What can a BUSH HOG do?

[DT86]

I see from your picture you have a FEL. Why not just push them out of the ground and pile them up??

On the other hand back when we were cleaning up our farm we would bushhog any thing the tractor would run over. We had an old beat up 5' mower we didn't care about though.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If their saplings and you have a decent rotary cutter then put it in the lowest gear you have and go at it. I will say this, 5' is not wide enough. As soon as you open up that 5' path the brush and trees on both sides will immediately start growing in and that 5' path will get narrow fast. Cut it open at least 10 feet so that you don't have to fight off limbs every time you try to go through there.

 

[Depmandog]

Only an inch to inch and half? Go for it. If you have a lot and it sounds like you do, keep it slow. After you hit a sapling tree, it takes a second or so for the blades to re-extend and build up to full force, so blowing over several at once or in rapid succession will likely give you trouble getting "clean" cuts.

Sounds like fun!!

 

[wcampbell47]

I would have a concern for sharp stubs left by chainsawing. Punctured tires, feet and such. Now if you had a saw blade that cut parallel to the ground that might be different. That seems like a lot of work.

Check your specs on your bush hog to see if it was designed to shred the size stuff you have. Service the slip clutch before getting started. Go as slow as you possibly can for starters. Lower the FEL or have a heavy duty front bumper on the tractor to push the saplings over.

Whatever you do be careful.

 

[rtimgray]

I have bush hogged a lot of saplings that size or greater, and with a pretty cheap model bushhog (Howse). I usually just go slow and turn the radio up louder. I haven't broken anything (yet).

Good luck and take care.

 

[Code54]

I have to agree, I would do it. I did a bunch of 1/2-2" saplings (about 1/2 acre) with a B7610 and 4' brush hog and most were maples and oaks - went slow and it did it without the slightest problem.

 

[KYDan]

A good heavy duty rotary mower should handle the job, but if you have a toothbar on your loader you might consider trying that first. Effectiveness for this approach is dependent upon your soil type. If it is sandy it should be fairly easy, heavy clay more difficult or maybe not possible. If you push them over and then pile them at the edges there are no stumps to trip you or damage tires and it provides superior egress to your stand with your ATV, or whatever. It looks better as well and makes it easier to maintain.

 

[pennwalk]

For me it is a self regulating process. If my tractor can run it over the bush hog will tear it up. That's what a bush hog is for. If you just want to mow grass that's what a finish mower is for.

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

we would bushhog any thing the tractor would run over.

I was told that when I first got started. He was wrong....there are saplings that I will BACK over with the cutter but won't drive the tractor over going forward :laughing:

If it's a medium or heavy duty unit, it will handle them. But watch out for damage underneath the tractor. Seems that they are making the newer tractors more vulnerable underneath than they used to.

If the trees are fairly think, you are going to end up with a jumbled mess and you won't be able to back off of the pile if you have driven forward on the trail.

Taking down a single tree or two is one thing, going through a thicket is another. I don't think I'd do it.

Ken

 

[Boeing]

Guys, you are giving me GREAT input, thanks.
Couple of questions....my "hog" is a light duty (I guess) old, bought used, FORD built BIG BEE brand?) IT has no "clutch" just a shear pin.
Would that leave the same "stakes" sticking up that a "low cut" chain saw would leave?
I never thought about the toothed FEL. Yes, I did buy some teeth last year....would I just set it about 2" off the ground and grunt thru the saplings? Or do you push up to them and lift the bucket to try to pull them out of the ground? Then what....go OVER them with the hog or throw them off to the side? It would be nice to haul them up to the field and rent a chipper. My field has such poor soil that some chips might help it...Wonder what a chipper would rent for?.