Bush Hog GPF 50 idea

[Dirtysailor]

I am relatively new to the tractor world and just bought a JD 2210 w/o rear PTO (it was ordered that way originally). I have a Bush Hog GPF 50 Flail Mower I was using at my house towed behind an ATV. It is a self powered unit with a 10 HP Tecumseh electric start engine on it. I was thinking about removing the ATV coupling and setting it up for a 3PH. I can lift both ends of it by hand, so could I remove the wheels on it and hang it from the 3PH on the tractor w/o concern over weight?

I was also thinking of adding beefier flails to it. Does this seem like a good re-life for the flail mower or would it be better sold outright?

I have read the good reviews of flails in other threads on here. Does anyone have any info on the GPF 50? Bush hog is able to get new flails for it, but they never return my messages about an owner's manual or parts list.

 

[Transit]

If I were you, I would keep the GPF 50 as is, uses it where needed pull behind the tractor with an offset arm and get a used Brush Hog for the heavy work. The rule of thumb is 1 foot of width for each 5 hp of PTO hp. Your looking at a 4-5 ft wide hog.

 

[kennyd]

I am relatively new to the tractor world and just bought a JD 2210 w/o rear PTO (it was ordered that way originally).

Can you post pictures of the rear of the machine? The rear and mid-PTO's where standard on those, NEVER heard of a tractor without a rear PTO.

 

[Transit]

Sorry, I missed that without a rear PTO. Dose it have any PTO, maybe one up front? Not having a PTO is a big handicap. Could one be added?

 

[Dirtysailor]

According to dealer who took the tractor on trade it was sent from factory w/o rear PTO. It has a mid PTO for the MMM. I was not concerned with the lack of rear PTO as it has the limited class one 3PH and I have seen some issues with the rear PTO's failing on these tractors.

Anyhow I already have the flail mower and it is self-powered already, so using the 3PH I could adapt it to hook up like most flails do to the 3PH and then continue to use it. I could tow it behind the tractor like the ATV was but it tends to be top heavy and bounces alot on my old corn field piece of property.

My thoughts were removing the wheels on the flail mower used for towing it would stabilize it more and also allow for heavier flails/hammers installation. Then I could dethatch as well as still cut heavier brush down with it.

On a side note the dealer I bought the 2210 from looked into installing the rear PTO when they took it on trade, and their cost was going to be $3500 just for the parts, so I am not going down that road since the main purpose for the tractor is mowing and FEL work. I can post pictures later.

I paid about $550 for the flail mower and am not sure in this economy that I will get that back out of it, so I thought I would alter it so it can still be used.

 

[curvecrazy]

Anyone familiar with these Bush Hog Brand GPF50 50" flail mowers? I'm looking at one and the cut is pretty terrible frankly with material buildup on the dull and rusty blades. I tried to call the bush hog dealer to get blade prices and the guy told me $5 a blade. LOL OK THEN. Flailmaster doesn't seem to have a cross reference on the blades but they do have a blade they sell which may fit for $.55 each. Unfortunately, the mower is not close to me to determine fit and I would have to drive another 30 miles to check the blades for a number or whatnot.

Anyone with experience with these mowers? It's a self powered 8 hp pull behind flail mower.. relatively heavy duty construction. Seems to run good. Maybe I can remove all the blades and sharpen them myself to get it to cut? As it is it is set high and the guy is selling it because it would not cut the field grass he had hoped to cut and he says it is a finish mower but it cuts that like crap too from what I see.

Thoughts?