shredder suggestions

[jackh]

i just got a JD 5105M for the ranch and im lookin for a shredder for it. ive always heard of bush hogs but are there other good brands to look into that arent as well known? the tractor runs 90 hp at the pto and i was looking for around a 10-15 ft shredder, cant decide what size i need yet. thanks for any help

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to the forum.

"Good" and "not well known" probably don't go hand in hand.

Have you looked at Frontier?


Good luck with your search.

 

[Steve Bosshard]

Howdy,

A lot depends on how many acres you want to cut. I cut 15 acres with a 6 ft JD and it pretty much took all day. I just added a 35 acre patch and went looking. I found a 12 ft Servis Rhino G140 (lots of parts no longer available).

Paid $1000 for the mower needing tires. Had to buy an IH806 for $3K as part of the deal. Good spare tractor.

Long story short - the machine uses shear pins (originally 7/16 aluminum ribbits) that join 2, 5" disks together to transfer power. Bought grade 5 shear bolts. They didn't break. Main $330 shaft in the center gearbox did. Broke 1 1/16" bore Yoke in the process. Shaft available - yokes not available. Made by NEAPCO for Servis - buy 25 yokes and we will do a production run.

After canceling order for the OEM shaft a local machine shop made a new shaft with 1 1/8" shaft. Yokes readily available. Machine shop cut a recess in the new yoke for a steel shaft washer in addition to having keyways - Machining cost $400 - not bad for the work involved. Switched to grade 1 bolts by the pound.

Total investment around $1600 not counting time - I work cheap. Still need to have shafts in the outer boxes refurbished to fix wallowed key ways. Also should have checked wheel bearings and seals.

Moral - I don't regret getting the bigger mower. 12 ft really beats 6 ft. Could have bought something newer (1965 model). Should have made sure parts were available and checked the machine more thoroughly. Still a good value for my infrequent use.

Welcome and best regards, Steve

 

[Gary Fowler]

There are lots of manufacturers of shredders and there is lots of truth in you get what you pay for, however, I think Bushhog brand is living on name brand recognition more so than superior quality of product. Most brands have economy models that are really thin deck material and little to no bracing. The same company will have heavy duty models that IMO are just as good quality as bush hog brand. Main thing to look for is parts availability. Does the dealer stock any parts.
Just make sure that the unit that you buy has a gear box that is approximately equal to the power of your tractor and you should be ok. Most of the heavy duty models have 1/4" plate decks so they last much longer than the 16 gauge light duty models. I bought a 6' HOWSE light duty model for my 10+ acres and I have to beat it back into shape occasionally from rock damage but the gear train is a 65 HP rated gear box and I have stalled my 45 HP tractor down many times and not even sheared a bolt yet, so I think the power train is good. Same gear as on the heavy duty version (at least they are rated the same). So while I would love to have something heavier built, I can completely replace may deck with 1/4" plate for $500 by a shop close to my house. He will use my mechanical parts and fabricate and paint a new deck for me. So for the $800 that I paid, add 500 for a heavy deck and I have a $2500+ mower.

 

[bullsram]

Welcome to the forum.

I am like Steve just depends on how much you are going to cut. I have a 6' Frointier but I dont have near the tractor you do just a 5103. I have run an 8' 3ph bush hog brand behind it with out problem but that is as big as I would go with a 50hp tractor. I would suggest 15' if the land is open , maybe a little smaller if it is not. I would look on craigslist and see if you could find a good used 10' or 15' cutter. Just my 2 cents... Bull

 

[jackh]

ill probably just be shredding places where weeds have taken over from overgrazing and around the tanks occasionally. theres a 20 acre patch i plan to plant in oats next fall that i would probably shred before hand. i just feel like a 15 ft flex wing would make everything so much faster and i can always raise one or two wings if i get in a tighter spot.

 

[jackh]

anybody?

 

[dwilliams35]

We've had both Bush Hogs and Rhino: we've gotten really good service out of both. As far as what size, you really need to pay attention to the ratings on the shredder: I know the heavier-duty shredders take a little bit more horsepower to run, (and can handle more on the top end as well)...

 

[whistlepig]

I would take a look in your area for what brands the state and county uses to take care of the roads. Money is no object to them. After all it's our tax dollars paying for them. I live less than a mile from the Indiana/Ohio border. Both states and the counties use Woods and Bush Hog mowers. Most of the smaller mowers and flails are Woods. Most of the bat wings are Bush Hog.

 

[bc realtor]

A few of my freinds swear buy the ferri or the rinieri. Most are made by ferri in italy and rebranded over here. give bubco inc a call. he lives off his reputation to the vinyard industry.
BUBCO, Inc.

1803 S. Stockton St
california
He has set me strait a few times. the mans name is bubba.