Rotary Cutter Looking for a reliable (proper sized) bush hog

[Kubotafarmer98]

I was unable to pull up the specs on the Land Pride, but the bb72x has a 75hp gearbox not the 120hp box used on the bb720. The bh26 is similar with a 130hp gearbox.

If I remember correctly a MX is about the same weight as the L series???:confused3:

You may want to talk to someone that owns a MX and one of those mowers before investing, or just use the new machine for your mowing chores.

The Land Pride has a category 3 driveline and that's about as much as I could get info wise. The MX5200 weighs a little over 3,700lbs but I think that's not counting the fluid in the tires or the loader and after the fluid and loader it should weigh around 5,000lbs.

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

So would a BB72X be better suited? The specs show it weighing at a little over 800lbs.

 

[CobyRupert]

I run a 7’ , 1100 lb. mower behind a JD 5075, loaded tires. Plenty of power even when cruising in grass. It definitely covers ground. However most of my hogging is in tight spaces, in ditches, on banks, etc.. where I think a 6’ would work better. On the other hand the mower width is about the same as the tractor’s so you can get next to fences, trees and buildings.
Front is only light if the complete FEL is off, but that’s what suitcase weights are for if required.
With FEL frame, or with bucket I don’t worry about front being light. I do get myself in some situations where I worry about lifting it too high and changing center of gravity too much.

 

[dbaer78]

I wouldn't hesitate to run the BB720x with your tractor. I run a 172 rhino which is the equivalent of a BB72x woods and you can hardly tell it's back there. You won't have any trouble if you leave the loader on. If I were in the market for a new cutter I'd be looking at a BB720x or equivalent.

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

I wouldn't hesitate to run the BB720x with your tractor. I run a 172 rhino which is the equivalent of a BB72x woods and you can hardly tell it's back there. You won't have any trouble if you leave the loader on. If I were in the market for a new cutter I'd be looking at a BB720x or equivalent.

I'm assuming it makes good counterweight as well?

 

[dbaer78]

Yes... 1100 pounds would be a great counterweight for an MX. They're light in the rear. I forgot to mention that my tractor is an MX5100... the precursor to yours.

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

Yes... 1100 pounds would be a great counterweight for an MX. They're light in the rear. I forgot to mention that my tractor is an MX5100... the precursor to yours.

Would the BB720 bog or strain the MX on hillsides or in thick grass/brush?

 

[LeadPoison]

My M4900 with a BB720 will bog in real heavy stuff. 6 foot tall and higher. Super dense stuff.

 

[dbaer78]

Would the BB720 bog or strain the MX on hillsides or in thick grass/brush?

Any 6 foot cutter can bog a 40-50hp tractor in super heavy tall grass. You just have to slow down. Generally brush cuts easier than heavy grass... within reason. My tractor is a hydrostat and in super heavy tall grass on slope (like the back of a lake dam) I run low range and it does just fine.

 

[Notforhire]

Would the BB720 bog or strain the MX on hillsides or in thick grass/brush?

I don't think HP is going to be an issue. If you had a lightweight 6 ft cutter it's still a 6 ft. cutter and the power to spin it would be about the same. The only additional load would be carrying more weight (500 lbs?) up the hill. I have no issues with my JD which is a heavier rig with just a little more HP.
If it's real thick I'd think you'd want to reduce your travel speed anyway.

It's good that we've heard from a member with almost the same rig that doesn't seem to be having any issues. You can't get any better info than that.:thumbsup:

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

I don't think HP is going to be an issue. If you had a lightweight 6 ft cutter it's still a 6 ft. cutter and the power to spin it would be about the same. The only additional load would be carrying more weight (500 lbs?) up the hill. I have no issues with my JD which is a heavier rig with just a little more HP.
If it's real thick I'd think you'd want to reduce your travel speed anyway.

It's good that we've heard from a member with almost the same rig that doesn't seem to be having any issues. You can't get any better info than that.:thumbsup:

I agree. I'm not only looking for a very sturdy reliable rotary cutter like the BB72X or BB720X but a mower that will provide excellent counterweight especially when moving round bales (which I was told weigh 1,400-1,600lbs) and if the MX5200 will handle the BB720X without any issues then I may just go with that one.

