What size bush hog?

[DrewL]

6 ft works great..... you could get away with a 7ft one on flatter terrain.

Wouldn't a larger mower give a machine more stability if the tractor can turn it? I guess I need an explaination on this

 

[NY_kioti_sales]

It is a weight issue. If you are on a side hill and need to pick up the mower the lighter the better. A heavier mower could result in a roll over.

 

[joe48]

as a frame of reference I have a CK20 with a 48in KingKutter. The 20 and the KK easily handle anything I can push over with the loader. I cut brush and saplings up to 2-3 in. and never run the engine over 2000 rpm,as abit of safety factor on the equip., only stalled it once when I caught an old steel fence post.
as far as slopes, if it exceedes my 15% pucker factor ,I put it in 2wd and go up it. if it won't go up in 2wd its too steep. AND ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT !

 

[DrewL]

what about center of gravity? In other words more weight lower to the ground (on the ground actually) can act as an anchor..............no?

 

[HickoryDean]

The weight on the ground will work as an anchor. I got in a bind a couple of weeks ago and mashed bush hog and FEL down to keep from going over. Even had right foot on the ground (on a pretty good angle). The problem was how to lift implements in order to move tractor without going over. Ended up dragging the bucket and backed out of rut.
Hickory.

 

[rvaitor]

6 ft.; maybe 7 if it's a 2 spindle machine. 7 ft. single spindle hangs way back & could cause stability problems in hilly terrain, though front weights may help.

Well, I talked International Machines(actually the company it different) and they indicated the dual spindle unit is harder on the engine, driving basically three gear boxes the center and two outers. I was thinking of stepping up to a 8ft but am now thinking of staying with the IM702.

Does this make sense to those of you with larger mowers?

Thanks,

 

[Highbeam]

"they indicated the dual spindle unit is harder on the engine, driving basically three gear boxes the center and two outers. I was thinking of stepping up to a 8ft but am now thinking of staying with the IM702."

There is no doubt some drag created by spinning three gearboxes but the poster has 55 HP to spend and that buys a lot more than 8 feet of mower width in a "weeds and junk" mowing setting. Power to spare.