What size bush hog for a 5570?

[IH4739]

What size bush hog will a 5570 handle? I want to go as big as I can without overloading the machine. Also what is more important the horsepower or the weight of the tractor

 

[sellercreek]

What size bush hog will a 5570 handle? I want to go as big as I can without overloading the machine. Also what is more important the horsepower or the weight of the tractor

You can easily operate a 10' pull type bush hog or a 12' bat wing. Lift types are another story but you should be able to lift a 7'. Weight and hp are both important and the 5570 is a well balanced machine. If you bush hog any slopes, I would encourage you to set the rear track as wide as possible.

 

[IH4739]

Your right it's much safer to have it set out wide. I have found a pretty good deal on a 15' cutter is why I was wondering about what the 5570 could handle. Maybe I should get the 12' I'm afraid the 15' would just be too much

 

[mcfarmall]

I think someone on here once said something like this: Weight gets the work done, horsepower gets it done faster. I also recall a recent post from someone who had a heavy Mahindra that was in the 40-50 hp range that struggled with a 7' cutter going up a hill. Don't know if there was a problem with the powertrain control module or if the tractor was simply overloaded.

 

[seaneastok]

General rule of thumb is five pto HP per foot of cutter. That being said there are different scenarios to consider. Flat or hills ? maintaining pasture ? or trying to reclaim thicker denser brush area's..I personally use a 10 ft drag hog to maintain my pasture with no problem. with my 35 HP pto .Granted I have to cut in a lower gear,but the wider cut at a slower speed versus narrower cut at a higher speed are a wash in my mind.The thicker area's grown up with brush, I drop drop to my six footer ..Your 5570 I believe has somewhere around 62 pto hp or so if I recall.
Rule of thumb say's 12 ft, It would probably run the 15. You may check the hp requirements on the hog you are looking at if they are available. I have found that each manufacturer can at times have wide variations on their HP requirements.
Regard's
Sean

 

[tj200]

Don't forget about the weight factor of the tractor. I had a 5545 that would almost stall a 5' bush hog on a very steep grade low range 2nd gear in tall grass.