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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

brush hog size

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Rick K.

03-15-2004 12:38:34

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Hopefully this is a little different than the standard brush hog question. I'm looking for a little advice on the size of brush hog I can effectively use. I have a 3930 New Holland 45hp PTO. I have been told everything from 6ft to 10ft will work. I really can't see my tractor turning a 10 footer in heavy or wet field grass, much less brush. It will be used on a 15 acre field for occasional mowing. No brush, but I may cut some in the future, so I think a belt driven is out. The info. I see leads me to a 7 footer. Any real "field experience" from you guys would be great. Thanks

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Leroy

03-18-2004 15:45:41

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

In heavy stuf a 5' will kill a 60 HP tractor, light a 18 Hp will pull it so figure out how heavy you want to mow, much over yard that 7' will overload a 80 HP tractor

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Rick K.

03-16-2004 05:21:21

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to look for a 7 footer, with dual tailwheels to try to avoid scalping. I know anything I buy will go much faster than my little Kubota and king kutter setup. So if anyone has a nice 7 footer, 3pt mt., within 7-8 hours of central Michigan let me know. I really dont want to purchase junk no matter what price. I already went that way once, I find its easier to buy something a little nicer and maintain it than try to repair someone elses damage.

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Mark

03-16-2004 05:40:12

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Re: Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-16-2004 05:21:21

Rick,

Thanks for the feedback. Wish you luck with your purchase. When you shop, pay particular attention to the wheel leveling/balance setup. The wheel should be adjustable and when moved up and down, the deck should remain level. Any sloppyness in either side will allow your deck to scalp. If you go with hydraulic controls on height, it is a bit tricky returning it to the previous level when raising the deck for any reason. The manual turnbuckle is a pain and I usually left mine in one spot on my 8'drag with dual wheels and 2 blades. I took my hyd cylinder off and installed the manual device shortly after I purchased it.

7' on a 3 pt is getting pretty far out there so you probably will only find drag type. Again, be sure you get a good gearbox as 7' is a big moment arm and if you whack something solid your drive train is going to shudder even though you will surely have protection (shear pin or slip clutch). If slip clutch, be sure it works and can be adjusted by you.

If you are going to mow flat ground you may be satisfied, but if there is much up and down, the 7' has a long reach and can skin the tops and leave the valleys long.

Best,

Mark

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Mark

03-15-2004 19:53:47

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

Ok Rick,

This may be a bit wordy but you asked.

I spent the last 25 years trying to find the best grass cutter and I think I have it. I have gone from 18 hp tractors to 100 hp and 4'brush hog types to 3 blade finish types back to the brush hog types to a max of 8' which was wide and narrow with 2 4' blades. Had a neighbor with a 7' single.

Don't know where you are but I am on rectangular acreage but it is terraced and the terraces are at about 30 degrees from the rectangle. This means over the terrace, turn the big corner on one end and shallow on the other.

To save a lot of typing, the 6' is the best all around and I run it with a 3000 Ford Diesel @ around 40 PTO hp. If you get smaller than that it takes too long even though controlling the mower is excellent, and larger the mower is all over you with scalping and all.

The 3 pt is preferred over the drag as every time you turn the corner, the u-joints take a beating. 3 pt and everything stays in alignment and is quiet and maint free.

Get a gearbox exceeding your pto hp and you won't be sorry. My current prefereed 6' has a 60 hp gearbox for my (as mentioned) 40 hp tractor. Rip out one gearbox and you will know, as I now do, why you do this.

And, don't forget to get chains or something to keep the flying debris out of your tires AND YOUR BACK.

Good luck,

Mark

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Grant

03-15-2004 19:50:39

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

We have a 6' that came with our IH 484 (45 hp i think) whick is really almost undersized. We use it to mow lots(sometimes thick, rough stuff to cut) with the kubota L2900, which is maybe 36 hp? Anyway that tractor does fine with that mower, and your tractor could probably handle bigger than a 7 or 8. Yes a 10 foot mower could bog your tractor down in wet grass, but you can always wait for a nice dry day or 2 before you mow. Also, the bigger the mower the more the cost. However, the bigger deck size you have, the less time you spend out mowing. Anything bigger than 7 should really be pull behind and not 3 point. Once the decks get so big, rough terrain will really put a stress on the mowers 3 pt linkage. Also, with a bigger 3 pt hitch mower, you really need to have weight on the front to balance the mower when raised, either suitcases or a loader works great. My 2 cents.

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RWK in WI

03-15-2004 16:57:19

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

I have a Ford 3000 45 HP with a 6' brush hog. In light grass it loafs along but in heavy grass, wet areas, or thick brush it makes the tractor work. 7' might work if your cutting is light. I wouldn't want an 8' or larger. Also the 6' is just wider than the tractor rear tires so it is easy to judge distance.

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Mike

03-15-2004 14:42:21

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

Rick,
I have a JD 5105. 40 hp on the PTO. I pull a 6 foot fine in pretty heavy grass but from what I've experienced, I wish I had gotten a bigger one. Maybe 8 feet. You can always move over and mow only half a strip which makes pulling one easier in heavy grass but you can't make a mower wider than it is when in light grass and sometimes 6 feet dosen't seem that wide.
Good luck with your decision,
mike

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old

03-15-2004 12:50:06

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Re: brush hog size in reply to Rick K., 03-15-2004 12:38:34

I have an old 801 ford 46HP and a 6 ft hog will make it bark at times so a 7 ft will work good for you unless you get in to something real hard to cut then it may be to big.

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