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

[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