Brush Hog for 1533/ NEWBIE Questions

[notacos4u]

I have 2 questions really. I have never used a brush hog and I’m relatively new at operating a tractor, as in I have only had A tractor for about a year and half.

I’m looking into purchasing a brush hog for my tractor, like stated, it’s a 1533. I was thinking of getting a 6’ to minimize the time I spent brush hogging, I probably have 5 acres and trails to mow, and none of it is a manicured lawn so I definitely won’t be going fast with the tractor. Would it be fine to use a 6’ with a slip clutch on this tractor?

2nd Question, is about brand of brush hogs. I’m having trouble locating brush hogs locally that are in stock or know when they could get them without paying what I feel is outrageous prices. I can get a Kioti brush hog in about 2 weeks. Will there be any issue with mounting this to my Mahindra? Control your laughter and rolling of your eyes, like I said I’m new. And before anyone tries saying it, I know my tractor will not burst into flames if I mount another brand to it, nor will it get jealous. LOL Just looking to find out if there is anything I need to be aware of or look out for. Thanks in advance, Jim

 

[Roadworthy]

The rule of thumb for a brush hog type mower is five horsepower per foot of mower. Your tractor should handle the six foot mower just fine. Some mowers have a slip clutch while others use a shear bolt. The mower may come with a drive shaft which will fit right on your PTO. You will probably have to cut the drive shaft to length for your tractor. Too short is a safety issue and too long can cause physical damage. You may wish to consider an over run clutch as well. This is a device which mounts on your PTO shaft and has an output shaft for the mower. It allows the tractor to run the mower but free wheels if the mower tries to push the tractor. You may or may not need it.

 

[CobyRupert]

The PTO shaft, consists of 2 tubes that can “telescope” with each other as the length needs to change as the mower is raised and lowered on the 3 point hitch. (PTH).
Generally, the PTO shaft needs to be its shortest when the shaft is horizontal from the tractor’s PTO shaft. If you can connect the mower’s PTO shaft to the tractor when the mower has is raised to this position, it’s short enough and you don’t need to cut it.
Otherwise, if it can’t compress enough when the mower is raised or lowered all the weight (or lifting power) will be on the shaft trying to smash the tractor’s rear casing.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Once you have it installed on you 3PH without binding, you set it up for the height of grass you want. on your driveway, adjust your depth control (raise and lower) for about a 3 inch space from driveway to bush hog, leveling both sides with your arm adjustments. Tighten up the side to side motion. Set the 3rd link so that the rotary cutter has a slight rake to the front. The cutter should immediately lift off when raised without much slop in the linkages. That's the way I set it up in the spring for cutting all summer.

 

[notacos4u]

So I have a chance to get pretty much a brand new Woods brushbull BB72 For $1900... two questions, will the 1533 have an issue running this rotary cutter or should I look another route? And I’d this a good price for the Rotary cutter? Thanks for the replies, Jim

 

[CobyRupert]

So I have a chance to get pretty much a brand new Woods brushbull BB72 For $1900... two questions, will the 1533 have an issue running this rotary cutter or should I look another route? And I’d this a good price for the Rotary cutter? Thanks for the replies, Jim

On the margins.
It depends on what you’re cutting and how fast you want to cut. (i.e. Horsepower is a measure of how fast you can do the task)

How hilly is your land?
It would be hanging 800+ lbs off the back of a ~3200 lb tractor. How much of that 3200lbs is normally on the front axle? To avoid wheelies and to steer you may want front weights or have the FEL on with material in it.

Does tractor’s PTO turn (or slam) on/off with a electric solenoid? I’d run a PTO slip clutch, set “light”, instead of a shear bolt, for two reasons. To get mower slammed on, and set to protect a 25 hp tractor PTO instead of a 30-75hp mower gearbox.

It’s a good price and not my money so easy for me to say go for it. You can always resell.

 

[mbohuntr]

I have 2 questions really. I have never used a brush hog and I知 relatively new at operating a tractor, as in I have only had A tractor for about a year and half.

I知 looking into purchasing a brush hog for my tractor, like stated, it痴 a 1533. I was thinking of getting a 6 to minimize the time I spent brush hogging, I probably have 5 acres and trails to mow, and none of it is a manicured lawn so I definitely won稚 be going fast with the tractor. Would it be fine to use a 6 with a slip clutch on this tractor?

2nd Question, is about brand of brush hogs. I知 having trouble locating brush hogs locally that are in stock or know when they could get them without paying what I feel is outrageous prices. I can get a Kioti brush hog in about 2 weeks. Will there be any issue with mounting this to my Mahindra? Control your laughter and rolling of your eyes, like I said I知 new. And before anyone tries saying it, I know my tractor will not burst into flames if I mount another brand to it, nor will it get jealous. LOL Just looking to find out if there is anything I need to be aware of or look out for. Thanks in advance, Jim

I have a 5' for mine, I buy them used because I clear new areas with unknown hazards. I have a either a chain or flexible connection on my top link to prevent the toplink from bending if I back over something that raises the rear wheel too much.

A little safety note... If the PTO is spinning, your butt better stay on the seat. Many people get killed by getting close to a spinning PTO shaft. A over running clutch was designed for a time when the PTO shaft was mechanically tied to the transmission..

If you were using a antique FORD 9N for example, simply pushing in the clutch would work to stop the tractor from driving foward, but with a heavy spinning direct coupled attachment on the PTO, it would continue to drive the tractor foward and you couldn't stop it until you knocked the tractor out of gear!.. Very unsafe. My tractor has Hydrostatic drive and it's not an issue. I won't claim it is ok on a gear drive, since I don't have one.
If you try it on your tractor, and it still drives foward with the clutch depressed, GET ONE!

On a side note, I ended up reversing the rims (not the tires) on my 1533, because the darn thing was too tippy! With the backhoe on it, I had the rear tire off the ground while in the woods. I didn't want to load them, and that didn't help either. I think it added 2' to the width on the rear end, much better now!

 

[shovelmike]

A little safety note... If the PTO is spinning, your butt better stay on the seat. Many people get killed by getting close to a spinning PTO shaft. A over running clutch was designed for a time when the PTO shaft was mechanically tied to the transmission..
Heed the wise advice regarding the PTO shaft. A rotary cutter with a slip clutch is much handier than one with shear pin, I have an ancient Ford unit with clutch, and attack heavy brush with it. I would be spending a lot of time changing shear pins if it were equipped as such.