Trailblazer
Member
Your $990 price on the SQ720 with slip clutch option seems good to me. I bought one with just shear pins for $950 last Feb. I find the 72" width easy to maneuver and am glad I didn't get a narrower one.
Bush Hog Squealer
- Thread starter TMAC
- Start date
- Views: 14348
techinNY
Silver Member
Ihave a TC40D and run a 72" bushhog without a problem other than the front end is a little light without the loader on, nothing a couple front end weights won't cure.
stephan
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2004
- Messages
- 170
- Location
- NSW, Australia
- Tractor
- Lamborghini 450 Runner, SAME Tiger 70, Kioti CS2610
Couple of things you could consider.
1. Contractor. Perhaps the cost of getting a contractor in to "rotary cut" (we call it slashing) between now and the finished construction might be a lot less then the cost of the rotary cutter. This saving could be put towards the finishing mower.
2. Hire. Perhaps you could hire the rotary cutter each time you need it until you buy the finishing mower.
I suspect what may happen is that once you have you house and you use the finishing mower regularly you will find little or no use for the rotary cutter. I have a 40HP tractor and use a 5 foot "rotary cutter" without issue and I maintain about 15 acres (of 113) with it but the land is too rough for a finishing mower. I am considering getting a finishing mower to do around the house rather than a ride on.
I think the attachment principal is to match the implement with the tractor with a comfort margin at the tractor end. The 5 foot works good for me though the front weights would be great. One last thing I've learnt is that the faster the implement and the heavier the work the more fragile it seems to be..
1. Contractor. Perhaps the cost of getting a contractor in to "rotary cut" (we call it slashing) between now and the finished construction might be a lot less then the cost of the rotary cutter. This saving could be put towards the finishing mower.
2. Hire. Perhaps you could hire the rotary cutter each time you need it until you buy the finishing mower.
I suspect what may happen is that once you have you house and you use the finishing mower regularly you will find little or no use for the rotary cutter. I have a 40HP tractor and use a 5 foot "rotary cutter" without issue and I maintain about 15 acres (of 113) with it but the land is too rough for a finishing mower. I am considering getting a finishing mower to do around the house rather than a ride on.
I think the attachment principal is to match the implement with the tractor with a comfort margin at the tractor end. The 5 foot works good for me though the front weights would be great. One last thing I've learnt is that the faster the implement and the heavier the work the more fragile it seems to be..
Attachments
stephan
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2004
- Messages
- 170
- Location
- NSW, Australia
- Tractor
- Lamborghini 450 Runner, SAME Tiger 70, Kioti CS2610
stephan
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2004
- Messages
- 170
- Location
- NSW, Australia
- Tractor
- Lamborghini 450 Runner, SAME Tiger 70, Kioti CS2610
BrettW
Platinum Member
Those are some big ground hogs you got there. Granny would have to get out the big back pot to cook'em up right. Remember the rule, "If it eats, you can eat it!" bw
stephan
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2004
- Messages
- 170
- Location
- NSW, Australia
- Tractor
- Lamborghini 450 Runner, SAME Tiger 70, Kioti CS2610
Gotta catch the buggers first and they jump a 5 foot fence in a single bound.
rdam
Gold Member
I still think your better off with the rotary cutter, especially for "pasture". If you keep the blades sharp and go slow, the difference in quality of cut is minimal. The Squealer will certainly be more durable and require less maintenance, and like someone else said, if the grass gets too high, its a non-issue.
Before my "new" tractor, I used a Yanmar 1500 and 4 foot bushhog to cut my "first" 5 acres. If I went slow enough, it came out looking like 5 acres (re-claimed pasture) of front lawn...Nice! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Before my "new" tractor, I used a Yanmar 1500 and 4 foot bushhog to cut my "first" 5 acres. If I went slow enough, it came out looking like 5 acres (re-claimed pasture) of front lawn...Nice! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
2003Pilot
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2003
- Messages
- 53
- Location
- Central New Jersey (Somerset County)
- Tractor
- Kubota L-3130 HST
Trailblazer:
How does your 3130 HST handle the 6 foot Bush Hog?
I have a 3130 HST as well, and right now I have a Woods 5 foot Brush Bull. I'm thinking of trading it in for a 6 footer (BB 72). It is mainly for mowing a 4 acre field which is all grass.
Gary
How does your 3130 HST handle the 6 foot Bush Hog?
I have a 3130 HST as well, and right now I have a Woods 5 foot Brush Bull. I'm thinking of trading it in for a 6 footer (BB 72). It is mainly for mowing a 4 acre field which is all grass.
