6' bush hog too big for Ford 850?

Looks like a medium duty bush hog. Was just wondering if 6' is too big for it to handle power wise. Thanks

No.

A decent 8/9 series Ford will handle all but the most heavy 6' cutters well.

Dean

marmon77,
I run a Woods Cadet 72 behind my 1964 Ford 4000. Same basic tractor except it has the 2 stage clutch like an 860 would have, and maybe a couple extra HP.
Makes the front end very light, so I have a set of wheel weights inside the front wheels. I can still pop the front end off the ground if I am not careful. I am running on hilly ground.
Mostly mow in 3rd gear. If the fields get too heavy I have had to go to 2nd on rare occasions.
I have adjustable length stabilizer bars on each side of mine. I use them to push the mower slightly to the left. Then I cut with my right wheel against the uncut grass. Seams to do a better job of cutting that way.
HTH
Keith

Thanks for the replys.

I recently bought a brand new King Kutter Rotary Kutter 6' HD 60HP L-72-60-HD6'. It weighs 1,150lbs. Yes, it is quite heavy, but it is a heavy duty implement. It came with Cat 2 pins. I had to convert it to Cat 1 to hook it to my 860, and the lift arms will not spread far enough to hook it to the 860. I had to hook one side, then cock the tractor around using the brake to attach the other side.

The weight will be your biggest obstacle, in my opinion. My 860's power can handle it, but I must mow in 2nd gear when I'm in grass that's 3ft tall and thick near the ground. But it will cut down sapplings over 2 inches diameter. Even though my 860 will lift the mower, it will lift it only about 6 inches above the ground. It will not lift it to the top of the lift arms' limit, not even close.

On hilly ground I have to steer by using the steering wheel, brakes, and lift control all at the same time. I can easily grab my bumper and lift the front tires off of the ground when the rotary mower is off the ground.

I recently bought a 5600 Blue Power Special and will be mowing with it. My King Kutter is just too weight much for my 860.

Gil

I have used a FMC 6x6 Sidewinder for years on my 851. I also used a Bush Hog 6' Squealer and it did fine.

Low Flyer,
When you put the lower link pins onto the frame, did you place them so that they point in or at each other versus out. That should gain you the difference in width you need. I would also guess that when you spread those arms apart, you are causing the sway chains to become tight and they may be limiting your ability to lift the mower.
I believe you can even get lower link pins that are cat 2 on one end and cat 1 on the other. So that the cat 2 ends point out and the cat 1 ends point in.
HTH
Keith

an 8xx/9xx/4000 4 cyl should run a 6' light to med duty mower fine.

(quoted from post at 20:03:29 10/29/14) Low Flyer,
When you put the lower link pins onto the frame, did you place them so that they point in or at each other versus out. Keith

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Hi Keith. They point away from each other. Pointing them in was not an option with this mower is a great idea, but the frame gets in the way.

This one is not light weight like a squealer. This one weighs 1,150lbs. It doesn't run out of horsepower, it's the weight with this one. I wasn't saying that an 860 couldn't handle a 6ft rotary mower.

Gil

I run a 6' tire driven sidewinder with a MF 135 gas, perfect match, cuts whatever tractor will push over.

I run a 6' heavy duty cutter through heavy brush behind a tractor rated at the same HP. You should be fine. Just be careful and add front weight if needed.

Rick

Perfect size. Not too big and big enough. Currently running a 6'
Kidiac med duty. I bought the MD to get the 65 hp gearbox. I tore
out a small gearbox once and swore I wouldn't buy another cutter
with the little 40 hp box.

Mark

(quoted from post at 12:22:39 10/28/14) Looks like a medium duty bush hog. Was just wondering if 6' is too big for it to handle power wise. Thanks

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Should be a good fit....my 6' Howse is medium duty & the 860 really likes it.

Jeff



Forgot to mention I have heavy grass & weeds(3-4'), but not that much wood or debris to mow through. It's actually pretty hard to challenge it with the usual growth around here.