I have a Kubota B8600 and I have been wanting to get a brush hog to mow the field behind my house. My question is what size should I get. I would like to have a 5' one, but my uncle seems to think it will only handle a 4'. I will be running this on some hills and will still need some power to climb them. What do you think? The PTO is rated at 17hp, I think, and the engine at 19hp.
Rotary Cutter What size brush hog should I get?
- Thread starter mopower01
- Start date
- Views: 8961
Citydude
Elite Member
The rule of thumb is that it takes 5 horses at the PTO for each foot of mower. If your planning on cutting thick grass and brush, I'd go with your uncles advice.
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,454
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
I run a 5 foot behind a 25 hp tractor. It handles it fine in regular mowing, but bogs down in heavy stuff. I had a little case tractor/lawn mower that was 18 hp. It ran a 4 foot ok but couldn't keep the front wheels on the ground. We sold the 4 foot cutter and just used the belly mower.
Fawken
Platinum Member
I've been running a 5' Hico for 32 years with my tractor and supposedly it's only got 11 PTO HP. I say supposedly because the tractor has done things over the years that are impossible for so few horses. Steroids in the oil maybe? Anyway, yes, I think your machine can run a 5 foot, I'll be honest, there isn't much difference in mowing times between a 4' and 5' on a small tractor. That's because with a 4' you can move a little faster and lift it more quickly if you're about to bog down. 32 years ago all I could afford was a used cutter, and there were no used, 4-foot cutters for sale around here.
HEC
Veteran Member
I run a 5 ft. on my 2650 which has about the same pto hp. as yours . I was very skeptical and wanted the 4 ft. but dealer let me try out the 5 ft. and was happy I did as it covers my wheel width , the 4 ft. didn't . That being said , I wouldn't want to cut really heavy material of any kind , and don't . I have a bigger tractor for that . If I was going to cut heavy hay or what ever, up some slopes etc., I would go 4 ft. , but like mentioned above you can always just go slower .
AaronS
Platinum Member
- Joined
- May 3, 2008
- Messages
- 672
- Location
- Santa Claus, Indiana
- Tractor
- LS XR4046HC, New Holland Boomer 1020
I'd go with the 4' if it covers your tracks.
tman1020
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2014
- Messages
- 1,466
- Location
- north west indiana
- Tractor
- Bobcat ct225 and Bad Boy zero turn
4' is best
Will_C
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2002
- Messages
- 1,773
- Location
- Upstate N.Y.
- Tractor
- Kubota L3560, Toro 52" and 60" ZTRs, Kubota RTV 900
Another vote for a 48" cutter.
Will
Will
Poopdeck Pappy
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,627
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Tractor
- Kioti DK50SE Cab, Kubota BX23, Kubota BX2660, Grasshopper 729BT
The question is not only whether you have the PTO horsepower to run the 5' cutter, but also whether you can safely lift it with your 3 point lift.
Do you know what the 3 pt. lift capacity of your tractor is? Do you know how much the 5' cutter weighs? Do you have a FEL or any counterweight on the front of the tractor? Remember that a rotary cutter hangs way back there behind your tractor, so the fulcrum effect magnifies that weight. The 4' cutter will be a little lighter and a little shorter in length.
Do you know what the 3 pt. lift capacity of your tractor is? Do you know how much the 5' cutter weighs? Do you have a FEL or any counterweight on the front of the tractor? Remember that a rotary cutter hangs way back there behind your tractor, so the fulcrum effect magnifies that weight. The 4' cutter will be a little lighter and a little shorter in length.