L4400- which Bush Hog Rotary?

[GLC]

Looking for a rotary mower for my new L4400. I want the Bush Hog brand since I've had others Bush Hogs on my Ford NAA and like the brand, its quality, and performance. Plus, there are two dealers close to me for parts, blades, etc.

Looking for input from others with similar tractor sizes and 45 hp. I'm going 6' with it but was particularly wondering which weight mower you use. The Squealer is the light weight then there is a medium and heavy weight model.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

I have an L4400 and the Squealer, and have no trouble cutting anything I can push over...Though i didn't like the rear discharge "guard" and had to remove it.. It is 1/4 plate wrapped around the rear, reducing the ability to get grass and debris out.. Kind of a mulching system, only it just plugged up..good finish to 6".

 

[dex3361]

What is the actual weight of each mower? Are your rear tires fluid filled? If not are you going to fill them? Is your property hilly/steep or flat. Is it rough with lots of rocks or is it smooth? Sorry for all of the questions but it helps us here on TBN to give better advice. I have a L4400HST and I use a medium duty KK 6 foot (60HP gear box and 750 #) and it pulls this very well.

 

[GLC]

Property is mostly flat with some gentle to moderate hills, nothing severe.

Tires are not filled but do have wheel weights.

The Squealer weighs 764 pounds.

The Model 286 weighs 942 pounds.

The Model 296 weighs 1095 pounds and is rated 45 hp PTO, just above the rating of the tractor.

Any heavier models go beyond the hp rating of my tractor and weigh a lot more. All above are 6' cuts.

This will be replacing a 1954 Ford NAA with 5' Squealer which has done well for many years but is tired and deserves some rest and restoration.

 

[40_acre_mule]

As you can see from my signature, I have the same tractor. I have the medium weight Landpride 6 footer. The heavyweight Landprides are what the local county mowers use.
I chose the Landpride based on the heavy-duty build. Even the gear box is bigger and heavier than all the other brands.
I've never had a bit of trouble with it in 7 years. The L4400 handles it with no problem, even though it does weigh a bit more than the others. When I first got it, my property had a lot of two inch pine saplings and one inch hardwoods. It took them out without a hiccup. Now, I use it to mow about 25 acres of cleared fields twice a year.
YMMV, but I don't hesitate to recommend the Landpride.

 

[SEMI-RETIRED]

As you can see from my signature, I have the same tractor. I have the medium weight Landpride 6 footer. The heavyweight Landprides are what the local county mowers use.
I chose the Landpride based on the heavy-duty build. Even the gear box is bigger and heavier than all the other brands.
I've never had a bit of trouble with it in 7 years. The L4400 handles it with no problem, even though it does weigh a bit more than the others. When I first got it, my property had a lot of two inch pine saplings and one inch hardwoods. It took them out without a hiccup. Now, I use it to mow about 25 acres of cleared fields twice a year.
YMMV, but I don't hesitate to recommend the Landpride.

Ditto here..
I have a l4400 4x4 with a land-pride rotary mower, i have put this
thing thru some very rough use with no problems, it is the 1860 model..

I looked at the bush hog but thought it was overbuilt and overpriced
for what i need, i do commercial brush-hogging, i have been thinking
of going to a 6ft instead of the 5ft but a lot of my jobs have a lot
of trees so sticking with the 5ft right now, i may this spring buy a
6ftr for the larger acreage jobs..

Hope this helps..

Bob..

 

[art]

Why not the SQ84T

 

[dex3361]

Property is mostly flat with some gentle to moderate hills, nothing severe.

Tires are not filled but do have wheel weights.

The Squealer weighs 764 pounds.

The Model 286 weighs 942 pounds.

The Model 296 weighs 1095 pounds and is rated 45 hp PTO, just above the rating of the tractor.

Any heavier models go beyond the hp rating of my tractor and weigh a lot more. All above are 6' cuts.

This will be replacing a 1954 Ford NAA with 5' Squealer which has done well for many years but is tired and deserves some rest and restoration.

From the description of your land and the rotary cutters I wold think that even the heavier (942#) model 286 would be fine for your use. I would be careful not to tram to fast and bounce the cutter while it is raised no matter which one you buy. I have been satisfied with how well the L4400 handles the 6 foot cutter and the biggest load on the tractor is when I hit heavy tall/wet grass not when I am in the brush (I would have thought different). I would have chose a Land Pride or Bush Hog but I got such a good deal on the King Kutter that I couldnt pass it up and have not regretted it.

 

[GLC]

I'm thinking I like the Bush Hog 286 also. The Land Pride mowers look okay too, I'll have to do some price comparisons.

I don't want a 7' mower and the dual spindle SQ84T is probably a lot more money, not to mention more blades to sharpen, and parts to maintain and break.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[have_blue]

I have an L4400 and the Squealer, and have no trouble cutting anything I can push over...Though i didn't like the rear discharge "guard" and had to remove it.. It is 1/4 plate wrapped around the rear, reducing the ability to get grass and debris out.. Kind of a mulching system, only it just plugged up..good finish to 6".

GLC,

Exactly what Dave said above. Same tractor, same Squealer here.

Unless you will be mowing saplings and rocks, anything heavier is wasted and stressful on such a lightweight tractor. (Kubota limits cutter weight to around 800# max, if I remember right)

The 3 point hitch pins are wide apart on the SQ172, and that stabilizes it very well. No scalping when turning. Runs very quietly if you keep the blades sharp.

Down side: The implement is a little hard to mount because of the wide hitch pin spacing. The front of the deck is not welded solid to the skirt, so grass jams into the crack. It will eventually widen, the paint will wear off, and it will rust. (what was BH thinking???)