bush hog recommendation

[Hay Dude]

new to the forum!!
I have a kubota MX4800 and need a bush hog to do about 8 acres. Its fairly hilly with some exposed rock here and there. What size would you recommend. I borrowed a 4 foot from a friend and it took way longer than what I wanted it to. I want something that will last and a good warranty. Thanks in advanced

Really, it all depends on how many times per year you cut and the thickness/type of growth.
We cut a couple thousand acres per year with large equipment. If you are planning on cutting monthly and maintaining a fairly neat appearance, I’d go with a twin spindle 7’, like the Bush Hog Squealer, etc or similar. More expensive than a single spindle 7’, nice cut though.
Note>If you are thinking semi-weekly cut, an 8’ could be used, but if you let things go too long/thick, it’ll struggle. Many years ago, I ran a Deere MX-8 behind a Kubota M-7040 (~60hp) and if it got into grass/weeds cut only 1 or 2 times per year, it might struggle a bit, so if you are just trying to cut 2-3 times a year and appearance is not a big factor, probably stay with a 6’ cutter to reduce PTO/engine stress.
When you mentioned rocks, you need to equip your mower with stump jumper (or in your case rock jumper) pans to protect your investment. If you are mowing around people and personal property I would also suggest safety chains.
Lots of good brands, but I have had very good luck with Deere. on my 5th one now.

 

[Zebrafive]

I would choose a 6' from a major brand and not the lightest they offer.
My first choice would be the Woods BB720. I like Woods blade attachment system.

 

[JWR]

I have a LandPride 6 footer on my MX5200 and it works great. I wouldn't want another foot

Andy

Andy is exactly right. Do not go for any more than a 6ft. I had a Deere MX6 for 10 years on a 48hp JD (about same power rating as yours.) That is a very robust combination, will handle most anything you need to cut and will cut way, way faster than the 4' you tried for sure. I lack experience with a dual spindle cutter but my feeling is a) there is more to go wrong b) the dual spindle may be better for smooth cutting & not as good for heavier stuff or infrequent mowing and c) I like the simplicity and utility of a good solid 6ft hog. I've run 4' Deere (on a Kubota B2150), 5' Bush hog on another B2150, 6" MX 6 on that JD 4800 and now a 7ft Bush Hog brand on my MF 2660. Every one of them worked well and no serious complaints. A few comments: You cannot beat Bush Hog brand for durability and support. Push comes to shove they will support you even when the dealer won't. You might want to lookout for how the stump jumper is secured. Some lack a nut that is secured by a cotter pin, require very high torque on the nut (like over 600ft-lbs) and sometime they go flying across the field. I veryt much like the looks of Kodiak brand but have not owned one.

Bottom line: get yourself a good name brand 6ft. hog and it will do a good job on that tractor and last you forever.

 

[jacric2005]

We had a 6' on our JD 870. It stuck out on both sides and I tended to hang it up on close-to-fence work. After it gave up the ghost, we replaced it with a 5', which I like much better. I only have about 6 acres to mow, so slightly more time is not an issue. By the way, I would have gone with another JD brush hog, but my dad beat me to it and put a Behlen Country on there. The shaft shield cover broke and they don't sell it separately. I would think JD might have more replacement parts availability. Got a replacement shield from a program in New York that is on a mission to reduce injuries from implement shafts.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Whichever machine sticks out 3 to six inches wider than your tires should work fine!

 

[bigwave]

I have a kubota m4900, have a land pride rcr1872 mower, new in july, 2006, hasn’t been used much would be pleased to sell to you

 

[MagicMM]

Your limiting factors are your hp and your relatively small acreage. A 6' single or an 8' double is about all that your hp will handle, and the 8' is $$$. My situation is almost a duplicate of yours with a 45hp 1530 JD and a 54hp M4900 Kubota. I have a 6' single and a 3008 Bush Hog which is a double. Either one is all that either tractor want.

 

[Robbobshiskabob]

I have a Massey Ferguson 1742 with 42 hp and 32 PTO hp and have a bush hog 296 with a 135 rated HP gear box and suggests a minimum of 45 PTO hp for this brush hog...was worried I'd break something on my tractor but made sure everything was lubed and moving and she spun it wonderfully...going Thur a rut I can feel the weight shift..but the 1100 lb implement is in the 2400lb lift capacity of the 3 point

 

[88bradb]

Andy is exactly right. Do not go for any more than a 6ft. I had a Deere MX6 for 10 years on a 48hp JD (about same power rating as yours.) That is a very robust combination, will handle most anything you need to cut and will cut way, way faster than the 4' you tried for sure. I lack experience with a dual spindle cutter but my feeling is a) there is more to go wrong b) the dual spindle may be better for smooth cutting & not as good for heavier stuff or infrequent mowing and c) I like the simplicity and utility of a good solid 6ft hog. I've run 4' Deere (on a Kubota B2150), 5' Bush hog on another B2150, 6" MX 6 on that JD 4800 and now a 7ft Bush Hog brand on my MF 2660. Every one of them worked well and no serious complaints. A few comments: You cannot beat Bush Hog brand for durability and support. Push comes to shove they will support you even when the dealer won't. You might want to lookout for how the stump jumper is secured. Some lack a nut that is secured by a cotter pin, require very high torque on the nut (like over 600ft-lbs) and sometime they go flying across the field. I veryt much like the looks of Kodiak brand but have not owned one.

Bottom line: get yourself a good name brand 6ft. hog and it will do a good job on that tractor and last you forever.

Got a JD mx5 behind my JD 3039r and it's a beast. Handles brush very well. Have cut up saplings the size of my wrist.

 

[MagicMM]

Yes you can handle a single spindle 6" cutter very well as long as you keep sharp blades under it. The gear box rating will have no effect regarding your tractor's ability to handle it, and you certainly would not have to be concerned about it's strength.