Brush Cutter for Jinma

[mitchash]

I am looking for a brush cutter for my Jinma 254, what would be a good size for this tractor and about what would one cost? Thanks

 

[RonMar]

I am looking for a brush cutter for my Jinma 254, what would be a good size for this tractor and about what would one cost? Thanks

I run a 5' Brushhog on my 254, and it works great. Cost? Well I guess that depends on what is available in your area. It will also depend on your choices for features and unit quality.

 

[greg_g]

Depends upon (a) what you're going to cut, and (b) the terrain you're going to traverse. I had two JM254s, and neither one could handle a 60" rotary cutter mowing uphill in my pastures. Mowed fine on level ground and downhill in H1. But every time I turned around at the bottom of a hill, I had to stop and shift into L3 in order to mow back up the hill. Couldn't stay in L3 all the time, cuz it was just too slow anywhere other than back uphill. So my conclusion was that 25hp was just not enough for a 5' RC on my ground. After too many hills and too much shifting, I eventually got rid of them both for a 45hp tractor and a six foot rotary cutter.

That said, if the 254 is your only option AND you have terrain like I described - you might be better off with a 48" rotary cutter.

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

I run a 5' Bush Hog on mine. No way I would go with a 4' unit because it will not get anywhere near the wheel width. I mow a lot of fence lines and this is important to me. I have had no problems running a 5' mower in stuff as tall as I am.

As for price mine is a old used Ford 60" cutter I gave $150 for used. A new one is going to start at around $700 and go up from there.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

No way I would go with a 4' unit because it will not get anywhere near the wheel width.

The fenceline concern is common, I understand that. But you might be surprised if you actually measure your rear track. A JM254 with original rims/tires has an adjustable rear track between 1070 and 1250 millimeters. That means the widest possible positioning is 49.2 inches.

//greg//

 

[Rich Waugh]

I don't have a 254, I have a 304. That said, the 300 series are much heavier than the 200 series so the hp/weight ratio is probably fairly similar. I run a 60" rotary brush hog cutting guinea grass (think cane grass) as much as 9 feet tall up and down hills on a regular basis. Not in high range, mind you - 2L or 3L is about the best I can do for safety reasons. Some of the hills are rather steep.

I recall that I paid $600 for my Kodiak rotary new.

 

[nt254]

I run an old 5ft. heavy rough cut mower/bushog on my 254. I do not have any problems with it. I started off with light-duty a 4ft. mower/bushog and it actually did Not cut as good as the older 5ft. unit. I use L3 (H1 is too fast for my rough fields). I cut grass, weeds, small saplings/brush.

 

[RonMar]

I don't ever get into high range with mine either. It is typically L1-L2, as I am mostly hill terrain and what is sort of level is not very smooth...

When I am pushing thru thick brush and sapplings(up to about 2"-3"), it is usually LL1-LL2, as I need time to modulate the FEL low over the ground looking for stumps and other obstructions that I don't want to mow over. In creeper, when the FEL finds a stump, the tractor just stops and the tires start to dig without breaking anything. Even at that, I have managed to bend my tie rod a few times

As for mowing alongside somthing, a 4' mower deck would force you to put the tractor wheel/fender RIGHT alongside the fence or building, with no room to maneuver. The 5' allows a few inches of clearance between tractor and object, so it is a little easier to do.

 

[g0rd0]

I have an 08 284 on that I use a 60" bush hog that I ordered along with my 284, on flat pasture I use L3, going up or down hill L2. All directions the pto is set at 540 with the rpm around 1300/1500. Now if I am cutting brush (anything up to 2" dia, any bigger and I use a bush saw or chain saw), I use L1 and L2 and rpm 1800 or higher if needed. For safty sake I never mow in high range (too fast ground speed for me)
At a dealer you can expect to pay $800.00 to $2000.00 depending on the brand. Check your Jinma dealer the price should be closer to the $800.00 range.

 

[greg_g]

I have an 08 284 on that I use a 60" bush hog that I ordered along with my 284, on flat pasture I use L3, going up or down hill L2. All directions the pto is set at 540 with the rpm around 1300/1500

Well, confidence in your tractor and your ability both come with time and experience. But experienced owners know that their tractors and mowers operate most efficiently when the engine RPMs are actually delivering 540 RPMS at the PTO. On your Jinma, that's about 2200-2300 engine RPMS. If I used a 60' rotary cutter - at a nominal 1400 engine rpms in L3 - I'd likely fall asleep from boredom, only to be awakened occasionally by the mower choking on grass

Granted H2 and H3 in the 200 Series are all but useless for anything but road travel. But H1 actually provides usable power and speed for a 5' mower on level ground. Downhill, I could see where that might seem too fast for the inexperienced. Eventually you'll learn to use the 2-stage clutch to its advantage. But mowing level ground at 1400 rpm in L3, that's just a waste of time and fuel.

//greg//