Mowing Bush Hog or Finish mower

[Yanmar_1700]

I have about 2 acres and I am looking into something to cut the grass with my Yanmar 1700. I had originally considered a finish mower. I was recently told that a bush hog with sharp blades will do a comparable job if you do not expect golf course smooth. In addition you can use it to rip up palmetto and other rough stuff. The bush hog cost is about half of a finish mower and it looks like it is easier to maintain. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[86turbodsl]

I'm currently cutting my yard with a bush hog. To be honest, the cut is pretty rough. I've sharpened my blade, but it doesn't help much. I find it leaves stripes. Bush hogs don't have high vacuum on the cutting blade, so the grass isn't lifted as it's cut. I end up with stripes where the wheels on the tractor flatten the grass, and not lift it during cuts. My 0.02.

 

[mark777]

Bush hogging does an excellent job of cutting overgrown or neglected property. It is indiscriment and cuts anything up to certain thicknesses. And almost no changes to your tractor is required.
Higly manicured areas require the finish mower. And even good used ones are expensive, requires tire changes (turff or diamond tread) and both should be protected with ORC. for your tractors sake.
IMHO One implement is not suited to do both and if your pocket book allows you need both; trade labor with buddy or barrow bush hog to get close to what you can maintain with the finish mower as roughing out wild growth with a finish mower is very hard on your tractor and mower. Hope this helps. regards, Mark

 

[Dingbat]

I'm also cutting about 2.5 acres with a 1700. I bought the finish mower (Italian...can't think of the name now) from Agri Supply and have been very happy with it. Nice cut, even when I let stuff get a little too high. And, even though I know I should not, I've used it as a Hog on light brush...I check for stumps etc first, back in with the mower high and then lower it slow. If you don't over do that on the palmettos I think you get the best of both worlds. IMHO...Steve

 

[Soundguy]

Lots of us use a hog to cut 'lawn'. it makes a 'shaggy' lawn cut.. not a golf course.. or even a riding lawnmower cut.

If the hog is wider than your rear wheels, the printing usually is not a problem.. least it never has been for me.

I'm currently cutting about 2 ac of my and my neighbors lawn with either my NAA w 5' KK hog.. or a 66 IH cub with a 44" IH rotary cutter.

Both make a cut that is nearly identical to his jd lawn mower.... we are cutting (tall) pensicola bahia.. it sends up black tops about 12-18" tall within 5 days of cutting it.. even though it is a sparse grass.. Material is clay/sand.

If you have flortam.. you may not get as good a cut as that is a dense non stemmy grass.. mainly leaves... rotary cutters work better on the grass that has low lying leaves.. and tall stems to whack off at 3" or 4"

Soundguy

 

[Yanmar_1700]

Thank You all for your advice. Since I have never used either a bush hog or a finish mower, I'll start with the hog. That way if I screw something up, it's not so expensive.
I may be buying another Yanmar. I have found a good deal on a YM 2000. The wife says it is ok. I explained it with the "Investment Angle". I'm sure most of you all know how that works.

 

[sweettractors]

I think you are on the right track. Here is a picture of our Brush Hog for the smaller CUTS. Comes in 38-42 and 60 inch cut--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Used Cultivators.Planters, Plows and Disc Harrows in Stock*