Which model for 5' Hog?

Philip_L · Nov 19, 2004

Which model for 5\' Hog?

Hello all

I have 6 acres, and currently mow about 3 with a 42" Sears riding mower. I would like to upgrade to a tractor and bushhog to reduce my mowing time and to quit having to replace lawnmowers. Problem is it appears most people I see with Yanmars run 4' cutters. That is only 6in more than I have now, and I would really like to add the extra 18" a 5' brings. Do most run 4' b/c of the width of the tractor or is the power the limiting factor, or weight. I don't want a finish mower b/c
1.I will be doing some light brush cutting as I clear more of my land.
2. they are expensive

I was thinking of buying a YM2000 and spacing the rear wheels to approx 5' and running 5' cutter. I would add weight to the front as well. Am I being unrealistic, and should look at a bigger model? What do you guys run?

Thanks - this forum is awesome

Southpaw · Nov 19, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

I've got a ym1900 I bought last spring. I pull a 5 foot king kutter finish mower without any problems. I mow a little over 3 acres with it and all the rain we had in Missouri this summer I put close to 90 hours on it just mowing. The 1900 has plenty of power to handle the job fine. I borrowed my friends 4ft. hog to mow a couple of waterways. After using the 4 footer I am going to get a 5ft hog for my 1900. Unless you tried to hog in too high a gear you didn't know the 4 footer was back there. Well I take that back because I hogged over a hornets nest and I knew it was back there then! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thegreatrandini · Nov 20, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

it can run it.

BrettW · Nov 20, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

what the power on your PTO?
I got a 4' hog just so I wouldn't stress my machine, it has a 20 PTO, runs a 4' great, maybe could run a 5'
seems to me you're adding a few variables to that might stress the tractor. Spreading the wheels, adding weight and a good sized hog. I have read here about being very cautious about widening the wheels and the stresses on the axles. bw

Philip_L · Nov 20, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

thanks for the response, I am not concerned about putting too much stress on the axles, see my attached spreadsheet. I think it will boil down more to power to turn it.

P LeBlanc

DavesTractor · Nov 20, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

Cool spreadsheet.

stnickstoys · Nov 24, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

Phillip,
I like to stay above the 26pto hp tractors (YM2610) for example if I'm running a 5'hog. That way when I'm mowing pastures, some thin grasses, some weeds and brush as tall as the tractor, I have plenty of power and I'm not overworking the PTO drivetrain. I've seen and worked on a F24 tractor that didn't use a slip clutch and hit a rock or log and twisted off the PTO drive shaft inside the tractor transmission. When I opened the lid to the transmission I just said "#$%t". You should see how many gears are in a transmission with 4 gears, 3 ranges and a 4 speed PTO transmission. Of course the PTO shaft is in the bottom and everything above had to come out. I didn't have any problem getting a replacement shaft but what a job getting it in and out!
Moral of the story, use a slip clutch, don't overload your tractor with too big of implements!
Just my two cents worth
Nick

Soundguy · Nov 27, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( seen and worked on a F24 tractor that didn't use a slip clutch and hit a rock or log and twisted off the PTO drive shaft inside the tractor transmission)</font>

Sounds like the proper shear pin was not used.. otherwise the shear pin should have popped instead of the pto shaft..

Soundguy

stnickstoys · Dec 3, 2004

Re: Which model for 5\' Hog?

You're right soundguy, the customer handn't used any slip clutch and had put a roll pin in where the shear bolt had been. He found out how expensive a shear bolt really can be!
Nick