brush hog size

[Freds]

Well, it doesn't look like like the farmer who worked the field on the property I bought 6 months ago is is going to do the same this year (shoot, I was looking forward to a little lease money /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ) so, I went looking at brush hogs a little while ago. I can get a 60" Woods standard for $980 and I can get a used Woods 48" for $400. The store owner said my Kubota 7500HST would be a little on the light side (hp) to handle the 60", but he thought it would. On the other hand I can save a good chunk of change on the used 48" and probably be able to travel a little faster, which might equal out timewise the narrower cutting path. I would appreciate any input on this as the brush in the old cornfield is already about 2 ft. high and I gotta do something quick.

thanks,
Fred

ps; On a previous post I had on tractor size and my 60" RFM bogging down cutting my lawn, I found out that overcoming ground resistance can use a lot of hp. I shouldn't have that problem with the ground in the cornfield.

 

[gerard]

I don't know how many hp the 7500 is rated for but your manual should tell you how big a bush hog your tractor is rated for. If 4 foot will cover your tire footprint I would go with that. I have a 5 foot on a 27 hp gear tractor and COULD have gone 6 foot according to the manual. Just means you go a little slower in the tall stuff but you make up the slower speed by having a wider cut. I only went with the 5 footer cause when you get to the 6 footers they all seemed to be heavy duty and a lot more expensive. (Bought a new bush hog razorback 5 footer for $950)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...I can get a used Woods 48" for $400...</font color=blue>

If you have a TSC in your area... check out a brand new 48" KingKutter rotary cutter for only a few dollars more ~$499-539... that will handle up to 1" stuff (and beyond with some caution)... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Freds]

John, I've seen "TSC" on the board before, what does it stand for and I'll see if there's one close by?
How does a KK compare to the Woods? He showed me a Bush Hog brand that had a couple holes in the deck from a broken blade. The Woods' blades aren't suppose to break (just bend) and the deck was a good 1/16" thicker.

Fred

 

[JonLeonard]

TSC = Tractor Supply Company

King Kutter is heavy made, at least the stuff Ive seen. Its priced alot lower then the comparable Landpride/Woods/Bush Hog stuff as well.

Jon

 

[BB_TX]

I don't know what your PTO hp is. I run a 6' light duty with 27 PTO hp with no problem. I mow cedars up to 5'-6' tall near my creek with out shearing a pin. let alone break a blade. With regular pasture grass, I can mow in 3H which is really a little faster than I normally want to go. Tall heavy grass I have to slow down to maybe 3L.
You do want a cutter wider than your tires so that you can mow up next to fences, buildings, etc. But you have to be careful that you don't also catch a something such as a fence post. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Unless you are going to be mowing heavy brush or saplings, you shouldn't need a particularly heavy cutter.

 

[Bird]

Freds, I've no doubt your manual recommends nothing larger than a 4' brush hog, and in my personal opinion, you'll be happier with the 4' one, whether you buy the used one or a new one.

 

[pennwalk]

Fred,
Woods makes some great equipment. Well engineered and nicely finished. But their light duty rotary mowers are just that, for light duty use only. It just depends which model you are looking at. If you will only be mowing weeds then you should have no problems but don't even think of trying to take down saplings with a light duty bush hog and be real careful of rocks. I have an old Woods M4 that I bought for parts and it looks like it was run over by a truck,dent city. I use an old 4' KK hog and I do take small trees and it has eaten a fair number of rocks and it looks astonishingly good. Of course KK isn't known for its appearance so aside from the rough paint and the ugly welds my Kutter has taken a licking and kept on ticking.

Chris

 

[TonyC]

<font color=blue>How does a KK compare to the Woods?</font color=blue>

In my opinion, King Kutter is a good product but it's not to Woods or Bush Hog standard. I have had products from both companies and Woods is better made. I would by another KK product any time to save on the costs but if I wanted the best I would go for Woods, Bush Hog, Land Pride and probably a few others.

As far as size, I pull a 60" Bush Hog with a Kubota L3600. It would pull a 72" mower and sometimes I wish I had one. But I have had the 60" for many years and it does just fine. I wouldn't be too concerned about being too small at 48" for your tractor.

 

[Nik]

Go with the 48" brush cuttter. I have a B2410 and used to own a 60" JD rotary cutter (#513). I felt this was slightly too large for this tractor to handle at times. The tractor never lacked for power but because of its smaller size I often felt the oscillations of the blades transmit to the tractor. Now I have a 48" WOODS brushbull rotary cutter and this is a perfect size in my opinion for the tractor. I do not sense any notice any oscillation of the tractor with this cutter and it is easier to maneuver. The front height of the cutter is also easier to adjust and seemed to have more travel. I am very pleased with this cutter which is the size recommended for the B2410. Paid $ 890 for it in June 2001 (including slip clutch and plastic guards)