Gary
tx_engineer
New member
2003 Pilot
The salesman at the local dealership has a 3130 HST and he pulls a 6' Bush Hog with it. He admits that according to the specs he shouldn't, but he says he has no trouble with it and likes it because it gets outside of the tires and lets you cut close to fences etc.
The salesman at the local dealership has a 3130 HST and he pulls a 6' Bush Hog with it. He admits that according to the specs he shouldn't, but he says he has no trouble with it and likes it because it gets outside of the tires and lets you cut close to fences etc.
tx_engineer
New member
BTW, I have both the 6' Squealer with the slip clutch, and the RDTH72 finish mower. I have been happy with both... well that is except for last weekend when my wife stuck one of the finish mower blades in the dirt; and I do mean stuck. Can't cut close on rough ground and not run into a few "bumps." Luckily, only the bolt holding the blade sheared and I should be able to put it back in service this week.
Trailblazer
Member
Gary,
The L3130 handles the 6' hog easily. I was concerned that it would be too big on the steep hills I have to cut, but my dealer said it fits the tractor well. Now I'm glad I didn't go with the 5' size - it gets the job done 20% faster. I don't know what the Woods BB72 weighs, but if it's similar to the SQ720 (632lbs), you should be fine.
The L3130 handles the 6' hog easily. I was concerned that it would be too big on the steep hills I have to cut, but my dealer said it fits the tractor well. Now I'm glad I didn't go with the 5' size - it gets the job done 20% faster. I don't know what the Woods BB72 weighs, but if it's similar to the SQ720 (632lbs), you should be fine.
OP
TMAC
Gold Member
Yeah Guys,
I think I'm going to stick with the rotary cutter for now and the finishing mower later on. I'm not planning on finish mowing the whole 12 acres or so of field. I might even plant some of it in wild flowers. I don't think I want to abuse my finish mower later on mowing it down every so often. I think I'll have other consistent jobs I will use the rotary cutter for as well. I have a few thickets on the property to either clear off or maintain so I think the rotary cutter is one of my better intrests. Thanks for all your help gentlemen. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I think I'm going to stick with the rotary cutter for now and the finishing mower later on. I'm not planning on finish mowing the whole 12 acres or so of field. I might even plant some of it in wild flowers. I don't think I want to abuse my finish mower later on mowing it down every so often. I think I'll have other consistent jobs I will use the rotary cutter for as well. I have a few thickets on the property to either clear off or maintain so I think the rotary cutter is one of my better intrests. Thanks for all your help gentlemen. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Rick_Taylor
Silver Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2003
- Messages
- 109
- Location
- Decatur, TX
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT-425, Kubota L4330HSTC Kubota RTV
Have you looked at the SQ84? It's a 7' wide, two blade Squealer. The nice thing is it's much shorter than a similarly sized single bladed bush hog, only about 5' deep. I've used mine for over 6 years and have worked it hard clearing and mowing. I have run it with a 50 hp Mahindra and my present NH TC-40D. My Kubota dealer says an L3430HSTC should also do fine with it as long as I had the FEL on for balance. Min hp requirement is 25hp. I've always had to sharpen blades on the deck since I can't get the blade bolts loose
OkieG
Veteran Member
<font color="blue"> I've always had to sharpen blades on the deck since I can't get the blade bolts loose </font>
My SQ600 is much smaller than your unit, but the blade bolts are about impossible to loosen with hand tools. I've never been able to do it. The blade bolts just laugh at my 1/2" air wrench. Last year I sprang for a 3/4" air wrench and bought the socket (1 13/16" I think). Even with my small compressor, the bolts come off easily now. I don't use the 3/4" air wrench for anything else...yet. But, I justified the purchase for ease of blade sharpening, and the larger tractor (hope, hope, hope!!) I will have someday that will need the larger air tool. I'm dreaming. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
OkieG
My SQ600 is much smaller than your unit, but the blade bolts are about impossible to loosen with hand tools. I've never been able to do it. The blade bolts just laugh at my 1/2" air wrench. Last year I sprang for a 3/4" air wrench and bought the socket (1 13/16" I think). Even with my small compressor, the bolts come off easily now. I don't use the 3/4" air wrench for anything else...yet. But, I justified the purchase for ease of blade sharpening, and the larger tractor (hope, hope, hope!!) I will have someday that will need the larger air tool. I'm dreaming. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
OkieG
tkwoof
New member
I just purchased an SQ-480 and used it to mow a 2 acre field. Snapped the **** shear pin right before I finished. and finding a new shear pin at the dealer has been fun, It's a 1/2"X3" bolt, and they were out, This was after he eliminated about 10 different possibilities for the shear pin my pto shaft used. Pain in the butt. I have actually heard of guys putting a 1/2"x3" grade 5 bolt in there in place of the standard shear pin. They must be rich to be able to destroy gear boxes every time they hit a stump or other obsticle.....
anyway, the SQ- series is a little on the light weight side of things but for the money it isn't a bad deal. I would have preferred the clutch, but that was more $$$. Mine actually cost me $850 (don't laugh I live in NJ) and that was the best price I could find, heck even tractor supply was that much for less of a mower. anyway if you can afford a larger, more substantial mower than the SQ series I would get it. You may find that the initial price break is overridden by the overall down-time, repairs, and life expectancy of the mower...
anyway, the SQ- series is a little on the light weight side of things but for the money it isn't a bad deal. I would have preferred the clutch, but that was more $$$. Mine actually cost me $850 (don't laugh I live in NJ) and that was the best price I could find, heck even tractor supply was that much for less of a mower. anyway if you can afford a larger, more substantial mower than the SQ series I would get it. You may find that the initial price break is overridden by the overall down-time, repairs, and life expectancy of the mower...
OP
TMAC
Gold Member
Rick I have seen the RDTH84 finish mower by Bush Hog but I don't think the dealer had a SQ84 on the lot. I'll check it out. Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
OP
TMAC
Gold Member
tkwoof, I think the Squealer will do fine for me. I've decided to go shear pin. I'll probably make sure I get a few pins before I leave the dealer with my purchase. Hopefully he has some in stock.
Dealer suggested that slip clutches are just more maintenance. They tend to lock up if setting over winter and moisture gets in them. You can burn them up, they can corrode if not kept greased properly and most people don't bother adjusting them correctly. His point was,-- is it worth the extra money? He sales a lot of slip clutches to the State. He asked them if they bother adjusting the clutch they said they never bother. He said without adjusting it properly will lead to excessive wear and tear on the tractor along with the cutter. It's like having no protection at all if the clutch is just a little to tight. Just what the dealer suggested and he's been in business for years.
But I don't know from experience so I can't argue any points.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Dealer suggested that slip clutches are just more maintenance. They tend to lock up if setting over winter and moisture gets in them. You can burn them up, they can corrode if not kept greased properly and most people don't bother adjusting them correctly. His point was,-- is it worth the extra money? He sales a lot of slip clutches to the State. He asked them if they bother adjusting the clutch they said they never bother. He said without adjusting it properly will lead to excessive wear and tear on the tractor along with the cutter. It's like having no protection at all if the clutch is just a little to tight. Just what the dealer suggested and he's been in business for years.
But I don't know from experience so I can't argue any points.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
OP
TMAC
Gold Member
Rick I just checked the specs out on the SQ840 and the SQ84T here. Compared to the one I think your talking about (SQ84T) the blade tip speed is 11,500 fpm where as the SQ720 blade tip speed is 14,963. I wonder what makes the blade speed so much different? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
OkieG
Veteran Member
woof,
What is an LK3054? I don't get out much, so pardon my ignorance.
I made sure not to leave the dealership without a 3 pack of new shear-bolts when I bought my SQ600. That's been the best insurance against ever breaking one. If I didn't have an extra, I'd be breaking them all the time! Too bad NJ isn't closer to OK. I've got one or two bolts to spare.
My tractor came with me when I went shopping for a brush hog. I hooked up the next heavier BushHog model from the SQ, but it was too heavy for my tractor to comfortably handle.
I agree with you. For a "light duty" model, the SQ series is better built than some I've seen. Mine has required some maintenance, but overall is holding up well. I think I made the right choice getting what I did.
OkieG
What is an LK3054? I don't get out much, so pardon my ignorance.
I made sure not to leave the dealership without a 3 pack of new shear-bolts when I bought my SQ600. That's been the best insurance against ever breaking one. If I didn't have an extra, I'd be breaking them all the time! Too bad NJ isn't closer to OK. I've got one or two bolts to spare.
My tractor came with me when I went shopping for a brush hog. I hooked up the next heavier BushHog model from the SQ, but it was too heavy for my tractor to comfortably handle.
I agree with you. For a "light duty" model, the SQ series is better built than some I've seen. Mine has required some maintenance, but overall is holding up well. I think I made the right choice getting what I did.
OkieG
