Mowing GC2600 Bush Hog

JasonHall · Jun 4, 2011

I am thinking very hard on getting a GC2600 (or maybe GC2400), However, I would like to know how it can handle a 4' or maybe a 5' Bush Hog.

I have about 15 acers to care for and will need to cut some light brush and thick briars, not just grass.

Any thoughts or experience? Or should I just go for the 1529.

BTW, First time poster.

Thanks
Jason

madhatter · Jun 4, 2011

JasonHall said:
I am thinking very hard on getting a GC2600 (or maybe GC2400), However, I would like to know how it can handle a 4' or maybe a 5' Bush Hog.

I have about 15 acers to care for and will need to cut some light brush and thick briars, not just grass.

Any thoughts or experience? Or should I just go for the 1529.

BTW, First time poster.

Thanks
Jason

I bought a 4' Massey brush mower for my 2310 and it handles it very well, only issue is when you first engage the pto, it shakes the #@$@#$ out of the tractor till the blades are extended and rotating. I think jumping up to a 5' would be ok, but would think it would take even more to get the blades rotating and the fact the 4' makes the front end pretty light, so the 5' would be even heavier.

One tip i do have, be careful going in the woods and where you drive. I had a stick pop up and take out 3 blades on my HST fan. A pain to replace !

Wacky · Jun 4, 2011

I own a XB King Kutter 4', it is great for pasture maintenance and general brush cutting. I don't have a lot of tractor shudder when mine starts, but there is some. I just engage it at an idle, then idle up. I generally don't need the RPM's up to the recommended 540, I just cruise along and adjust the throttle accordingly. The only thing I don't like about the KK is the way the back of it comes to a point. I have folded it down once or twice trying to back over brush. I probably will either reinforce the back with some angle iron or cut the back off to have a discharge chute with angle reinforced edges if need be. It, otherwise, is pretty stout and light. Build quality is good, just not sure why the back of the unit comes to a point?

Rob2310 · Jun 5, 2011

I have a 4 ft behind my gc2610 and it's fine on level ground. If you are on a hill you need to be care or put the loader on, as it is light in the front. A 5ft might work, but would struggle the machine.

Kal130 · Jun 5, 2011

I too am looking at the possibility of purchasing a bush hog for my GC2400. I think I would prefer to get the 48" flex hitch King Kutter (L-48-40-P-FH). It seems a bit more substantial than the XB model. Wondering if anyone is using a non-XB Kutter on a GC? From Wacky's post I think those of you with the TLB probably have no choice due to limited lower bar spread. My lower bars will really spread since I just have the TL. Thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences?

madhatter · Jun 5, 2011

Kal130 said:
I too am looking at the possibility of purchasing a bush hog for my GC2400. I think I would prefer to get the 48" flex hitch King Kutter (L-48-40-P-FH). It seems a bit more substantial than the XB model. Wondering if anyone is using a non-XB Kutter on a GC? From Wacky's post I think those of you with the TLB probably have no choice due to limited lower bar spread. My lower bars will really spread since I just have the TL. Thoughts? Suggestions? Experiences?

I am using a Massey 4' mower, which is a standard cat 1 (non XB). The spread is fine on a TLB ( cat 1 ), issue is with these tractors is the lift height due to rim/tire size.

Kal130 · Jun 5, 2011

madhatter said:
I am using a Massey 4' mower, which is a standard cat 1 (non XB). The spread is fine on a TLB ( cat 1 ), issue is with these tractors is the lift height due to rim/tire size.

Looked at them at rural king today. I can see that being an issue. The flex hitch model does seem to sit lower than the non.

JasonHall · Jun 5, 2011

Thanks folks for the information. I cerainly think I will stick to the 4' size.

Jason

LBrown59 · Jun 5, 2011

JasonHall said:
I cerainly think I will stick to the 4' size.

As well you should for a 5 footer is much to large for your tractor.

Kal130 · Jun 14, 2011

Anybody have the 4' flexhitch king kutter? Or maybe kingkutterrep knows? What is the elevation of the pins for the lower arms when the unit is on the ground? Hard to tell when the unit is broke down for shipping. I would much prefer this unit over the XB model so I really would like to know if it would work on a GC non-TLB.

Mock1 · Jun 14, 2011

I have a 4 foot Buhler behind a GC2610. As others have said, a five foot would be a struggle.

Topkicker · Jun 17, 2011

I run a 5ft on my 1529. I think it would be more of a weight issue than a HP issue with your GC. My 1529 does not have much more power than your GC. I was told a 6ft cutter would work with mine but I'm glad I went with the 5ft. I like the cutter being the same width as the tire track of the tractor.

FarmerCog · Jun 25, 2011

I recently purchased a King Kutter 48" brush cutter and am using it on a 2610. Only problem I have encountered is trying to cut too much too soon. I had my deck set too low and cut too much too soon. I adjusted it higher and then make 2 - 3 passes to get to ~ 2" above ground level. Otherwise the tractor works fine with the 48" cutter.

Kal130 · Jun 25, 2011

FarmerCog said:
I recently purchased a King Kutter 48" brush cutter and am using it on a 2610. Only problem I have encountered is trying to cut too much too soon. I had my deck set too low and cut too much too soon. I adjusted it higher and then make 2 - 3 passes to get to ~ 2" above ground level. Otherwise the tractor works fine with the 48" cutter.

What model did you get? I'm assuming that with the 2610 you had to get the XB?

FarmerCog · Jun 27, 2011

I purchased the L-G-48-40-P model.

Kal130 · Jun 27, 2011

FarmerCog said:
I purchased the L-G-48-40-P model.

Are you able to get good lift on that model?

FarmerCog · Jun 27, 2011

With the rear wheel mounting bracket at the mid position I can get ~ 16" at the rear of the mower with PTO at max.

Gator6x4 · Jun 27, 2011

Topkicker said:
I run a 5ft on my 1529. I think it would be more of a weight issue than a HP issue with your GC. My 1529 does not have much more power than your GC. I was told a 6ft cutter would work with mine but I'm glad I went with the 5ft. I like the cutter being the same width as the tire track of the tractor.

Rotary Cutters are Dangerous...Rotary Cutters are Dangerous. The 2400, 2600 and 1529 are nice tractors. I personally would not feel comfortable operating one with a five or six foot rotary cutter on the rear. The weight of the rotary would in my opinion make the tractor very unstable on anything other than very smooth terrain.

scitguy · Aug 5, 2011

Bought a used brush hog for my 2410 last year. It is quite old and extremely heavy duty. At 4' I thought it was maybe undesized but it's perfect for a small tractor. I've used it to cut a field that was near 3 years over due, cut overgrown trails and create new ones. Tractor has more than enough power to run it just be careful to walk out what your doing first. Oh, stock up on shear pins and make sure the gear case has fluid.
I'm very impressed with my 2410 it has way more power than I expected.