Need Advice Brush Hogging

[RoyJackson]

Off. Especially on hills.

I'd like to qualify rekees' post a bit.

If the brush is tall and thick, and you are not familar with the area, I'd suggest leaving the loader installed and the bucket low (cutting edge a few inches off the ground). The bucket would knock down the brush so less likely to have any rude surprises or tear any hose, wires, etc off from under the tractor. You may only have to do this for the first time mowing.

If it's a pretty cleared field like in Fenix pictures), leave the loader off, mow up and down slope and definitely consider buying a couple hundred pounds of suitcase weights for the front end of your tractor.

Also, don't mow when that grass is wet...wet grass is slicker then greased owl sh*t!

 

[dmccarty]

I really do not have any flat land but then it is not that steep compared to others. I do have a Tiltmeter and watch it when I am in an area that is tilting me to one side or the other. A 10 degree slope makes me nervous. I might push to 15 degrees in one spot but I know the ground and I can see where I am going. 15 degrees makes me very nervous. In theory I should be ok up to 20 degrees if the implements are low to the ground. Maybe a bit more but I do not ever intend to find out.

I use the FEL to put more weight on the tractor and especially on the front of the tractor. My 4700 needs some weight with the mower. I put the bucket down to skim across the ground to feel rocks or stumps. I have plenty of both.

The Tiltmeter has taught me a couple of things. One, 10-15 degree slopes are not comfortable. Two, it does not take much to change the tilt angle on the tractor. A hole, rock, stump, log, etc can change the tractor's angle very suddenly.

Later,
Dan

 

[GPintheMitten]

Granted I don't have much experience brushhogging on hills and have only had a loader a short time. But I would be careful of the loader skimming or close to the ground possibly hitting something like a rock or stump and riding up over it, it could change your tilt in a hurry. Just something to be mindful of, I guess.

 

[jshwhite]

I'm no safety expert, but I have done some bush hogging on some very steep hills and I can say that I certainly wouldn't want to do it without some weight on the front end. I leave the loader on, but weights would probably do the same. When climbing a steep hill, the weight keeps the front end solid on the ground, which makes a BIG difference with the 4x4.

Just my thoughts - hope it helps.

 

[dmccarty]

Granted I don't have much experience brushhogging on hills and have only had a loader a short time. But I would be careful of the loader skimming or close to the ground possibly hitting something like a rock or stump and riding up over it, it could change your tilt in a hurry. Just something to be mindful of, I guess.

You go real slow. If you hit something it is not that bad. The bucket is low to the ground and even if the bucket rode over the stump/rock it is not going to move up much. If the bucket moving up over a stump would cause a roll over you should not be on the slope in the first place.

Later,
Dan

 

[BroBro]

Well I have been doing some hogg'n and I will tell you right up front I will never mow without the FEL on.
It is more stable and the added weight is very nice to have.
I have had this little tractor up hills that I can hardly walk up with the loader on and when going down hill I have on occasion needed to drop the bucket to stop sliding.
My sidehill courage is alittle suspect at this time but it is improving slowly.
I always wear my seatbelt and ROPS are always up.
But still 174 acers is a 174 acrers alot of seat time with a 5ft hog.
The only problem I see is I wish the little tractor would handle a 10 ft. hog but I guess that is a little much LOL !!!!

 

[gec343]

I didn't even know 10 foot brush hogs were available. My new L4600 is being delivered today, and I'm still debating with myself whether a five or six foot brush hog is needed. I have 80 acres of high grass and brush to mow. Hey, I like your signatures, which are both very true!!

 

[nybirdman]

I didn't even know 10 foot brush hogs were available. My new L4600 is being delivered today, and I'm still debating with myself whether a five or six foot brush hog is needed. I have 80 acres of high grass and brush to mow. Hey, I like your signatures, which are both very true!!

Yes they make 10ft.BH but you have to have the horse-power to run them and tractor enough to handle the weight.Depends what you are mowing but you may be able to handle a seven ft.(lite or med duty).Heavey brush a six footer on your tractor.

 

[94BULLITT]

I didn't even know 10 foot brush hogs were available. My new L4600 is being delivered today, and I'm still debating with myself whether a five or six foot brush hog is needed. I have 80 acres of high grass and brush to mow. Hey, I like your signatures, which are both very true!!

You will probably want a 6' so it will be wider than tractor.