Brush Cutter

[John0829]

Being new to the game, starting out and needing to obtain implements for your tractor I would tell you to go with a rotary (bush hog) for your first one. It will be able to handle brush or grass and if you sharpen (not recommended if cutting brush) the blades they can deliver a near finish mower cut. Look around and you should be able to find a good used one for sale.

I have nothing against flails, I own two of em', but I just do not think they are a "beginners" cutter.

 

[JGENGINE3]

Any thoughts on a flail mower versus brush hog? Have a few very rocky areas to deal with and the brush hog works but need to be very careful.

 

[paulsharvey]

Any thoughts on a flail mower versus brush hog? Have a few very rocky areas to deal with and the brush hog works but need to be very careful.

You need to also be careful with a flail. They are also easily damaged by rocks. My main enemy is the sand. Conventional mower, yiu might get a year out of blades, but they are worn away after that. Makes it extremely hard to keep whatever, 96 teeth, sharp...

 

[Midwest Gurl48]

The proper mower for you depends on your budget and the expected results. A five foot rotary mower will cut most stuff but the results won't look like a finish mower. It will look like a mowed field. I've been using mine for over fifteen years behind a two wheel drive tractor with your horsepower and it's still hanging in. A flail mower will give nicer results as will a finish mower but at a greater cost.

Thanks for your response. I’m trying to keep the place from being overgrown and I don’t want to keep using the John Deer mower. The hay field get cut once a season ,but I have other areas that burdocks,poplars and scrub stuff keeps resting it’s head. I don’t care in these areas for a super polished look. I appreciate any other thoughts you hv

 

[Midwest Gurl48]

Need to define brush. I’ve got mean, tough brush and hilly ground.

Tried different tractors and attachments over the decades. Hard to beat a good rotary cutter for cost, performance, and durability.
View attachment 819603
Fresh paint on our 25year old Brown tree cutter.

I like the size of this one. Called a tree cutter?what size is it

 

[paulsharvey]

I like the size of this one. Called a tree cutter?what size is it

Google Brown Tree Cutter. They are very expensive compared to a bushhog, but they are designed to cut that 3-4" stuff. Yes, a bushhog will, but it won't cut a wall of it, without either bogging down to the point the blades don't cut, stall the tractor out, or break something. I dont think they ever made a 4 ft model (or atleast they don't list one of current products). They are awesomeness, but you probably won't be able to use a 5 ft one without some pretty serious front weights. I see one locally (6 footer) for $3,000 OBO, in good, use not pretty condition. New, that is probably close to $12,000.

No knowledge abiut them, but there is a Bramua Tree saw, 30", only weighing 700 lbs, for like $3000 new. Didn't do much digging to see how the front of the 'Saw' body is, and whether it works like a bushhog in forwards

 

[paulsharvey]

So, before you go too far down the path, we need to know what 'brush' is. If it's grape vines, black berry's, snake weed, and 1-2" green sapplings; I'll get hate for it, but a standard duty, cheap, 4 or 5 ft countyline bushhog will do the job for many many acres, and many mowing cycles. If it's more like small diameter trees, with walls of brush, or very tough, woody brush, then the tree cutters are amazing, but you pay a price, in dollars, weight, and cutting width.

 

[paulsharvey]

Something like the Bestco 48" heavy duty flail, 'claims' upto 3" woody material, but that would involve driving over the 'brush' first, as they don't cut well in reverse, and the configuration of the back, really isn't designed up mow in reverse.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Google Brown Tree Cutter. They are very expensive compared to a bushhog, but they are designed to cut that 3-4" stuff. Yes, a bushhog will, but it won't cut a wall of it, without either bogging down to the point the blades don't cut, stall the tractor out, or break something. I dont think they ever made a 4 ft model (or atleast they don't list one of current products). They are awesomeness, but you probably won't be able to use a 5 ft one without some pretty serious front weights. I see one locally (6 footer) for $3,000 OBO, in good, use not pretty condition. New, that is probably close to $12,000.

No knowledge abiut them, but there is a Bramua Tree saw, 30", only weighing 700 lbs, for like $3000 new. Didn't do much digging to see how the front of the 'Saw' body is, and whether it works like a bushhog in forwards

We had many brands of bush hog cutters and replaced all of them with Brown cutters- we have 4 of them . 415, 416, 672hd-d 2 of them, best you can buy. We use a
skid steer with a drum mulcher for anything over 3”