Loader Loader and brush hog at same time?

[TerryR]

I suppose it matters a lot what kind of mowing you do. I understand the value of having the bucket low in an unfamiliar field. But I mow the same property twice a year, so am not worried about unknown obstacles. And the field is totally surrounded by trees I want to mow close to, as well as a couple of dozen trees and some power poles in the field to mow around. I couldn't get as close as I want to with the loader frame on even with the bucket off.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I had no problem mowing close to tree with it on, no more so than if I had the whole loader off.

I can also mow close to trees with the loader on but it's a whole lot easier with it off.

When coming to a fence, I just raise it up to clear the fence and then I can mow just as close as if I didn't have it on.

Try this with a barn....

 

[Nellie08]

Can't thank everyone enough for the input. I haven't actually purchased it yet, was going to next week. Still on the fence on the model. I have 6 acres. 2 acres flat woods, 2 acres flat field, and 2 acres nice lawn. The BX 25D has a backhoe that would be very helpful for me. Question is could I pull the 4' brush cutter through my woodsy part as well as the field section. With the BX25D, I also have the ability down the road to add a MMM for lawn cutting. I am not sure whether the B2601 would be too much tractor and I wouldn't be getting the backhoe.

Too many dam decisions!!!!
Thanks everybody.

I attached some photos of my property

 

[TerryR]

I can also mow close to trees with the loader on but it's a whole lot easier with it off.

I have places on my property where I want to get the front end closer to trees or poles than the loader arms would allow. In fact the suitcase weights hanging in front get in the way, but I figure they are worthwhile so deal with it.

 

[ovrszd]

I never keep my loader frame on when I use my Bush Hog rotary cutter. It gets in the way of maneuvering around all the trees I have to mow around. It's much easier to work around the trees without it. It only takes a few minutes to remove or re-install it. But having a concrete surface to park it on does help. I add suitcase weights to the front of the tractor to maintain stability when it's off.

Yep. Always take the FEL off. I built a suitcase weight rack on the tractor and add 1000lbs of weights to take care of light front. If I tried to cut with FEL on I'd be bashing it into trees constantly. No thanks.

Isn't is amusing how much variation there is in use and machines here.

 

[Apsterbobed]

"Quote Originally Posted by Gary Fowler View Post
When coming to a fence, I just raise it up to clear the fence and then I can mow just as close as if I didn't have it on."

Try this with a barn....

It works just fine with the barn, all the damage from the bucket is well above eye level so it basically doesn't exist...

 

[Xfaxman]

-------------------------

Isn't is amusing how much variation there is in use and machines here.

Yep, here is something totally different, the FEL doesn't come off, besides, that is where the brush hog is mounted. :thumbsup:

 

[xring100]

Yep, here is something totally different, the FEL doesn't come off, besides, that is where the brush hog is mounted.




View attachment 470774

Does this also double as your hedge trimmer

 

[Cranedaddy]

I always take mine off when I mow my property, but it's flat and smooth. I like the ride much better with the FEL off and I can mow as fast as the tractor can go. Like a lot of other people said, if I'm mowing somewhere new your **** right if have the FEL on and low looking for obstacles.

 

[Xfaxman]

Does this also double as your hedge trimmer

:laughing: It could if we had a hedge. :thumbsup:

 

[xring100]

:laughing: It could if we had a hedge.

Yours would Probably a safer method than this guys

 

[4570Man]

Yours would Probably a safer method than this guys <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=470890"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=470891"/>

I would have disabled the safety and sent it for a unmanned mission. Way safer that way.

 

[amhicks21]

I take the fel off every time i have more than 30 minutes of cutting to do. Most of my mowing is bumpy construction lots so the ride with the fel on is pretty unbearable. The loader pins will also wear out faster if youre dealing with bumps that cause the loader to bounce around. I also end up having to run in 4x4 much more often if i leave the loader on which i prefer not to if i can help it. The mowing experience is just so much nicer with the fel off and once youre used to taking it on and off its really very quick. The rare exception is if its a lot ive never cut before and i expect to have lots of debris to pick up or push around.

 

[DT86]

Here's a reason to leave it on. I mowed a couple of lots today for a real estate company, to tidy them up for pictures. On the first 20-something acre lot there was a dead cedar tree laying in a small field by a creek. Very visible from the road. 2 minutes with the loader and it was out of sight.



There were also some fairly nasty little bushes that got plucked up or flattened and mowed over.


It all looked like this to start with.


Ended up looking like this cleared part after.

 

[4570Man]

Here's a reason to leave it on. I mowed a couple of lots today for a real estate company, to tidy them up for pictures. On the first 20-something acre lot there was a dead cedar tree laying in a small field by a creek. Very visible from the road. 2 minutes with the loader and it was out of sight. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=471294"/>

Yeah, that's a good reason. Nearly every time I bush hog I need to move a fallen tree.

 

[ovrszd]

Nice work Derek.

Hey, ur tire's on backwards....

 

[DT86]

Yeah the tire is from my set of front spares. Grabbed the wrong wheel/tire and been too lazy to change it.

Going in a minute to have a rear tire booted and might have them swap the good front back on too.

 

[CobyRupert]

Nice work Derek.

Hey, ur tire's on backwards....

That's for backing up once you've loaded the FEL!

 

[N80]

I hate mowing with the loader on. So much easier to maneuver with it off and far less bouncy on rough terrain. But like others, it depends on what I'm mowing. When I'm mowing in my well maintained open areas then the loader is off. But I have a good many woods roads that only get mowed once a year. I keep the loader on for these since there are always downed trees and branches that need to be moved. Also, when the grass is too deep to see through I keep the loader almost on the ground almost like a feeler to alert me to any unseen obstacles.

It used to be a struggle for me to get the loader removed and attached but I've got it down to about a 2 minute job. The key is doing it on level ground. If ground is not level I set the loader legs and bucket on boards. The other issue is attaching hydraulic lines that have gotten hot in the sun. You have to relieve the built up pressure or they will not attach. I use a ratchet extension to tap on the nipple in the female connector. Works like a charm. Make sure you don't point it at yourself as it can spay forcefully if the lines are real hot (direct sun). I usually cover it with a rag to avoid a mess.

 

[CobyRupert]

so....
Does an empty bucket bouncing really wear the pins faster than say repeatedly loading and unloading thousands of ponds of dirt/stone etc..?