Bush hog size

[mbandrlb]

Hi all,
What is the max size bush hog I would be able to use with a 18 HP tractor? I have looked at a 4' and 5'.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[farmfun]

The common rule around here is 5HP (at the PTO) per foot of cutter.

That said, if your in light grass you have a little more of a margin. Without seeing your environment, it would default to the 4ft unit and it would be pushing it.

 

[greg_g]

Um, your profile says Deutz D4006. That's a 35hp tractor

//greg//

 

[remington270]

Agree, they probably don't make less than 4 footers. I pull a 4 footer with my 27hp tractor and it gets bogged down in the thick stuff.

 

[dkjbama]

We have an '86 Deere 750 with a 20 hp yanmar diesel. It is rated 18hp at the pto. We use a 4ft Bush Hog Squealer rotary cutter. In 1ft tall weeds, ground speed is limited to2.6 mph in 4th gear. In 5 ft tall brush we have to go down to 3rd gear at 1.6 mph or even 2nd at 1.1 mph in really thick stuff. There is no way I would want a bigger hog on this size tractor.

In addition to power is the issue of weight. A quality 5ft hog weighs a good bit more than a 4ft one. It takes 5 suitcase weights on the front of the tractor to make lifting the 4 ft hog comfortable. If you have a loader, this isn't really a concern.

Opinions will differ though. I know a gentleman that used a 5 ft hog behind his Deere 650 and said it did fine. I didn't inquire further, but I can only assume he was using a very lightly built hog and cutting his land in frequent intervals.

 

[dkjbama]

Agree, they probably don't make less than 4 footers. I pull a 4 footer with my 27hp tractor and it gets bogged down in the thick stuff.

Bush Hog makes a 42" cutter in the Squealer line.

 

[mbandrlb]

Um, your profile says Deutz D4006. That's a 35hp tractor

//greg//

I need to change that.I just picked up a 18 HP Mitsubishi.4wd and FEL.

Mike

 

[greg_g]

I need to change that.I just picked up a 18 HP Mitsubishi.4wd and FEL.

Ok, the loader will definitely be of assistance in offsetting the weight of the mower. A lot of Asian tractors are rated by PTO hp. If that's the case with yours, you'll handle a 4' RC just fine - if you limit your mowing to light and medium duty stuff. Yes, a 42" might be better, but - because so few are made - they're typically more expensive per cutting inch. Plus, it might be too narrow for your tractor width. You want a mower that is at least as wide as the tractor, ideally a few inches wider to aid in mowing edges.

//greg//

 

[Bird]

I used a 4' Bush Hog Squealer behind my B7100 Kubota and a 5' Howse 500 behind my B2710 Kubota. They were the right size for me and my uses; yours may vary depending on what you're trying to cut.

 

[nickel plate]

Straight out of my Bush Hog Squealer Series Operator's Manual:

SQ420 10-25 Recommended Tractor HP
SQ480 15-30
SQ600 25-40
SQ720 30-45

For the record, I pull a SQ480 behind my NH TC-40 with obvious ease-the SQ480 is left over from my first tractor, a Ford 8N. I may some day trade it for a larger cutter.