bush hog???????

[whitearrow]

hey fellas.i am about to purchase a bush hog.just wondering what you guys think of the bush hog model 268 6 foot medium duty brush cutter?
thanks,
whitearrow->>>-------------->

 

[Glenn9643]

If you're referring to a Bushhog model 286, I've had one for about 400 hours use and have been very satisfied.

 

[Crutches]

I love my bush hog model 305. It is for heavy duty and I got my moneys worth from it. I am a fan of bush hog but your choice in rotary mowers depends on the HP of your tractor and what you will be cutting. Since I don't have that information, I can only say if your HP is big enough for a 6 footer and you are going to cut grass and medium size brush then you will do well. There are a lot of farmers where I live and I only know one that does not use Bush Hog. You have to pay some bucks but you get what you pay for.

 

[SonnieP]

I’ve been doing some bush hog research and have compared the specs of several models. I cannot comment on the actual performance of any of these.

Here’s what I came up with on the 6’ comparison between Brown, Kodiak, Bush Hog, and Rhino… they all appeared to be a few of the better cutters.

If anyone knows the specs for the N/A’s… please let me know and I will include them in the chart.
If there are any corrections that can be verified, please provide and I will correct.

 

[gamble77]

These are top notch bush hogs. In my opinion Bush Hog brand cutters are the best out there, everybody else is just playing catch up with them. Two year warranty on the box, they are awesome machines that you will get years and years of trouble free use out of.

 

[Crutches]

Hey SonnieP,

Nice job on the chart. People like you are what makes this such an outstanding site for those of us that own tractors. Keep on keepin on!

 

[JRobyn]

Love my 286. About 50 hrs use so far, not a single problem.

 

[1bush2hog]

IMHO -

Bush Hog quality is OK, but their prices are too high -

You could purchase a Rhino or Brown and be equally, if not more satisfied with quality, and still have $ in you pocket.

I compared the same 3 mfg. about two years ago and went with the Brown Mfg. RC. - with no regrets so far. My first choice would have been a Rhino, but could not find a local dealer.

 

[N80]

I have found the purchasing of rotary cutters to be a bit of a dilemma from a noob standpoint. The low end units are very appealing from an economy standpoint and some of them stack up extremely well......on paper. But I think its is clear that there is more to it than simple specs. Anecdotal experience with the low end mowers seems mixed. Some swear by them, some swear at them. Folks with high end mowers say bad things about them but don't necessarily have experience with them. I guess a lot of it boils down to build quality and quality control. I would expect the big name units to have all that and would expect the lower end units not to.

I would also think the design and construction of the gear box would be a big issue, but I don't know how to assess that either. I did notice that the KK models I've looked at use Timken bearings. In the past, Timken had a good reputation but they may make junk now for all I know.

The more confused I get the more I'm inclined to spend the extra money on a top brand, but in some cases you can spend TWICE as much for a unit with similar specs.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[heehaw]

i recently went with the rhino tw72, with chain guards, cost $1825, very happy with my decision. the dealer only sold bush hog and rhino brands, because he said he didn't have any problems with those 2 brands.
heehaw

 

[mikim]

When I was buying I narrowed my choice down to the BH286 and the Woods BB600 ... both were very good and I had a hard time deciding which way to go. One of my major factors was the construction of the deck. I had an old Rhino that the top was rusted to the point of having holes through ... I liked the way the 2 I mention were designed to not let water sit on 'em and they were both heavy steel. I ended up with the woods only because I bought it with the purchase of my tractor and woods is what the dealer I bought from sold and he gave me a good price on it. I'm sure the 286 would have worked just as well - but this woods is killer! --

 

[40_acre_mule]

