Matching Rotary Cutters (Brush Hogs) with tractor

[Beervangelist]

More novice questions from the greenhorn.

I'm looking for a brush hog for an old Ford, which may not be the tractor of my future. In most used ads, HP is not listed, but often 540 is. I see that most of the older tractors all have 540 PTO, so I'm assuming that a Brush hog advertised as 540 would fit.

My confusion lies with looking at new cutters, and they list HP and not RPM. Additionally, they (TSC) lists their only brush hog as 40 HP. Does this require a 40 HP on the tractor PTO?

Most of the tractors I'm looking at, and certainly the 2N in the barn are under 40 HP, so I'm assuming they wouldn't handle this cutter.

So, the question is: How do you find HP on used gear,and how does that relate to your tractor specs?

Thanks all.

 

[RoyJackson]

Hi Beervangelist!
You really want to read those specs thoroughly.
In some cases, the 40 (PTO) HP may mean the minium recommended for the implement, or it may mean that's the maximum recommended for the cutter's gearbox (max HP listed to protect the gearbox).
Most lighter duty (or standard duty...those terms are both used) 5' cutters I've seen have a 40 HP rated gearbox and are recommended for tractor with 20-25 PTO HP as minimums.
I've never seen a cutter rated for anything but 540 RPM (that doesn't mean there aren't any...but I've never seen one).
This information should be in the cutter's specs (either in a table if multiple cutters are listed) or in the text of the website, brochure or owners manual.

If you're looking at a 6' cutter, 40 PTO HP may be the minimum, especially if it's a heavy duty unit.

Hope that helps...

 

[TripleR]

What Roy said. Woods made/makes some non 540 units, but I have never seen one either. We blew a gear boxes on our Woods 121 10 foot and received the non 540, 1000, I believe gear box and had to reorder. There is a formula provided, but you would need to remove the cover and literally count teeth as these things are not always clearly marked. Chances are you will never run into anything but 540 then do some Internet research on that model to make sure it will work with your tractor.

All of this stuff sounds more complicated than it really is.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A good rule of thumb is about 5 HP per foot. A Ford 2N is a is a 23 PTO HP tractor so it would run about a 5 foot cutter. I would get a lighter duty one and so not expect to cut down trees with the thing but for general weed cutting it will do fine. Mainly lighter duty because the rear lift is not that strong on the old N series stuff.

TractorData.com Ford 2N tractor information

The main thing on most older iron is to run a overrun clutch. If you are not familiar just ask, it may keep you alive. These are not needed on newer stuff with live power and 2 stage clutches.

Chris

 

[beenthere]

I think Diamondpilot had good info...but meant to say 5 foot cutter

Have run 5' cutters on the "old" Fords, and within reason, they did just fine. Had a 5' hooked to my Deere 420 2-cyl, and after adding the over-running "clutch", it was a pretty good system.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think Diamondpilot had good info...but meant to say 5 foot cutter

Thanks, I took care of my bone head mistake. Believe it or not it was the first one I have ever made. Just do not tell my wife, I have here still fooled.:laughing:

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

most of the time pople list gearbox max input hp.

go by foot of cut.. figure about 5hp per foot. a N is good for a 5' cutter.

540 is the rpm standard till you get to the big units.. then you see 1000 rpm pto's.. usually don't see that untill you get to 12' and 15' mowers.

soundguy

More novice questions from the greenhorn.

I'm looking for a brush hog for an old Ford, which may not be the tractor of my future. In most used ads, HP is not listed, but often 540 is. I see that most of the older tractors all have 540 PTO, so I'm assuming that a Brush hog advertised as 540 would fit.

My confusion lies with looking at new cutters, and they list HP and not RPM. Additionally, they (TSC) lists their only brush hog as 40 HP. Does this require a 40 HP on the tractor PTO?

Most of the tractors I'm looking at, and certainly the 2N in the barn are under 40 HP, so I'm assuming they wouldn't handle this cutter.

So, the question is: How do you find HP on used gear,and how does that relate to your tractor specs?

Thanks all.

 

[lawn_king]

I live by the 5 hp per implement foot rule of thumb, in fact i try to go 5.5 to 6 hp per foot when i can. Im from the smaller implement with extra power school of thought?

 

[Ken45101]

All good advice. The only thing I would add is that it depends on what you are cutting and how often. If you wait until the weeds get 6-8' tall, you will want more hp per foot, or you will have to go very slowly.

OTOH, if you keep up with it and cut it when it's only a foot or two tall, you can get by with less hp.

Also depends on how dense the weeds are.

Running a 6' cutter on a 40 hp (PTO) tractor (6.6 hp/ft), I rarely load the engine down. Only on rare occasions do I have to shift down to lower gear and that's generally when the weeds are far taller than the tractor.

Ken

 

[Soundguy]

imho.. i'd rather cut 6' tall weeds than 3' tall grass..

tall weeds are usually stemmy and cut well.. lush thick grass on the other hand .. now that's a hard cut..

soundguy