BX24 rear rotary mower size

rnbrn21 · Feb 14, 2013

I just bought a BX24 and will buying a bush hog for it. I believe the manual calls out that it can handle a 5ft mower, does that sound right. What diameter of bushes should I expect to be able to cut down with this size mower. I've let my field go for quite a few years but it was hayed before that so I know there are no nasty surprises out there. Thanks for any thoughts.

ryan08 · Feb 14, 2013

As long as you go slow you should be able to tackle it. I have an industrial "out front" ZT mower with a Kubota 21.5 hp engine and it cuts 2 year growth with a 72" deck as long as I go slow. That being said, I would get to it before it starts rapid seasonal growth.

HeLa · Feb 14, 2013

not answering your question, but in case you haven't already considered it, you might think about adding some skid plates to your machine for cutting in those conditions.

i don't know how the BX24 is underneath, but if it's like my BX25 it's very vulnerable underneath. consider protecting the boots at the driveshaft, the HST fan and the fuel lines. i recently had to have some parts in mine replaced (due to dry-rot, not damage) and this is a LOT of labor.

radioman · Feb 14, 2013

5 ft will work- but if you are buying to keep - do you think you might be using the bush hog somewhere else? If so, getting a 48 incher will be a better bet as you can do heavier work with less stress and overheating of the BX24. Get a skid plate or make one- you really want to protect that silly white plastic fan underneath.

GolfAddict · Feb 14, 2013

My BX24 manual says max 60in rear mower (two or three blade), but only a max 42in rotary cutter (single blade). I haven't used a bush hog on mine, so cannot speak from experience. Personally, if I were to get one, I'd probably push it to a 4 footer but don't think I'd go larger.

Tomtint · Feb 14, 2013

If you have hills, a 60" will have you doing wheelies up them. I had a BX and went with a 42 because of the weight difference.

Grandad4 · Feb 14, 2013

Suggest you stick with something 48" or smaller. That fits with the idea there should be 5 pto hp for every foot of cutter width. Also, the BX size machines are kind of small and light to be handling a 5 ft. cutter. On any kind of uneven terrain or hills, the weight of a 5 ft. cutter would toss the tractor around.

As for what you might be able to cut with it, I don't know exactly, but the low ground clearance and light weight would make it difficult to drive over anything really big. I have toyed with the idea of getting a small cutter for our BX because it would be handy for places the bigger equipment can't reach, but have always held back because it just doesn't seem to be the right machine, especially for a heavy first-time cutting. If you had someone do that first cut with larger equipment, a BX with cutter would probably be fine for maintaining it thereafter. Having good skid plate protection would still be important.

TripleR · Feb 14, 2013

We use a Land Pride 4' rotary cutter on our BX2200 and BX2660, I am pretty sure, too lazy to look it up, but I think the manual recommends no bigger than 42". No way I would use a 5', it might spin one, but too much weight for me. We use a 5' on our Ford 600's.

rnbrn21 · Feb 14, 2013

Now I need some clarification. What is the difference between a rear mower and a rotary cutter. I would of thought that a bush hog would be a rear mower and a flail mower would be a rotary cutter. The only place that I will every cut is mine and my neighbors property. Both are very flat (previously farmed). While mine has overgrown and needs to be tamed(has large bushes but no trees) and hasn't been mowed for 8 years my neighbors has been kept under control. I read in the manual about the rear mower limit of 5' and I though that would include a bush hog.