MMM vs Bush Hog

[BigD23]

Been some good (as always) input as to which size bush hog to hang/use on the back of a BX...I have a BX23 with a 54" MMM...Tractor engines are rated at HP and rear PTO HP...Why do some folks recommend not using a 60" rear bush hog but the tractor will use a 60" MMM all day and night..? I may be opening up a can of worms here, but I gots to know...

Don

 

[Crash101]

I think quite often a recommendation for or against a particular size "bush hog" is made with the weight of the cutter in mind. Especially when considering a light weight tractor such as the BX series. A typical 5 foot rotary cutter can place a lot of weight several feet behind the three point hitch supporting it. This rearward weight can easily exceed the manufacturer's hitch limit. Hanging a mid mount mower on the center of the tractor doesn't affect the balance, but hanging it a few feet behind the tractor will take that balance point way too far rearward to be considered safe practice.

 

[ChuckinNH]

+1 on Crash101, and also a rotary cutter turns long heavy blades more on inertia, and weight than the forces generated by smaller blades that are belt driven. It's easier to turn three small, lighter blades than those heavy swinging blades on a RC. My 4' cutter seems as large as I would really want on my B2620, and I would move to a B3200 if I wanted to run a 5' RC.

 

[LD1]

Not only do the bush hogs take more ponies to turn, but they are typically used the cut thicker/heavier stuff than a finish mower, which again requires more ponies

 

[art]

Balance is one of the biggest things. Those that have do not fasten the top link leaving the tail wheel on the ground all the time.

Starting one would be quite a load on the PTO system of the tractor do to the weight of the blades and the drive of a five foot bush hog.

With the drives used on the kubotas being built so strong we have some who do not own a bush hog but use the finish deck in the raised position to cut the rough areas.

 

[radioman]

Another thing to keep in mind is the speed of the pto mid and rear. mid is much higher, in 2k range and the rear is 540 which is the most obvious reasons for a 60"MMM

 

[BigD23]

Not only do the bush hogs take more ponies to turn, but they are typically used the cut thicker/heavier stuff than a finish mower, which again requires more ponies

Not arguing this point, but I'm thinking the factory figures the overall rear PTO hp rating for other things than cutting grass.

Don

 

[LD1]

Not arguing this point, but I'm thinking the factory figures the overall rear PTO hp rating for other things than cutting grass.

Don

 

[BigD23]

LOL, what I'm saying is as far as the factory goes, their rating of the rear PTO hp has to have more than just grass cutting capability factored in...What I originally was talking about is a mid mount 60" compared to a 3ph 60" mower and why one is ok but the one hanging off the back (not talking about weight) is either borderline or too much.

Don

 

[have_blue]

Balance is one of the biggest things. Those that have do not fasten the top link leaving the tail wheel on the ground all the time.

That made me laugh out loud, as it brought back memories of one of my smaller tractors pulling a 5' bush hog. The bush hog was maximum recommended size and weight, and ran just fine, no balance problems. One time I had the FEL off, and decided to put the bush hog on. Well, I tell you, even though I had the rear wheel fully on the ground, that tractor had very little steering, and could pop a wheelie just like that!

I shut down my mowing and replaced the FEL before finishing. What a relief it was!