage, which is pricey. this I know.

i don't think you're going to be able to cover ground any faster with anything else for mowers.

 

[1GB]

But would a 9 foot sickle be slower than a 5 foot brush hog?

He mentioned rough terrain. A sickle wouldn't be advisable for that IMO.

I think the best solution is a bigger brush hog.

 

[RPW]

With a 30pto tractor he could move up to a 6ft mower. If the grass/hay isn't to high probably pick up the speed a bit.

 

[BillG_in_TX]

The L4740 is rated at 40-41.5 PTO HP. The OP can run a much bigger cutter.