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8n - sickle mower or bush hog?

D

durrell

New User
Hi there I have a 1948 8n and have some fields that will need mowing, and am looking for advice on which would be better - a sickle bar mower, or a bush hog. I primarily mow the fields to keep the saplings down, and will be mowing roughly 10 acres of rock, stumpy terrain. I am also looking for what will be least taxing on the tractor....speed is not an issue! Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
a brush hog, you will wreck a sickle bar mower on fields like that there for cutting hay, the 8 n in decent condition can easily run a 5 foot brush hog
 
what ever you get wont matter too much as long as its a 5 footer BUT what ever you do put a overrun pto clutch on the tractor
 
Hands down, rotary mower for what you describe. There are a few things to look after on one of these, but its not much and usually very simple. Well the blade holder/ stump pans can be tough to remove sometimes, seals can leak on the gearbox at the input and output shafts, requiring repair or a heavier lube. its a good idea to look these over well when buying used.
 
Mist any brush hog will due since they are all pretty much the same. You do want to have an ORC before you even put the hog on or you could become dead or hurt
 
(quoted from post at 15:48:42 07/08/16) Mist any brush hog will due since they are all pretty much the same. You do want to have an ORC before you even put the hog on or you could become dead or hurt
Click to expand...

OLD WAKE UP!!!! they are referring to any three point rotary as a Brush Hog which is a brand. You do not allow this. Pay attention and perform your duty, young fella, LOL.
 
(quoted from post at 23:00:02 07/08/16) Hi there I have a 1948 8n and have some fields that will need mowing, and am looking for advice on which would be better - a sickle bar mower, or a bush hog. I primarily mow the fields to keep the saplings down, and will be mowing roughly 10 acres of rock, stumpy terrain. I am also looking for what will be least taxing on the tractor....speed is not an issue! Thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...

You could also consider a flail mower for your rough ground.
 
You must mean size as bush hog is a brand and a very fine machine. In my opinion much better than other brush hogs or also called
rotary cutters.
 
(quoted from post at 16:25:59 07/08/16)
(quoted from post at 15:48:42 07/08/16) Mist any brush hog will due since they are all pretty much the same. You do want to have an ORC before you even put the hog on or you could become dead or hurt
Click to expand...

OLD WAKE UP!!!! they are referring to any three point rotary as a Brush Hog which is a brand. You do not allow this. Pay attention and perform your duty, young fella, LOL.
Click to expand...

Wow! And I've never heard of a Brush Hog brand. Can't find it on the internet either. We always refer tot hem as brush hogs.

Now I have heard of Bush Hog brand...
 

A Flail mower will require far more HP than your 8n will ever muster..

Use a 5 foot wide "Rotary Cutter" and no smaller....you need the Blade "Tip Speed" to hammer through some of those old stumps, etc..

Sounds like you are not planning to cut all that close to the ground..hope the saplings are not more than 2 years in growth..

I have cut worse, with my late Styled JD "B" and 6' Bush Hog and the saplings were far taller than me standing on the platform..(maybe 6' higher than my head..).

With the rear of the BH adjusted about 10" higher than the front (front 3-4" off the ground), snd gear nearly all of the time, but one tough area put me in 1st gear with all she could muster ( with Sharp Blades )...

Have Fun, just be Careful and let NO ONE else near you when cutting that stuff...!
 
No matter which you choose, you are running a "legacy" tractor without live PTO or live hydraulics/3-point or power steering.

What you can cut in an afternoon with all the aggravation that goes with it won't be HALF what can be done with a more modern (even by a few years) tractor with PS, live hydraulics and live/independent PTO.

That being said, I've had a number of N's over the years and don't despise them, but they are what they are, a legacy/antique tractor.
 
Get both Others comment on the bush hog type. But the side (or rear) sickle would do well for ditches and such.
 
Durrell as tn terry t says get a overrideing pto clutch-- get a good 1 not a cheap one-- cheap ones will kill you
 
Where are you at?

I have a 5' King Kutter that I want to get rid of.

Mower is good, bent the tailwheel.
 
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