bush hog size/conversion to 12 volt

1) What size bush hog is best to use without over taxing the tractor? My intended use is cutting roadsides and 3.5 acres of pasture.

2) My tractor has a dead battery and really dirty wiring. In looking around for a battery and wiring I'm really tempted to convert on over to 12 volt. I read the article here and checked out the kit. Any thoughts on this? This is not a restoration tractor but will be used for working around our hobby farm.

Thanks!

Stick with the 6V system. I havn't had a lick of trouble with mine in the 12 yrs. I've had it. All the parts are readily available, including batteries.

I"d recommend going with a 5" brush hog. I use a 4" on my 8N ("cause that"s what came with it), but I think that I"d rather have at least a 5"er.

I"ve got a 12V conversion on my 8N (again, "cause that "s what it came with), but, assuming that your generator works, you can repair and maintain your 6V system for less than upgrading (then maintaining) to a 12V system...

Steve

2) I personally think 12 volt conversion is a waste of time and money. A well-maintained 6 volt system will start anytime, anywhere. Last week, for the first time in years, my 8N wouldn't start. First thing I did was check for spark, and as always was amazed at the size and strength of my 6 volt spark...far better than any of my "modern" and "high tech" 12 volt cars or other equipment. (Reason the 8N wouldn't start, BTW, was I had stupidly left the gas valve open for a week, parked on a hill, and apparently the carb float stuck open so everything was literally full of liquid gasoline.) I know there's lots of guys that'll swear by their 12 volt conversions, but there's also lots who sold their tractors in frustration after failing to do the job right, too.

Anyway, good luck!

Tom A

Do yourself a favor and get an over running coupler as well. It keeps the hog from driving the tractor via the drive train.cost is about 50-80 depending on brand/make. Depending on what pto stub your tractor has, will determine what orc you get. If you have the modern 1 3/8 pto.. you just need a regular 1 3/8 to 1 3/8 orc.. if you have the old 1 1/8 pto.. you can do one of three things. Buy a new shaft that comes with bearings and seals, already assembled. unbolt 4 bolts.. slid e old one out.. slide new one in. Or get a 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 orc.. they are available.. but sometimes you have to grind/chamfer the edge down a hair to get it to fit.cost is about 100$ There is also a 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 stub extender that pins on to your old stub, making it look like the new stub.. then you can use the regular orc.cost is about 16$ AVOID the small sheet metal 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 bushing that simply increases the pto spline diameter, and does not extend it... it chews up under load. cost is 4$

Soundguy

steveormary