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Looking for Bush Hogging info

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Bob Wilbur

03-06-2003 22:05:34




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Recently bought a JD 302A 52hp Tractor/Loader.( My first tractor) One of the things I'd like to use it for is clearing the small trees and brush out from between the trees on a hilly woodlot in Maine. Some of the ads ive seen say their machines will cut up to 1 1/2" trees.I've got some skidder trails covered with flattened trees about that size I'd like to use as roads. Can you just drive over that stuff? And what about those 20 ft tall 1 1/2" trees?Do you just curl up the loader and drive foreward over that stuff or do you have to back the bush hog over it?

I hav'nt bought one yet but im looking at the heavy duty 5 ft. JD model.

Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions.

Bob

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Ron

03-09-2003 08:42:33




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Keep the blades sharp, and you will have a much easier time cutting that brush.!!!! Would not hurt to keep the blade pivots lubed, too-so they can pivot freely... Make SURE the PTO slip-clutch will operate, and is able to slip at just above full power...will take the shock out of the drive-line(some)....!! Anything has to help..that is tough on the entire PTO, and gearbox...!!!



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Ludwig

03-10-2003 13:11:26




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 Re: Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Ron, 03-09-2003 08:42:33  
Good sharp blades cut better, but dull or just slightly dull blades thrash better and the little trees don't grow back so fast.

Although my Uncle Reg swore his brother ruined a field, he mowed it and it all grew back in bushes. Only too 25 years...



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Ludwig

03-10-2003 13:06:25




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 Re: Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Ron, 03-09-2003 08:42:33  
Good sharp blades cut better, but dull or just slightly dull blades thrash better and the little trees don't grow back so fast.

Although my Uncle Reg swore his brother ruined a field, he mowed it and it all grew back in bushes. Only too 25 years...



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Scott

03-08-2003 19:29:30




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Bob, I don't know where you live at, but if it's cold out....I mean real cold, I found something out today. Those trees freeze prety hard in this cold stuff. I just took a 28 hp tractor, and a good blade, and cleared out two areas full of stuff I couldn't mow with the brush hog. Those little trees just snap off with a good sturdy blade turned backwards. What a time saver!

Bundle up good, and go have some fun blading those things up into a pile.

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Eric Perry

03-08-2003 19:16:32




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Bob, I have an older version of your tractor, A John Deere 300 gas. We got a new John Deere MX5 cutter last summer and it does a good job. I live in SE Mass and have been using it to help some neigbors clear an old pasture. I try to use the loader to push over the stuff that is 1" to 2" over and then chop it up with the mower. I usually have the mower up about a foot and lower it over the next few passes and that chops everything pretty good.
Like some one else said, a logging type helmet would be a good idea, those branches sting good when you get smacked it the face with one.
Hope this info was helpfull, Eric Perry.

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Ludwig

03-08-2003 08:08:31




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Hey Bob,
I'm from Maine, but living in exile in MA. I've got a small farm up in Caribou.

I've got a Farmall Super M with an old Hesston Super 6 mower and that sucker will cut trees BIGGER than the front axle will push down. Sometimes used the rear wheel to push a tree down, then hit it with the mower. That works every time. I've mowed some BIG stuff. Its pretty scary like the others say and its definately something to work up to.

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Ludwig

03-08-2003 08:07:30




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Hey Bob,
I'm from Maine, but living in exile in MA. I've got a small farm up in Caribou.

I've got a Farmall Super M with an old Hesston Super 6 mower and that sucker will cut trees BIGGER than the front axle will push down. Sometimes used the rear wheel to push a tree down, then hit it with the mower. That works every time. I've mowed some BIG stuff. Its pretty scary like the others say and its definately something to work up to.

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larry

03-08-2003 04:49:41




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
we have done the same with 6 ft jd on 40 hp but with the jd watch the blades there are differn't kinds of blades some are thicker and better for brush cutting



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hay

03-08-2003 04:38:10




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
like someone else said, if the FEL or the front axle can push over what you want to cut then the cutter should be able to do it. also if you are careful you can push over with a front tire. one major problem with cutting brush/trees is the stump/stub left behind. if it is not removed below ground level it will still be there on the next mowing and can puncture a tire. pulling the brush/small trees out complety is the best removal method. above all wear heavy clothing and safety glasses and head protection. objects come out from a cutter at high speed and can hit hard.

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James

03-07-2003 20:50:23




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Keep your rpms high it will cut best.



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kjm

03-07-2003 20:25:06




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
Bob, Make sure that the brush hog has a safty clutch on it. It`s a lot cheaper than a new gear box when you hit the big one. If I can knock it down with the front axle I will mow it. lol kjm



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C. Burnett

03-07-2003 19:15:51




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
I've done quite a bit of bush hogging over the past few years and most any bush hog will at least beat down anything that, say maybe an 8N Ford would be able to ride down. Yes even bigger than 2 inches. As stated by someone else it sounds like all He!! is breaking loose and it is hard on the equipment. Save yourself a possible punctured tire the next time you run over the stubble and hire yourself a dozer to skim thru that small stuff and be done with it for good.

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Robert in W. Mi

03-07-2003 13:43:00




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
I hope you are getting a brush hog with at least a 90hp gear box (bigger yet would be better yet) for that size tractor in couple inch trees, and who knows what else? stones?? stumps?? My choise would be a Woods brand Medium duty "Brush Bull" cutter. Better cutters have a lot heavier skirting and deck too, and for brush ect. you need that. Don't ride the clutch, as that's just a good way to ruin the clutch!! Get a "good" cutter and use your lowest gear at PTO speed! With 50hp you won't have any trouble. Be carefull with those stubs on your tires!! Cut them low, don't hold the cutter up. Robert

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F14 - Hey, Bob

03-07-2003 04:56:11




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 Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to Bob Wilbur , 03-06-2003 22:05:34  
I'm in Maine too, across Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor.

I've done just what you describe, mowing down and chopping up alder brush and poplars. I used my JD750 and a Woods M5, so it was pretty slow going, and its hard on the the 'hog, but it WILL work.

On the standing stuff, I did just what you said, run the bucket up to act as a bumper, bend the tree over and run over it. Might take two or three trips to chowder it up properly and grind the stump off.

Wear a logging helmet with a face screen and earmuffs, chips fly everywhere, and the noise is incredible.

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dhermesc

03-07-2003 09:57:58




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 Re: Re: Looking for Bush Hogging info in reply to F14 - Hey, Bob, 03-07-2003 04:56:11  
If its small enough to go under the "hog" its small enough to get cut off. You might be riding the clutch a lot though. I would not advise backing over, you can get something a little too big that way. I have even used a sickle mower to cut off trees less then 2", again you will be riding the clutch a lot.



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