Bush Hog Speed

[LD1]

On paper, it's always ground speed times cutting width.

In reality, ground speed is effectively limited by the degree of roughness of terrain and cutting width is effectively limited by available PTO HP relative to how much material is being cut.

In reality......if you are slowing down because of roughness of terrain.....that means you arent using all of your horsepower at your disposal. That means either 1. you could do the same job with the same mower on a lower HP tractor....or 2. get a bigger cutter.

I have ~40-41HP at the PTO and use an 8' twin spindle. And even that combo I find I have to slow down because of rough terrain more than I want. Sure, I also have to slow down in thick stuff because of power....but thats perfect. Means I am using all the power I have.....rather than being unable to because its too rough.

Honestly.....if wide load and trailering wasnt an issue.....I'd pull a 10 or 12' mower and wouldnt bat an eye. A 12' mower at 4MPH covers the same ground I can mow with my 8' mower at 6mph. One is gonna be a MUCH smoother ride.

 

[CobyRupert]

On paper, it's always ground speed times cutting width.

In reality, ground speed is effectively limited by the degree of roughness of terrain and cutting width is effectively limited by available PTO HP relative to how much material is being cut.

I’d even break it down one step farther, and say with mowers or snowblowers, almost anywhere, etc.. it’s pounds/min that determines horsepower requirements.
This number will be determined by width, ground speed, and height/weight of the material being processed.

 

[RSKY]

I always tell newbies about bush hogs, wider and slower is better, safer, and your back and kidneys will thank you at the end of the day.

RSKY

 

[LD1]

I always tell newbies about bush hogs, wider and slower is better, safer, and your back and kidneys will thank you at the end of the day.

RSKY

I try and do the same....but so many "what size cutter" threads on this forum....so many people always recommend too small IMO....With the justification "might not have enough power...."

 

[RSKY]

I try and do the same....but so many "what size cutter" threads on this forum....so many people always recommend too small IMO....With the justification "might not have enough power...."

I would much rather go slower with a six footer and have an easier ride than faster with a five footer. Have hit too many unseen ditches and ruts at a higher speed and had to hang on for dear life. On the old Ford I always mowed with my feet hooked under the clutch and brake pedals. Over the fifty or so years I bush hogged with that tractor I have limped in the house with the tops of my feet bruised but never got thrown off THAT tractor.

RSKY

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I agree.

It always surprises me when I see posts on TBN about how "fast" some members drive across a field. Whether it's mowing, or tilling, or whatever.

"I can go 5 or 6 mph (or faster) with my 'x' unit".

Lol, Wut? sure maybe across a paved parking lot, or a golf course green (being chased by Bill Murray). But none of the fields that I'm working in will let you get near that speed. You'll fall out of the seat a cripple, and whizzing blood first.

Some of the fields I mow are very rough, and so thick you can't even see the ground. No way am I trying to fly across one of those, to make some kind of "internet record" and bragging rights.

I'm not beating myself up or my equipment to satisfy some "need" to prove how fast I can mow (or till).

 

[stumblinhorse]

I mow with a 68HP@pto tractor with an 8’ dual spindle mower at a top speed of 3.2 mph. The hilly terrain and brush and holes and rocks that is all it can handle. I have and 87” snowblower for the same tractor and that is about all it can handle at 2.5 mph. I can’t imagine it with implements being larger.

 

[LD1]

I mow with a 68HP@pto tractor with an 8’ dual spindle mower at a top speed of 3.2 mph. The hilly terrain and brush and holes and rocks that is all it can handle. I have and 87” snowblower for the same tractor and that is about all it can handle at 2.5 mph. I can’t imagine it with implements being larger.

Is 3.2 mph all "it" can handle....meaning you and machine.....or all it can handle in terms of power?

If I had 68hp at the PTO and didn't have to worry about trailering anywhere....I'd be running a 12' or 15' all day long

 

[stumblinhorse]

Is 3.2 mph all "it" can handle....meaning you and machine.....or all it can handle in terms of power?

If I had 68hp at the PTO and didn't have to worry about trailering anywhere....I'd be running a 12' or 15' all day long

Me and the machine and my wallet. My ground is very rough and hilly. And I am mowing sage right now. If I went faster or bigger I think I would break something. A 12 or 15’ seems huge. I like the tucked in 8‘ dual. I don’t have much flat area. Yesterday’s mowing