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.

 

[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