I just recently bought a new bushog. Previously, I had a Big Bee light duty ($600). After 6 years, the top deck was rusting through; the sides were bent and cracking, the top brace had to be rewelded, and the wheel mount pivot shaft was getting worn. I have 6 different dealers in my area, so I was able to inspect in person the following...
Bushog Squealer, John Deere, Kodiak, King Kutter, Gator, Big Bee and Land Pride, and two others (can't recall the brand).
Prices ran from $469 to $2100. Anything under $900 seemed to be made from much thinner metal and under $600 lacked decent bracing. The Kodiak and the Gator were the cheapest and looked it. The John Deere and the Bushog were the most expensive. In terms of sturdiness, the JD, Bushog, and Land Pride seemed about equal and best of the bunch.
I chose the Land Pride for the following reasons...
1. Price for the quality ($1350)
2. Had a bigger gear box than all others. (I don't know if what's inside is any better, but the box looks much more substantial).
3. Seemed as sturdy or better than JD and BH.
4. The under-rails appeared thicker.
5. It only weighs 711 lbs.
6. I already have a Land Pride finishing mower that has served well for several years without trouble.
Your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( IMHO -You could purchase a Rhino or Brown and be equally, if not more satisfied with quality, and still have $ in you pocket. )</font>

I don't think usage was ever mentioned.

If cutting only knee-high grass 4-5 times a year and kept clean, even an el-cheapo will probably perform well and last a lifetime. If used commercially, for brush cutting, or on unfamiliar ground with hidden obstacles, a good tough brand would be a must. Extra toughness usually comes at a premium, as we all know.

 

[DmansPadge]

I have a Modern hog and I love it. With the galvanized deck... rust is a non-issue.

 

[SonnieP]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just recently bought a new bushog. Previously, I had a Big Bee light duty ($600). After 6 years, the top deck was rusting through; the sides were bent and cracking, the top brace had to be rewelded, and the wheel mount pivot shaft was getting worn. I have 6 different dealers in my area, so I was able to inspect in person the following...
Bushog Squealer, John Deere, Kodiak, King Kutter, Gator, Big Bee and Land Pride, and two others (can't recall the brand).
Prices ran from $469 to $2100. Anything under $900 seemed to be made from much thinner metal and under $600 lacked decent bracing. The Kodiak and the Gator were the cheapest and looked it. The John Deere and the Bushog were the most expensive. In terms of sturdiness, the JD, Bushog, and Land Pride seemed about equal and best of the bunch.
I chose the Land Pride for the following reasons...
1. Price for the quality ($1350)
2. Had a bigger gear box than all others. (I don't know if what's inside is any better, but the box looks much more substantial).
3. Seemed as sturdy or better than JD and BH.
4. The under-rails appeared thicker.
5. It only weighs 711 lbs.
6. I already have a Land Pride finishing mower that has served well for several years without trouble.
Your mileage may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )</font>

I saw a Landpride RCR 6' model today at Capital Tractor in Montgomery, AL. when I picked up my box blade. I think this is their heavy duty model... I know it was extremely expensive. I was impressed although I believe it was only 10 gauge steel and for that price I'd rather see 7 gauge.

Someone must undoubtedly be manufacturing two different Kodiaks out there because the Kodiak 6' model I saw at Pound Tractor in Florala, AL. was built every bit as good or better than that Landpride I saw today and the Kodiak is a lot less expensive. Kodiak is one of the few that use 7 gauge steel on their HD cutters and it's one of the heaviest available with a fairly nice size gear box too. They use thicker sides than many others and have excellent bracing. If he'd had a 7' model in stock I would have bought one... but he didn't and wasn't going to be ordering anymore for a while (has to order so many to make it worth the shipping cost). I could have drove 5-6 hours to pick one up but I opted to go for the little better built Brown that was much closer to me, although a little more expensive too.

 

[Larstan]

I have a Howse 60 inch, paid a little under 600 for it. No complaints, I have thrashed it pretty good. I have 52 acres with a very diverse landscape, rolling hills,creek,wetland and a ton of mole hills. I have knocked down a stand of 4" saplings and every size below that, hit rocks and cut 5' tall fields of weeds and grass. Changed the gear oil as soon as I brought it home, greased the drive shaft and it has not given me a single problem. Thats my experience so I have no problem with Howse implements, also have Howse PHD and have been using it to dig the pier foundations for my barn, same story..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[1bush2hog]

<font color="blue"> I don't think usage was ever mentioned.
</font>

Maybe usage wasn't mentioned, however 'BH286', as well as 'medium duty', was mentioned. Thus the basis for my comments.

I was just providing personal feedback on several other similar models I was familiar with, but certainly not discounting others I did not mention.