Bush Hog flail mower on a 550

ytr1903 · Apr 19, 2009

I own a 1958 550 and have a neighbor that wants to sell me a Bush Hog FH174 6 foot flail mower. He thinks that it weighs around 750 pounds. I would like to take it off his hands, but am not sure whether my 550 will handle it. What do you think? Thanks for any help.

Tom

Larry from MD · Apr 20, 2009

Those mowers are heavy ,but the wieght is close to the tractor so it lifts fine. If you are in anything tall they are power hogs. In short grass you can have fair forward speed. If its close by ask to try it first. I have one i havent used for 20 years.

Mike (WA) · Apr 20, 2009

I have used a 5 footer on my 550 diesel for years, and it's all it wants in heavy going. Course we've got pretty rank grass here in the Pacific Northest. If you're just clipping pastures and the like, the 6 would probably be fine. But for mowing 3 foot tall, headed out orchard grass or fescue, probably not.

550Doug · Apr 20, 2009

You'll be fine with that setup. If you do run into tall grass just lift the flail mower up about a foot for the first pass and then the second pass will give a nice clean cut. I discovered this when trying to use a Ford 8N on a 5 foot flail. The tractor was way under powered for any tall grass but the 2 pass sytem worked out just fine.
Good luck

PS Makes sure your PTO clutch plates are in good order as they will slip when worn on the 550

Bush Hog flail mower on a 550

ytr1903

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Larry from MD

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Mike (WA)

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550Doug

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