Looking to buy a tractor strictly for bush hogging

[foreman Etexas]

2002 TN55,161HRS,$10,000

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have thought about buying a tractor for the same purpose, just to brush chop with it. I had this idea of buying a FWA tractor in the 50-60 horse range and build up a forestry type cage around it as well as skid plates and such to protect any vulnerable parts. We have a lot of ground we maintain and each year it seems were either clearing a new piece of ground or clearing back the brush thats leaning in so a cage would be ideal for us. But I just want a nice tractor that I can drive into the red brush without worry, something I can set the wheels wide on it and leave it.

I would think for your price range you can look at fairly new 2wd tractors. A 2wd New Holland TN65 only cost around $15k 10 years ago so you should be able to expand your years to include the early 2000's.

 

[Johndeere3720]

This would work. But It has a bucket, dont see it being strictly for bush hogging. :laughing:

JOHN DEERE 301A Tractors - 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[Soundguy]

Yep, PTO lever is below the seat on the left side of the transmission housing, and it has a two-stage clutch. Gears were 8x2, with an optional 6x2. But I've never seen a 6x2 in the x600 or x610 series. They must be rare.
The 3610 has a foot throttle. That's handy, but for a dedicated bush-hogging tractor, unecessary.

just about every ford I've seen with a pto, that wasn't an SOS tranny had the pto lever on the left side under the seat / behind the foot.

my point was I was not sure if the 3600 had independent or mertely 2 stage clutch. i know on a 3000 to get ind pto you needed sos tranny.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I have thought about buying a tractor for the same purpose, just to brush chop with it. .

I did the same.

so far my dedicated choppers are my 5000/10' mower.. 7610s / 15' mower.. 4600/ 6' mower, 950/5' mower and 2000/5' mower.



soundguy

 

[Verticaltrx]

If you are considering a 2440-2640 JD, you'll need a bigger bush hog than 6'. We have a 2550 JD which is in between sizes of the 2440 and 2640 and it is 7' wide. With 65pto HP it has plenty of power to pull a 10' pull type bush hog. As mentioned before, it is a fairly loud tractor but not obnoxious. Full throttle under a real load it sounds just like the old Deere dozers. :thumbsup:

The models I'd look for would be JD 2155, 2150, 2040, 2030, 1020, or IH 454, 444, 574, etc. Those are the ones I have personal experience with, all would be a good match for a 6' bush hog.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If you are considering a 2440-2640 JD, you'll need a bigger bush hog than 6'. We have a 2550 JD which is in between sizes of the 2440 and 2640 and it is 7' wide. With 65pto HP it has plenty of power to pull a 10' pull type bush hog. As mentioned before, it is a fairly loud tractor but not obnoxious. Full throttle under a real load it sounds just like the old Deere dozers. :thumbsup:

The models I'd look for would be JD 2155, 2150, 2040, 2030, 1020, or IH 454, 444, 574, etc. Those are the ones I have personal experience with, all would be a good match for a 6' bush hog.

Part of the noise "problem" with that series of Deere is the externally mounted hydraulic pump. It adds quite a bit to the already noisy engine.

I run 3-point 6' Bush Hog 406 extreme duty mowers on both the 2440 and 2640. Either will handle a wider mower, but the 406 is a HEAVY mower....Takes a stout tractor to handle 'em on rough ground.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

we have the younger brother.. a jd 2240 decent machine.. figure it's near 50hp or so.. don't know exactly.

ditto on the 4000 series fords.

soundguy

2040=40hp
2240=50hp
2440=60hp
2640=70hp
2840=80hp

 

[Soundguy]

2040=40hp
2240=50hp

good memory i guess!

soundguy

 

[RollingsFarms]

thanks for all the suggestions, guys! really do appreciate it! i have added all the ones suggested here to my list of tractors to keep an eye out for. if anyone would like to add any others feel free to do so! i would like to try to keep it closer to home so i won't be eaten up with paying shipping costs. I live in South Carolina so i'm looking around my state, and getting the word out to a couple local dealers to let me know if they happen to get in a trade-in they think would fit the bill. there's a couple for sale in my area on tractorhouse but nothing yet that screams "i'm the tractor for you!".