Rotary Cutter Is a stump jumper needed for a 4-foot brush hog?

[Santa Craig Cringle]

In the market for a used brush hog for my Kioti CX2510 (25 hp). I’m looking at 4 and 5 foot cutters, but would prefer to stay at 4 as I’m not sure how well it will handle the 5.

I’m not seeing a lot of listings for a 4 footer, so options appear limited. Many do not have stump jumpers. I’ll be using this on raw undeveloped acreage that has been sat as hunting land for years.

I wasn’t sure if a stump jumper is all that common for the 4-foot size? Seems like it would significantly reduce your cutting edge length, and I might be better off with a 5 footer with stump jumper even if it might bog down from time to time.

 

[TractorTech]

A stump jumper will cut down on shearbolt replacement, but is not necessary, just a nice option.

 

[Torvy]

I'm not endorsing this brand or model, but this one from Tractor Supply is 4' with a stump jumper.

Item number 135933099

County Line Round Back

 

[repete]

What are you mowing?

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

What are you mowing?

Land was logged about twenty years ago. Replanted with pine. Under the canopy is mostly briars, brambles, small saplings, etc. There’s also several acres that weren’t replanted that is filled with tall -’ grass like brush/weeds.

 

[2manyrocks]

Because of the overlap lost while mowing, you won't be getting a full 4' cut from a 4' cutter. Probably more like 3.5 feet which isn't much mowing acres of land. I think you might do better with a more common 5' unit used, but get a lighter one, not a heavy duty that will be too heavy. If it's not what you want, you can resell it.

 

[oldnslo]

Do you need to lift the complete mower or can you leave rear on tail wheel? If needing to lift complete mower I suspect 5 ft would be close to lift limit. I know my 5 ft woods is pushing limit on my 2400H which I believe is similar size tractor. I usually don’t even connect top link since only mow my flat pasture which is just grass.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Do you need to lift the complete mower or can you leave rear on tail wheel? If needing to lift complete mower I suspect 5 ft would be close to lift limit. I know my 5 ft woods is pushing limit on my 2400H which I believe is similar size tractor. I usually don’t even connect top link since only mow my flat pasture which is just grass.

I think I’m ok on lift capacity. Was more worried about whether a 25hp tractor has enough power to not get bogged down with a 5 footer.

 

[2manyrocks]

I mowed for years with a yanmar 226d powering a 5 foot jbar cutter. If the vegegation is too thick, I went to a lower gear, raised the cutter, or took a smaller bite. 25hp isnt ideal for mowing many acres, but sometimes you make the best of what you have.

Sharp blades help.

 

[5030]

Power to mow is always determined by what you are mowing as well as what lurks under the grass while you are mowing and why a stump jumper can be important because it's what you don't see under the green stuff that can and will destroy the slasher and possibly wreck the gearbox which is why both my rear mount Landpride slasher as well as my Landpride bat wing mowers have stump jumpers discs on them. It's always the unseen stuff that will het you.

 

[EddieWalker]

The stump jumper is a misleading name that has nothing to do with stumps. It provided the place to attach the blades so they can bounce or flex when they hit something hard, or get overwhelmed. It provides a pivot point while the blades are spinning.

Most common stump jumpers are round disks, but Rhino has a design that is shaped like a dog bone that they say is better. If I had the money, I would of bought Rhino. I think they have a lot of features that are better then other brands.

The smaller mower will allow you to cut thicker material, but once you cut it, it will take a lot longer to maintain it. In my opinion, it is better to get as big a mower as you can, and then go super, extra slow the first time you mow. Set the deck as high as you can to knock everything down and then go over it another day to get it shorter.

Once you have the land under control, you will be very happy to have the bigger mower to maintain it and keep it under control.

 

[5030]

Interesting comment. The stump jumper pans on both my Landpride's are bowl shaped, not flat and yes the slasher blades mount to the pans and of course a PITA to change out with nothing less than a 3/4 drive impact and stout impact sockets. Landpride was thoughtful enough to have an access port on the top of the deck to access the bolts and nuts.

