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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

How to decide what size brushhog to buy?

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Bill A

07-25-2006 09:04:05




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How do you decide if your tractor will handle a 6', 7' or any size brushhog? How do you match up the proper size to your tractor? Thanks...




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kyhayman

07-25-2006 18:12:46




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
That much ground, I'd want at least a 15' batwing. Been mowing this week here, got about 200 acres to mow and I couldnt imagine using anything less than 15' (and wishing tonight as I get ready to soak my back Id bought a 20')

This year Im using a 7600 Ford, but have used a 7710 and a 7610 in years past. I've paid from $5500 (7600 with 12,000 hrs and horrible paint)-$8000 (*cherry 7610 black strip low profile with 3300 hrs off a highway mowing contractor) for them by shopping around.

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Bill A

07-25-2006 16:23:30




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
Guys, I appreciate all of the replies. They are all helpful. Here is the deal. I have 320 rough acres of rolling hills with about 200 acres in woods and 120 acres sort of clear. I have been all over the 120 once with a MF135 and a 6' brush hog. My plans are to acquire an appropriate tractor and brush hog because the tractor I currently have is borrowed. I want to keep my tractor purchase under $8500. I will probably only brush hog most of it once or twice a year. Keep the advice coming. It is really appreciated.....

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Leland

07-25-2006 16:13:12




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
Get something like a 4010 or 706 they handle a 7'er nicely and usually anything the tractor will knock over the hog will eat it .



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Fred Martin

07-25-2006 15:26:50




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
I used to run a 6" rotary cutter on a 9N Ford and I had to keep the blades sharp, sometimes everyday as I was mowing whole farms for a realty company. The 9N had a good strong engine and would lift the mower but it was heavy at around 700 lbs. Only once did I have to set the mower up high to open up a field...and then if the tractor started pulling down, I would just move over away from the cut. You have to hang it on chains to lift it up for the first cut. Fred OH

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want_GOOD_Tractor

07-25-2006 10:11:31




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
OK I am cuuting about a 50 acre field that is full of sapplings and small trees. It was once timber land that was cutt over and burned. What would you all recomend for this?



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Bill(Wis)

07-25-2006 15:51:13




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to want_GOOD_Tractor, 07-25-2006 10:11:31  
Look at John Deere 609 or 709 Heavy Duty Rotary Cutters. Both are rated to cut up to 4" material. They'll tell you how much tractor you need. I've cut down some pretty good sized brush and small saplings with my Land Pride RCR 25-72 rotary cutter. It's rated to cut up to 3" material. On 50 acres, you'll be at it for a while. John Deere has a website. You can look at all the specs, build and price and even download the operators manual. Best website out there. Go to agriculture, products, cutters and shredders.

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want_good_trarctor

07-25-2006 17:43:07




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill(Wis), 07-25-2006 15:51:13  
good post...



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RustyFarmall

07-25-2006 10:22:53




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to want_GOOD_Tractor, 07-25-2006 10:11:31  
Saplings could probably be cut with a brush mower, small trees will require a bull dozer.



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John T

07-25-2006 09:56:36




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
Bill, You get a better job if the brush hog is wide enough to cover out n mow at least the rear tire width PROVIDED you have the HP to run it at RPM as JD described. The HP depends on if youre really Brush Hogging like heavy thick down wet grass or brush n thorns or saplings orrrrr rrrr finish mowing shorter grass. If finish mowing grass and the blades are kept sharp it dont take the HP that brush hogging tall weeds or heavy down fescue grass does. Regardless I still like it wide enough to cover out the rear tire width. A 6 ft hog ought to cover smaller tractor width depending on where the tire are set while it may take a 7 ft for a larger tractor. A 5 ft might do for a lil Ford or similar sized tractor and thats about all they have the HP to handle anyway...

John T

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Jerry/MT

07-25-2006 09:54:42




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
In my opinion,there are two factors ( besides the intended use i.e. moderate mowing versus cutting brush versus cutting 1 inch diameter saplings, etc.) to consider. The PTO horsepower of the tractor(s)using the cutter and the weight of the cutter relative to the weight of the tractor(s)using it.
Most people focus on the former, but the weight of the cutter relative to the weight of the tractor needs serious consideration because it affects how the tractor/cutter combination steers, brakes, it's stability on hillsides, and the ability of the three point hitch to lift the cutter(it it is mounted on the three point).
For example, an 8N or a TO-30 has adequate horsepower to utilize a 6 foot cutter in moderate grass conditions but the three point hitch is limited to about 750-800 lbs in lifting capability. (There are heavy duty 5 foot cutters that weigh near to 1000 lbs.) At weights above approximately 500 pounds, the front end needs ballast to allow for steering capability and there is some concern over climbing hills with the mower either raised or on the trail wheel.

I have a Ford 4610 and a TO-30 and use a 6 foot rotary cutter that weighs in at about 750-800 pounds. I don't even know it's on the 4610 when I'm using it relative to power requitements and steering, braking and stability. I have only moved it around on the TO-30 and while my 3 pt handles it very well, another few pounds of weight on the three point and the front wheels will be off the ground. I have done some calculations and I think I need about 100 pounds of ballast at the front end to use it safely. I'll either put a weight bracket on the front axle or ballast the front tires.

Hope this gives you some food for thought. Be safe out there.

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Mike M

07-25-2006 09:54:24




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
It all depends on how high of stuff you want to mow down ?

I would bypass a brush hog type all together in favor of a flail mower or a finish mower depending on if you want to keep it mowed up or just do it a few times a year when it's high.I never did like the results left by a brush hog type and plus they are dangerous if you hit something compared to a flail type.



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JDknut

07-25-2006 09:11:21




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 Re: How to decide what size brushhog to buy? in reply to Bill A, 07-25-2006 09:04:05  
If you are buying a new one, the brochures generally say what PTO HP is recommended for each size of brushog. Or with a used hog, you can cross reference what the brochures say for the new ones and apply it to a used one. Generally as a rule of thumb, you can use a 5' brushog with anything 25-30 PTO HP and up, and about 10-15 HP for every foot you go bigger, depending on what you are cutting and whether the tractor is gas or Diesel. You don't want it to bog down too much as you get a better cut when you keep the RPM's up. just my $0.02.

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