TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum

How much bush will a bush hog cut?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

David Morgan

05-04-2005 05:50:14

Report to Moderator

I've got 6+ acres of wooded lot. Actually you could call it "forest". There is a large abount of undergrowth from small clumps of bushy trees to some I know will require a chain saw.

What is the largest material I can expect to cut with a 4' bush hog behind a Ford 8N?

I think a walk behind machine of some kind would be better but I haven't seen one I felt like would do the job and the good ones appear to cost more than my tractor.

Looking for suggestions, ideas, swift kick in the butt, whatever..... :-)

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

E. Ray

05-04-2005 13:58:08

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

When I was about 14 yrs. old (early 60s), my Dad bought a hill farm here in Kentucky. Was overgrown with Cedar trees and using a Jubilee with a 5', rubber tire driven �stump jumper�, I mowed every thing I could push over with the Jubilee. Had the front wheels off the ground and my pucker string tight all summer..... E. Ray

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Rick H. Ga.

05-04-2005 10:44:38

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I've cut pine saplings up to 3 inches or so and hardwood saplings up to 2 inches or so.

I'd run over the pines with the back tires and bend them over and then let the brushhog do its work.

The hardwood saplings are a lot tougher than the pines.

Go slow and keep the hog raised slightly.

HTH. Rick H. Ga.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dean

05-04-2005 07:28:42

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I know of no walk behind machine that will cut the stuff that a decent N with 5 foot or smaller bush hog will cut, excepting a chain saw, of course. The size of saplings that you can cut will depend upon several things including the size and design of your cutter, the condition of your tractor, the lay of the land, and, most importantly, the kind of saplings and density of growth. Your 48" cutter will be less of a load on your tractor than will be a 5 foot.

I have cut many soft saplings, e.g. willow, 2 1/2" or more in diameter with my 51 8N and old, rugged 5 foot cutter with slip clutch but will get out the chain saw for any 1" osage orange. My N does have a Sherman combo which slows down the PTO, increasing the available torque as a result, when in underdrive.

Make sure that your have the proper shear pins in your driveshaft or your slip clutch is properly adjusted and not rusted frozen if so equipped.

Dean

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

souNdguy

05-04-2005 07:13:31

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

1" or so woody.. perhaps up to almost 2" green regular use. Everything else large I would be carefull, and cut only occasionally.

I've personally run over 2" green that laid over nicely.. sapplings.. etc and cut some 1.5" woody stuff.. it made some complaining noise.. but went thru fine.

Soundguy

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Steve (Magnolia, TX)

05-04-2005 07:11:54

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

With my '50 8N and 4' BMB brush hog, I pretty much follow the rule that if the tractor'll bend it over, I'll mow it. That USUALLY equates to about 1.5-2" for pine, sweet gum and yaupon, 1-1.5" for oaks. I've tackled some young pines that were 12-15' tall, but only 1.5-2" diameter at the base. You could sure hear 'em when I cut 'em, but didn't seem to adversely affect anything...

Good Luck and keep on 'N'-ing...

:-)
Steve

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Rob

05-04-2005 06:36:39

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I"ve looked at a few mowers and they are typically rated up to 1" diameter brush. You can bull through rougher stuff but you punish your machines and it will cost you in wear and tear.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

old

05-04-2005 06:33:24

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I've cut stuff up to around 3 inches but its not a good idea to do so, very hard on both tractor and hog, I also wasn't useing an 8N. 1-1-1/2 is about all the bigger you should try and even then you will have to take it slow.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

GA Jim

05-04-2005 06:25:56

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I've cleared several acres where I'm building a new house and at our family farm with my 8N and a 5 ft. bushhog. If it is a sapling that the froint bumper will push over easily, my bushhog will chew it up and spit it out. You may need to cut less than a full swath if it is really thick. I've cut sweet gum and pine trees up to 1 inch or 1 1/2 inches in diameter and brush that was 5 - 6 feet high with no problem.

