Brush hog advice

[Code54]

"Get a mower that's SAFELY below the absolute limits and you'll have a more practical, safer, and probably more efficient rig. Your tractor will thank you later. Not saying you need to undersize implements, just don't push the limits to the hilt."
This is VERY good advice!!!!
I personally run a 5' on my 50hp tractor and am happy with it, never bogs, and it allows me to tuck it into places and cut brush that I would otherwise not be able to cut with anything wider. I recently bought a 1200lbs+ flail mower and I can assure you that when it is on the back of the tractor I know it! A flail sits much closer to the tractor so the weight is a bit easier to handle than the brush hog would be. I know I would not enjoy taking it over rough or steep terrain let along a brush hog that is hanging an additional 4' behind me.
The other thing is a lighter (say 600-800lbs) hog will cut a remarkable amount of stuff and with a little practice you will find it really does not get too beat up. Plus as other have said they are fairly easy to find at a decent price.
Last and not least - look at some of the off brands local dealers sell around the area - there are some "unknown" makes that are heavy duty without the heavy duty price! i recall Tennessee River Implement (I think that is the name) had some decent stuff out for a good price in our area

 

[greg_g]

Any actual facts to back that up? .

Nope, just the ageless rule of thumb for geared tractors; PTO hp is ~14% of flywheel hp, and drawbar hp is ~14% of PTO hp. 32-14%=27.5 at the PTO (as opposed to the manufacturer claimed 29).

//greg//

 

[stevewatr]

Love the action on this thread! I'm going to keep all my opyions open, except I am leaning more torwards a 5 footer. Only way I'll buy a 6 after this thread, is if I get an incredible deal on a used one.

The reason I did not want to wait for spring is I also think this is a great time to brushhog here in Mass. At least for the moment it is! We still have no snow accumulation here, and we have been bouncing all around temp wise. High of 50 for tommorow......on Janurary 13th! My mowing area is mostly flat, with some gentle slopes. I like the fact that lots of the stuff is dead right now, and I do not have to worry about yellow jackets.

Another thing to consider. Once the snow flys, sellers are going to lose motivation, and hold off for spring. In spring, demand goes up, and so will prices.

I have a McCormick dealer about 20 minutes away, I'll see what he has. I know the McCormick hogs are made by Woods, they are just painted red.

One of the cheaper ones offered me is a Bush hog, guy says he knows its a bush hog, he thinks it is from the 1970's?? But he says it works well, and is "heavy duty". $400. He is supposed to send me photos this weekend.

I check CL every day in the tristate area.

Thanks,
Steve W.

 

[Rowdy Raven]

I have a 4' Bushog that I use behind my Satoh Buck (18.5) hp. It used to be awkward to use until I put a FEL on the Satoh, now it is balanced out well and really works well. I keep it on the ground as much as possible because the 48" Squealer is fairly heavy for a small tractor. Got mine for $300.00 from a local dealer, it is an older unit with the chain to the rear instead of a solid strut. It really is great on high weeds and small saplings. Dealer serviced and sharpened the unit before I picked it up as well.

 

[stevewatr]

Found a Woods 60, I assume that is an older version of the BB60?? Guy says it has a dented in side, but still works fine, and he'll take $600, but he is 3 hours away, so I don;t think it is worth it.

A couple other guys I soke to selling tractors with hogs do not want to sell the hog without the tractor......oh well........the search continues.

 

[Soundguy]

tractor / implement packages sweeten the deal on both sides usually..

 

[stevewatr]

tractor / implement packages sweeten the deal on both sides usually..

I hear that. Take my Ford 1920 for instance. I got a steal on it, but it has no loader. For what I would have to pay for a good used New holland Ford loader, I could buy an older model 50 hp gas tractor with a loader on it!

However, If this one had a loader on it, I would have most likely been outbid.

Steve W.

 

[stevewatr]

Found another potetial seller today. Selling a tractor package on CL, mentioned a brush hog, so I called, and he said he'd sell it seperate, but he said it is about 5 years old, and a cheaper unit he bought a TSC. I asked him if he meant Countryline (what they have now), and he said that was not it. He said he recalls it only cost about $500 new??? Anybody know of a 5' hog Tractor supply was selling a few years ago for $500??? He said he honestly does not know what its worth, and threw out a figure of $200, I told him I'd like to see it, and he said he's get the name brand and get back to me. Even if it is a cheaper unit, for $200 I can afford to beat it up a little.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

Found another potetial seller today. Selling a tractor package on CL, mentioned a brush hog, so I called, and he said he'd sell it seperate, but he said it is about 5 years old, and a cheaper unit he bought a TSC. I asked him if he meant Countryline (what they have now), and he said that was not it. He said he recalls it only cost about $500 new??? Anybody know of a 5' hog Tractor supply was selling a few years ago for $500??? He said he honestly does not know what its worth, and threw out a figure of $200, I told him I'd like to see it, and he said he's get the name brand and get back to me. Even if it is a cheaper unit, for $200 I can afford to beat it up a little.:thumbsup:

Might be a King Kutter. TSC was selling that brand for a few years.

 

[greg_g]

Anybody know of a 5' hog Tractor supply was selling a few years ago for $500???... Even if it is a cheaper unit, for $200 I can afford to beat it up a little.:thumbsup:

Rural King was selling a $469 piece of Chinese crap about 5 years ago, not sure if TSC fell into that same trap. It was such a piece of garbage, that they dropped the line in a matter of months. I made the mistake of buying one for extra light duty work, but the **** thing tore up just lookin' at it. Six months later I was almost ashamed to accept $250 for it. But since I'd already stuck that much into it for repairs, I took the money. So given that experience, I personally wouldn't throw good money away on a $500 farm store rotary cutter.

//greg//