bush hog or finish mower?

[glasgow135]

hi i have a jd 1530 (45 hp) and i have 35 acres of rolling pasture. i already have a 4 foot bush hog. i want to get a larger mower for my jd. my pasture has a lot of small rocks but nothing huge. would i be better off with an hd finish mower or a bush hog? what is a the biggest bush hog i could run in hilly terrain?
thanks-alfredo

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd stick with the bush hog (rotary cutter). Even a small rock can mess up an RFM.
As far as size...there are other TBNer who can answer better then I can, but I'd look at an 84" cutter (if the 3PH type) or larger if you buy a pull type.

 

[greg_g]

Stick with the rotary cutter. And using the 5 hp rule, 45hp PTO hp should run up to 9 feet of rotary cutter under normal conditions. You might consider one of those 8 footers with the dual tail wheels. Kodiak makes a good twin spindle model, check out their 8 footer here.

//greg//

 

[JD5210]

You might find this URL informative.

TractorData.com - Mowing with tractors

 

[Hollow]

No, you've got plenty of tractor for a bushhog. I wouldn't use a finnishing mower for anything but mowing grass. Even with heavy duty mowers will have problems over torquing blade bolts in thick grass and you'll be stuck trying to get the stud out with ease-outs. It's hard to say without seeing a picture of your land but you should be able to pull something like a Bushhog SQ172 (or anything comparable from other brands) pretty easily on steep hillsides if you want a 3pt. If you go with a trailer type your tractor shouldn't have any problems pulling a twin spindle 8 footer.

 

[k0ua]

I finished mowed over 7 acres at one time. We went around and picked up any rocks that popped up.. and the place looked like a park.. it went from weeds and black berry vines to grass pretty quick.. BUT, one day the front edge of the mower flipped up a good sized rock and one of the mower blades wadded up and the belts smoked in a heartbeat. The blade was a pretzel and the belts ruined. So look out for rocks if you are going to use a finish mower.. There is no room for error with a fixed blade.

James K0UA

 

[Hollow]

You might find this URL informative.

TractorData.com - Mowing with tractors

Neat chart! :thumbsup:

 

[glasgow135]

thanks for all your help, im gonna look for a good 8 foot bush hog

 

[Jesse11]

I finished mowed over 7 acres at one time. We went around and picked up any rocks that popped up.. and the place looked like a park.. it went from weeds and black berry vines to grass pretty quick.. BUT, one day the front edge of the mower flipped up a good sized rock and one of the mower blades wadded up and the belts smoked in a heartbeat. The blade was a pretzel and the belts ruined. So look out for rocks if you are going to use a finish mower.. There is no room for error with a fixed blade.

James K0UA

yes ,you are right ,I have the same experience.

 

[k0ua]

yes ,you are right ,I have the same experience.

I mowed it for about 3 more years after that and never lost another blade, but had to always be vigilant for any rocks that might have come up after winter freeze/thaw cycles. I "sharpened" the blades on a few that I thought were low enough every once in a while.. But all told the place looked nice by finish mowing.. The last mower I had was a BEFCO. Let me tell you that is one good finish mower. Mated to the New Holland TC33DA hydro tractor it was almost fun to mow.

James K0UA