 

[WranglerX]

Isn't the some sort of ratio recommended for horse power to diameter of brush hog, .. Something like 1 foot of cutter for every 5 HP of tractor.....

Rotary Cutter - Bush hog hp requirements

Is there a general rule for how much pto hp is needed for various sizes of bush hog type rotary mowers? I will be needing to cut tall (2-3ft) grass hay, lots of blackberry bushes , small diameter saplings. Am I going to need at least 25hp, or will 18 to 20 work? Any advice is appreciated.

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[5030]

sure is... 1 foot per 5 ponies pto.

 

[EddieWalker]

Isn't the some sort of ratio recommended for horse power to diameter of brush hog, .. Something like 1 foot of cutter for every 5 HP of tractor.....

Rotary Cutter - Bush hog hp requirements

Is there a general rule for how much pto hp is needed for various sizes of bush hog type rotary mowers? I will be needing to cut tall (2-3ft) grass hay, lots of blackberry bushes , small diameter saplings. Am I going to need at least 25hp, or will 18 to 20 work? Any advice is appreciated.

www.tractorbynet.com

I think that's accurate, but I've also found that if you are maintaining existing pasture and you don't let it get too tall, you don't need anywhere near as much HP as you do when you are cutting it for the first time after years of letting it go.

 

[EdGooding]

I think that's accurate, but I've also found that if you are maintaining existing pasture and you don't let it get too tall, you don't need anywhere near as much HP as you do when you are cutting it for the first time after years of letting it go.

Agreed! Mowing this with a 33hp engine and 6' LandPride bush hog can bog her down at times. If I mow monthly, it's not much of a challenge.

 

[RayIN]

I think I’m ok on lift capacity. Was more worried about whether a 25hp tractor has enough power to not get bogged down with a 5 footer.

Nothing says you must use the full width of a 5' cutter in heavy stuff.

 

[terraformer]

I mow a hilly rough 6 acre field, lawn and a couple of miles of trails with a 4 foot brush hog with a stump jumper hub.

I generally mow with a 19hp iseki/bolens diesel. Weight about 2200 without weights or deck.

Weight of the mower is only a problem when trying to turn on a hill with the smaller tractor. I built a box from half inch steel for the front of it and carry steel and lead weights. Still if it gets slipping on an uphill, lifting the the mower to gain traction is a problem in that it can wheelie. I have learned to avoid maneuvers which cause lack of steering ability.

 

[POGuy]

Isn't the some sort of ratio recommended for horse power to diameter of brush hog, .. Something like 1 foot of cutter for every 5 HP of tractor.....

Rotary Cutter - Bush hog hp requirements

Is there a general rule for how much pto hp is needed for various sizes of bush hog type rotary mowers? I will be needing to cut tall (2-3ft) grass hay, lots of blackberry bushes , small diameter saplings. Am I going to need at least 25hp, or will 18 to 20 work? Any advice is appreciated.

www.tractorbynet.com

Yep !! And my stump jumper(howse 4 ft) is dinner plate shaped but still uses a TEE shaped shaft that the blades attach to. The stump jumper plate is thin and would never support blades by itself. I always assumed they were always built this way.

 

[RayIN]

I mow a hilly rough 6 acre field, lawn and a couple of miles of trails with a 4 foot brush hog with a stump jumper hub.

I generally mow with a 19hp iseki/bolens diesel. Weight about 2200 without weights or deck.

Weight of the mower is only a problem when trying to turn on a hill with the smaller tractor. I built a box from half inch steel for the front of it and carry steel and lead weights. Still if it gets slipping on an uphill, lifting the the mower to gain traction is a problem in that it can wheelie. I have learned to avoid maneuvers which cause lack of steering ability.

General advise is, avoid turning uphill with above ground implements.