Bush hog size

[Solo]

Woods still makes a 42" mower. RCC42 Rotary Cutters
I used a Bush Hog SQ420 for 10 years behind my TC18. Loved it. Now that I have a bigger tractor I'm going to get a Bush Hog SQ600.

Solo

 

[RSKY]

I have a Kioti CK20 with 22-hp and 16.2-hp at the PTO. It has the HST transmission. The book says 5ft max rotary mower with HST and 4ft max gear. Dealer said this was because with the HST you will adjust ground speed quicker and not bog tractor down. I have had no problems pulling 5ft Howse mower. But, the tractor is very slow in low range. Also I have a front end loader to balance out the mowers weight and the little Kioti has stronger hydraulics than most any other tractor in its horsepower range. I have mowed thru vines and briars thick enough that the tractor was stopped, tires spinning on dry ground, and had to push the vines down with the bucket to drive over them. And I have cut down 2" diameter saplings with the mower.

I wouldn't recommend buying a heavy duty mower for your small tractor. It would be a waste of money. I was tempted but sanity and my bank account resulted in the purchase of the light duty Howse. I have yet to break a shear bolt and I am beginning to think the little Kioti doesn't have the power to actually snap one. The mower has stalled the engine when striking 1.) a log hidden in tall grass, 2.) a crosstie hidden in tall grass 3.) a metal fence post hidden in tall grass. No damage done except to my pride. Anything else that I can get the tractor to push over, I can chop up.

Whatever you get don't expect to travel at any great speed mowing.

RSKY

 

[greg_g]

The book says 5ft max rotary mower with HST and 4ft max gear.

That sounds backwards. Hydrostatic transmissions deliver fewer horsepower to the PTO shaft than do geared transmission (given the same engine horsepower). I'd think 4 foot max for the HST and 5 foot max for the geared.

//greg//

 

[manganos]

I have a 42 inch woods. It is for sale too if u are close VA.

 

[RSKY]

Nope, 5' for HST, 4' for gear. HST very slow in low range on CK 20.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

As a rule of thumb if a tractor can do a good job with the weight of the bush hog on steep hills, etc then will cut with it OK.

I knew one airport that used 861 Fords with 10' bush hogs just fine but for general use 5' would have worked much better.

With 18 HP 4' would be better in heavy/hilly stuff I expect.

 

[Marveltone]

...Or, you can split the difference and go 4-1/2 ft. I use the Woods HC54. It has a 54" cut, weighs less than 500lbs, is rated for 15-40 PTO hp, and is available in several favorite tractor colors. I pull mine with 19-20 PTO hp (depending on who does the measuring) and it just covers my wheels.

Joe