Re: working with bush hog

Posted by bbott on October 16, 2001 at 15:13:07 from (206.13.45.151):

In Reply to: working with bush hog posted by shirley on October 15, 2001 at 19:31:50:

Sounds like you're new to this, so bear with me if I'm too basic here.

What gear you put the tractor in has nothing to do with the PTO RPM's.. Engine speed determines PTO speed.. (** see note)

On a tractor, the tachometer is your best friend (next to the oil pressure gauge.)

Your tachometer should have some markings on it that show '540 PTO' and perhaps '1000 PTO'...

To use a pto implement you adjust the throttle so that the tachometer needle is on the '540' mark if the implement is rated for 540 rpm, and on the 1000 mark if the implement is rated for 1000. (540 is the most common PTO speed)

Then, for tractor gear selection, choose a forward speed that suits your skill level, the material being cut, and the terrain.

My advice is to start very slow (in a low gear), get comfortable mowing and then think about shifting into a higher gear only if it seems practical and safe.

If the higher gear is too fast, shift back to a lower gear... stay safe... and don't mow across sidehills, go up and down.

Some other suggestions...

Throttle the engine down to just above idle for engaging/disengaging the PTO. If you don't have a clutched PTO you absolutely need to do this.
After the PTO is engaged, then bring it up to rated speed.

Make sure the bushog is mounted and adjusted properly. If it's not, you can raise the hog up and the mower driveshaft can hit the frame.. not a good thing. Make sure this doesn't happen to you.

Watch out for junk in the field.. and don't let anyone near where you're mowing. These things can sling rocks and debris with fatal velocity.

If the ground is 'new' to you, walk it first and mark any obstacles with stakes or flagging.

NEVER get off the tractor with a PTO implement engaged and running... this is how lots of people have been hurt or killed. Disengage the PTO and wait for the implement to stop turning before you approach it.

Basic rule of tractor safety...
If in doubt, if you don't know,.. don't do it.

---------------------------
(** Note) Some tractors have a 'ground speed' PTO setting where the pto turns in relation to the speed of the tractor wheels. (very slowly)

This is used only for special applications and is not the proper selection for bushhogging.

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