But, watch out for stumps. Don't ask how I know that. :-) GA Jim

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bob in NC

05-04-2005 06:20:31

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

...if a bush hog would cut bush... Up to about an inch thick for most light duty models like the KK. It also depends on the condition your engine is in, how dense the growth is, etc. Personally I tend to be very hesitant to cut in unfamiliar ground--especially in forested areas where all sorts of unseen hazards may be present like large stumps or gulleys that can flip your tractor, old barbed wire, and no telling what else. Walk it on foot first, then go very slow and cautiosly if you decide to tackle it. Good luck!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

OH Boy

05-04-2005 06:10:25

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 05:50:14

I hear reports of folks cutting down bushes up to a couple of inches in diameter. That makes me shudder! I cut small saplings (under 1 inch) all the time with mine and it makes one heck of a racket but it does do it. On the bigger stuff I am more inclined to cut them off at the ground with the chain saw, then use the bush hog periodically to mow down the suckers that will pop up.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

David Morgan

05-04-2005 06:16:13

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to OH Boy, 05-04-2005 06:10:25

I've been at it with a chain saw so far but with 6+ acres I'm going to be doing that for a long long time I think and with two burst discs and a wore out neck I'd sure like to find a better way. :-)

I'm trying to NOT do that outsourcing thing they got going on over in the Winn Dixie parking lot. hehehe

Anyone know where I can get some billy goats that can mow down two inch sapplings? :-)

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Bob In NC

05-04-2005 06:31:29

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 06:16:13

David, actually a herd of goats is not a bad idea at all. They will make quick work out of stuff like poison ivy and kudzu, and maybe clear out your property enough for you to bush hog the rest more easily. I'm thinking of doing that myself to clear some riding trails in our woods. The hardest past will be containing them and keeping them off the neighbor's land.

bob

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

David Morgan

05-04-2005 06:48:24

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to Bob In NC, 05-04-2005 06:31:29

I'd be game for the goats to tell the truth but containment would be an issue and I'm afraid I'd likely run into zoning problems too.

hmmmmm, I wonder if you can hire a shepard and his flock by the day? :-)

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

John in Bama

05-04-2005 07:01:14

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 06:48:24

Well, I ran into the same thing. I have just about 8 acres. It was so overgrown that you could barely walk it. Most of the overgrowth was less than 1 1/2, but alot is not. I hired a guy and he came in with guess what - an old 9N with a 5 ft hog. After I located all the obstacles, and removed all debris, he went right at it. Didn"t sound like he did his machine any good, but he got it all cut. Took a day and a half, and $500 but he got it done. Now I am at it with the chainsaw and ax trying to clear the rest. I have found that a Husqvarna brush cutter with a 10 inch blade will take down up to 8 inch trees. Just a thought so you dont have to bend and chainsaw so much. Good luck with it. Two times hogging and I am ready for a finish mower!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

David Morgan

05-04-2005 07:15:26

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to John in Bama, 05-04-2005 07:01:14

I'll check out the Husky brush cutter. The bending is what I'm really trying to get out of I think.

I'll never need the finish mower. There will NOT be any grass on my property. :-)

Won't be any sheet rock in my house either.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

John in Bama

05-04-2005 19:28:55

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 07:15:26

LMAO, you sound like you are in the same spot I am, clearing the land, broke ground, and now it seems I am doing more clearing than they are homebuilding.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

don t.-9n180179

05-04-2005 09:21:16

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to David Morgan, 05-04-2005 07:15:26

My neighbor uses a circular saw blade mounted on a Stihl weed wacker to maintain his Xmas tree farm. Cuts 4-8" diameter trees at ground level in minutes. I think he's still got all his toes (big grin).

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

gahorN

05-04-2005 22:30:20

Report to Moderator

Re: How much bush will a bush hog cut? in reply to don t.-9n180179, 05-04-2005 09:21:16

For about $250 rented a good sized JD all day with a green shredder on it that whacked all the 2 and 3" mesquite (hardwood) down in a field I intended to keep down with my own little 9N and shredder. Thereby used equipment that was adequate for the job and kept the wear off my machine. (Could've cost a lot more than that to destroy my machinery, so I felt it was a good investment. Plus, the rental equipment had better safeguards/shields on it for my own safety mowing in strange territory.)

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy