Bush Hog Squealer

[tx_engineer]

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]

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.

 

[TMAC]

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

 

[Rick_Taylor]

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]

<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

 

[tkwoof]

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...

 

[TMAC]

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

 

[TMAC]

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

 

[TMAC]

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]

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