Rotary Cutter Newbie- Bush hog question

[GolfGolf]

First time tractor owner.

I have a Farmtrac 535 with a King Kutter 5ft bush hog. Question---

How large (in diameter) of saplings can I expect to cut down with this setup? The guy I bought it from said anything up to 2" would be OK, but I am somewhat hessitant to try.

Please advise

Thanks
Gary

 

[mbohuntr]

you might want to pick one off by itself, and go at it SLOW!!!, My 5' howse doesn't like them, but my blades are pretty dull. High RPM's are important.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A lot would depend on your bushhog. If it is a medium to heavy duty one, you could cut 4 inch willow and other soft wood trees easily. I use the ride over factor. If my tractor will push it over and ride over it and keep all the wheels on the ground, the shredder will usually cut it down. It may not shred it up, but it will knock all the limbs off and shred the stump. You really have to go into it slow and let the blades kinda gnaw on it a little. Surprisingly with the tree bent over, it cuts really easily. Of course the harder the wood, the harder is is to cut and also harder it is for your tractor to push it over.
2" saplings, I cut at 5-6 mph with no problem, spits them out like toothpicks.
I have (had) a area grown over with sweetgum and willow and I just waded in with my shredder and thinned them down. THe larger ones I had to leave and will get them with a chain saw or dig them out with my tractor FEL and box blade to cut the root ball the pull out the whole thing with the FEL. That is what I have done with some 8" diameter thorn trees that I couldnt push over with the tractor.

 

[shvl73]

I looked on their site to see if there was a spec and couldn't find one. My Woods BB60 is rated (I think) up to 1-1/2" but will cut much larger. Some of the issues with cutting too large can be wrecking lower seals, so you cannot keep oil in the gearbox or destroying the gearbox itself. I'm sure others will give input as to safety issues, as well.

 

[dtd24]

Hey Golf,
I like the drive over outlook already mentioned for starters. You should familerize yourself with it that way. Mine will cut a 2" pretty steady. Makes a good racket!!!

 

[greenmule]

Well if yours is just a light duty like mine,2" would be pushing things,alot.
Find one like was said,all by itself,about 1 inch and have at it,it'll cut it but you'll see than.

 

[kebo]

I used to have the brochure for the KK mowers and I'm pretty sure it said they were rated for up to 1" diameter material. That doesn't mean they can't or won't cut 2" stuff. If it were mine, I think I would use a chainsaw to cut down the 1 1/5" and larger stuff. I know it's more effort that way, but then you can cut the stump level with the ground and then maintain it afterwards with the bush hog.

 

[RalphVa]

Even my 4' JD bush hog will do about 1 1/2". On bigger stuff, I think you're better off cutting them down about 2' off the ground with a chain saw and then cut the stub to the ground. The bush hog leaves quite a stub sticking up that could do through a tire. When I took out about 1/3 to 1/2 a grove of persimmon trees, I did what I mentioned. No problems. Where I took down just 2 a year or so later is where I can see the stubs. Of course, I have a chipper/shredder that I used to shred up the trees I cut with the chain saw.

Ralph

 

[SESS]

First time tractor owner.

I have a Farmtrac 535 with a King Kutter 5ft bush hog. Question---

How large (in diameter) of saplings can I expect to cut down with this setup? The guy I bought it from said anything up to 2" would be OK, but I am somewhat hessitant to try.

Please advise

Thanks
Gary

Gary-

I would stick to just grass, weeds, etc! Your gear box will like you more that way!!

SESS

 

[GolfGolf]

Thanks for the quick replies. I think I will go with the majority and use a chainsaw on those bigger saplings

I'm sure I will be back here with more questions.