Mowing What size Bush Hog, 5' or 6'?!

[nybirdman]

We run a five ft.bushog on our L3000Dt and a six ft. on the L4240 both medium duty cutters.They are the proper size for each unless you are cutting lawns.I have had the six ft.bog down in seven ft.canary grass on the L4240 with 44HP.The cutter was brand new at the time.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I actually find that I wish I had more than 6' quite often.

I have never had to slow below L3 with the 6' cutter. And that is in the thickest of crap. But I find I have to slow down more frequently due to rough terrain, or obsticals.

I frequently mow in H1 and H2 if terrain permits. Going to a larger cutter will allow me to mow the at the same rate with a slower ground speed (and smoother ride). And there are times where I H2 doesnt even feel like a load, but H3 makes quite a speed jump and I start over-running the cutter and leave a poor finish.

So, since I have yet to find anything that requires using the slowest gears the tractor has, but often times I am at the maximum speed I can go, I wish I had a 7' or 8' twin cutter.

Hey LD1. We have models older than yours and I wonder at the comparability of L/H ranges. Our lo range speeds are pretty slow. L3 tops out ~ 1.5mph. Sound about right?
Thanks!
,,,larry

 

[LD1]

Hey LD1. We have models older than yours and I wonder at the comparability of L/H ranges. Our lo range speeds are pretty slow. L3 tops out ~ 1.5mph. Sound about right?
Thanks!
,,,larry

No I think mine are faster. I (IF anyone has a L3400 manual they can post the exacts.) I do not have my manual handy.

I think speeds are as follows (or close)
L1=1.0
L2=1.5
L3=2.5
L4=3.5
H1=4.5
H2=5.1
H3=8.3
H4=13.5

General average heavy stuff I mow in L4. Most of the time I am in H1 or H2.

IF I had a 7' or 8' cutter, I could slow down for a smoother ride and get done in the same amount of time. Or the times when I have to slow down because its rough, I could get done faster by going the same speed but with a larger cutter.

 

[ovrszd]

As to guards, I'd always prefer chain. You ain't gonna wear out chain. I've saw a lot of rubber guards worn out. As someone else said, I built mine. Nothing gets thru them. I'd suspect chain guards are a lot more expensive over rubber if buying.

 

[JSanders10]

I have both a 5' and 6'.

I use the 5' mostly for cutting the heavy brush, saplings, etc. and the 6' for where I have mostly grass.

That said, the extra foot does obviously reduce the time needed for the cutting.

 

[94BULLITT]

As to guards, I'd always prefer chain. You ain't gonna wear out chain. I've saw a lot of rubber guards worn out. As someone else said, I built mine. Nothing gets thru them. I'd suspect chain guards are a lot more expensive over rubber if buying.

Chain looks cool too:cool2:

 

[JRobyn]

If you intend to back it up a fairly steep incline, please be SURE to check your PTO shaft length carefully! When you start backing and the cutter tailwheel goes up the incline with the tractor still on-the-flat, it can significantly shorten the shaft and jam the tractor's PTO output shaft bearings/housing with very bad ($$) results.

- Jay