2320: 4-foot bush hog, or 5-foot bush hog?

[Mackinac Joe]

I'm in the market for a bush-hog-type mower for my 2320. I think Deere specs recommend 48" max cutting width. Is 5' too much?

I will not be cutting a lot of acreage since most of my property is woods, but will be maintaining trails, mowing through some nasty blackberry thickets and the odd small sapling, and cutting maybe 2-3-foot high grass and weeds.

Has anyone had good experience with the 2320 and a 5' hog?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[mx125]

I'm in the market for a bush-hog-type mower for my 2320. I think Deere specs recommend 48" max cutting width. Is 5' too much?

I will not be cutting a lot of acreage since most of my property is woods, but will be maintaining trails, mowing through some nasty blackberry thickets and the odd small sapling, and cutting maybe 2-3-foot high grass and weeds.

Has anyone had good experience with the 2320 and a 5' hog?

Thanks,

Joe

I have a 2320 with a 5" LX5. I have NO problems. I was cautioned by the dealer at first as no one had bought one . .but I love it. A 4' in my opinion would waste time and not even cover the track fully. Keep it lowered on uphills and definitely use with loader (or front ballast), but I fully recommend. If you were mainly cutting true brush/trees at the max thickness then power is much more important than swath. It sounds like you do a mix . .and once the initial cut is done, you want to maintain.

 

[RoyJackson]

Just go slow...if the hog bogs down your tractor, stop and let the RPM increase.

 

[Jksnvly]

I use an LX4 on my 2320. Never had an issue with power, and I cut some pretty big mounds of multiflora rose, except going up hill where it seems to lack a little oomph even in low gear. Part of the reason I upgraded to a 2520, because I have hills!

 

[jdbower]

I'd also check the dimensions of where you want the trail, even a 4' would need a little chainsaw persuasion on my property, a 5' would mean more trees may have to go. I'm leaning towards a 4' myself simply because it's more maneuverable, but I also don't mind a second pass to widen the trail where possible.

 

[Jksnvly]

Good point JD- I find that the 4'-er works well for the trails. Love cutting new ones, the wildlife treat 'em like roadways!

 

[Chris2520]

Good point JD- I find that the 4'-er works well for the trails. Love cutting new ones, the wildlife treat 'em like roadways!

I am so jelious.....

we use to have nice trails and woods around my house 25 years ago. Now the building boom hit around here. and everywhere there was some dirt. thay stuck a house... now all i got to play on the tractor is my little 2 acrers. I hate to move. i bought this house from my folks. I have lived here my whole life. 40 somthing years. i guess someday , I will have to move out farther. if i want to get back to nature again...

Chris....

 

[thatguy]

I have a 4' and sometimes wish i had the 5' instead.. One thing that hasnt been mentioned, and what the dealer told me, was the aspect of the extra weight hanging off the end. Not sure if I buy that entirely though.

brian

 

[EdC]

thatguy
Couldn't you compensate for the heavier weight of a 5 footer with additional weight in the front? Either leave the FEL on or some weights.

 

[Efreet]

I strongly advise that you go to a dealer and compare the size of the 4' and 5' cutters side by side. I wanted a 5' deck at first, but looking at it scared me, as it seemed about twice the size and weight of the 4' unit.

In my opinion the 5' deck on the 2320 might be fine for flat, wide open fields, but too tricky for steep or uneven terrain and where the ability to make narrow turns is important. Check out these units yourself, talk to your dealer, and make your own judgement.