 

[tractorcrazy]

I run a 6foot international brush hog with a 45 horse kubota L4310 but I dont mow real high heavy brush with it

 

[clarky711]

I run a HD Bobcat 6’ cutter behind my L3540. It’s heavy and I know it’s there, but with the HST tranny I can slow down and let it work. I don’t use it without the front end loader either or it does get a little bouncy up front. You should be fine with your bigger/more powerful tractor. Are your rear tires loaded? Mine are and I definitely feel it helps with stability. Good luck!

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

I run a HD Bobcat 6’ cutter behind my L3540. It’s heavy and I know it’s there, but with the HST tranny I can slow down and let it work. I don’t use it without the front end loader either or it does get a little bouncy up front. You should be fine with your bigger/more powerful tractor. Are your rear tires loaded? Mine are and I definitely feel it helps with stability. Good luck!

The rear tires are loaded but the tractor is still light in the rear end.

 

[Notforhire]

Looking at Tractor Data, it looks like your MX weighs about 300 lbs more than clarky's L3540.

I think he's correct in his conclusion that "You should be fine with your bigger/more powerful tractor. " everything else being equal.

 

[Overtaxed]

I run a 12ft behind a 60HP tractor and don't feel starved for HP mowing pasture a few times a year. Unless you've got some really, really thick stuff to mow regularly, I think you'll find you're "over HP'ed" for that size cutter (which is fine, means you can go faster when you cut or not slow down in the really heavy stuff). The only advice I'd add, depending on what you're mowing, go as wide as you can. It's much more comfortable going 4MPH with a 12ft cutter than 8MPH with a 6ft cutter. You'll get more cut faster and with less wear tear on you and the machine running slower and wider. Also, for 7-8ft hogs, make sure your ground is FLAT or you're only going to mow pretty high. You won't be able to get a close cut without scalping and digging unless your ground is quite flat. If you're looking to mow a few IN high, no problem, but if you're looking to "near finish mow" it, you could have a problem.

 

[Kubotafarmer98]

I run a 12ft behind a 60HP tractor and don't feel starved for HP mowing pasture a few times a year. Unless you've got some really, really thick stuff to mow regularly, I think you'll find you're "over HP'ed" for that size cutter (which is fine, means you can go faster when you cut or not slow down in the really heavy stuff). The only advice I'd add, depending on what you're mowing, go as wide as you can. It's much more comfortable going 4MPH with a 12ft cutter than 8MPH with a 6ft cutter. You'll get more cut faster and with less wear tear on you and the machine running slower and wider. Also, for 7-8ft hogs, make sure your ground is FLAT or you're only going to mow pretty high. You won't be able to get a close cut without scalping and digging unless your ground is quite flat. If you're looking to mow a few IN high, no problem, but if you're looking to "near finish mow" it, you could have a problem.

I went to the dealer today and looked at the BB72X and I like the different setting for the lower link arms, my uncle has a M4700 with the 72X and he says that it is plenty for his tractor.

 

[Overtaxed]

I went to the dealer today and looked at the BB72X and I like the different setting for the lower link arms, my uncle has a M4700 with the 72X and he says that it is plenty for his tractor.

72X is a real nice machine, I almost bought one. It'll work great for your machine.

 

[coobie]

Well I have talked to the dealer about the 8ft cutter and they said that the tractor would handle it but I'm guessing that I
wouldn't be able to get into heavy grass with that cutter on the MX. I'm currently running a 5ft King Kutter and it's about on it's last leg, I've looked at a woods bb72x, land pride rcf2072 and a bush hog bh26 and all 3 seem to be heavy duty bush hogs, but as you said my main issue is the cost.

I have a Brush hog BH26 with slip clutch been excellent so far.All cutters you have mention should be decent.

 

[Zebrafive]

The BB72 is lighter duty than the BB720.
BB72: 75HP gear box, 828lbs, 2" cut capacity
BB720 : 120HP gear box, 1200lbs, 3" cut capacity