Bush Hog vs Woods vs.....?

[cold1313]

For a comparison:

BB72X w/ chains: $2,450
BB720X w/ chains: $3,195

 

[Turbys_1700]

Either company makes brush cutters in light, medium, and heavy duty classifications. I've owned both brands over the years and can highly recommend either one. I am currently running a Brown 472 that is similar in specs to the BB720X and equivalent Bush Hog BH 26. I was fortunate to find a lightly used unit at 30% the cost of a new one. The durability of those units are excellent.

 

[cold1313]

I like the design on the BB720X but I think it's overkill for me. Weight and price.

I'm just surprised at the $300-$350 for chains on the BB72X

 

[JD5210]

You may find this video of interest.

Finish Mower or Brush Hog? - YouTube

 

[cold1313]

Yulp, I follow Tractor Mike on Youtube. I just sold a Woods 72" finish mower. Since I do not mow the area often, the finish mower had a hard time handling the tall grass. I'd often have to make 2 passes.

 

[cold1313]

2" cutting capacity and ~1000# for a 7' single spindle......neither I would consider an HD cutter. More like medium duty.

Which may be just fine.....but what do you intend to cut with it and how often? IF you are frequently mowing a pasture......either would be fine. IF you plan on mowing down land that has sat untouched for 5-6 years.....I'd want something with a little more heft.

If just doing pasture maintenance.....have you considered an 8' twin spindle cutter?

Would you consider the 72" BB72X a HD unit or jump up to the BB720X? A noticeable price increase.

 

[John_Mc]

My Woods BB60 same with the metal skirt. I used it for a season, then took them off and put chains on. However, I mow on some very rough ground, as well as some trails through my woods. I was always catching the metal skirt on something and bending it or tearing it up. Since they are flexible, the chains can go all the way to the ground, providing a bit better protection for thrown objects without always catching on the ground, gouging things up, and making it hard to turn. If I were mowing in a smoother area, it probably would not have made as much of a difference.

 

[cold1313]

I think I'll get chains to be safe.

I'm considering the BB720X - but I am curious what everyone thinks about the weight? i.e. when I'm mowing across a slope. Since my finish mower had 4 wheels (on my smaller tractor) it would drag the rear tires towards the pond. But now with the MX, and the chopper would have the weight on the 3 point and should help with traction, right?

 

[cold1313]

What are the thoughts on the weight of the BB720X? Some people were a little concerned about at 1200+ lbs cutter on a slope.

 

[oosik]

WHOO_EEE there rigustifson. Post #15 - lower pic - tractor on the left(LS XR 4155). Looks like you've been out raising some serious dust with that cutter. The way that tractor & cutter look - it must have been one H*LL of a dust cloud.

 

[lostcreekranch]

WHOO_EEE there rigustifson. Post #15 - lower pic - tractor on the left(LS XR 4155). Looks like you've been out raising some serious dust with that cutter. The way that tractor & cutter look - it must have been one H*LL of a dust cloud.

Before I took that picture I had blown most of the dust off the windows on the New Holland. They had looked the same. When it gets dry here, our sandy soil is like mowing in flour.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I would stay with a nice HD 72" model myself.

I've read that a lot of people don't like the 7' diameter. Just too big, blades hanging out there another 6" puts that much more torque loads on the system. I would prefer a 10' consisting of 2 5' blade systems if you want to cover your tractor. Can you put the wheels in some? Our 6' HD bushhog covers the wheelbase on our 5420.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've read that a lot of people don't like the 7' diameter. Just too big, blades hanging out there another 6" puts that much more torque loads on the system. I would prefer a 10' consisting of 2 5' blade systems if you want to cover your tractor. Can you put the wheels in some? Our 6' HD bushhog covers the wheelbase on our 5420.

Kyle, my 6’ Woods Brush Bull single spindle cutter is almost 12” longer, front to rear tailwheel, than my 8’ Bush Hog 3008 dual spindle cutter.

 

[cold1313]

Sticking with the 72".

Just wondering what the people with concerns on the heavier weight have to say / think. Again, mowing across slopes.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Sticking with the 72".

Just wondering what the people with concerns on the heavier weight have to say / think. Again, mowing across slopes.

IMHO, the lighter, less expensive, Woods BX72 will do everything you want to do. Mine does.

 

[LD1]

1200# on the back of a MX.....across a slope.....not a problem at all

 

[John_Mc]

Sticking with the 72".

Just wondering what the people with concerns on the heavier weight have to say / think. Again, mowing across slopes.

If you are wondering about roll-over, I would think the brush hog might actually improve stability, since all the weight is carried low. Also, if you are using it correctly, your tail wheel is on the ground, supporting a good bit of the weight. (I've also often wondered if swinging significant weight in the form of a mower blade my have a stabilizing, gyroscopic effect. I have no idea if it's enough to be significant, however.)

If you are worried about slipping sideways, I can't help you with that one. If you are on slopes so steep that the added weight does anything other than improve traction, you're working on a whole lot steeper than I do.

 

[Gary Fowler]

WHOO_EEE there rigustifson. Post #15 - lower pic - tractor on the left(LS XR 4155). Looks like you've been out raising some serious dust with that cutter. The way that tractor & cutter look - it must have been one H*LL of a dust cloud.

That is another reason why you need a cab when running one of those (dust and bugs). Mine has way more grass and limbs on top after cutting my pasture.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Sticking with the 72".

Just wondering what the people with concerns on the heavier weight have to say / think. Again, mowing across slopes.

I run a 7 foot mower single spindle with bush hog drive line and tail wheel that has a re-fabricated deck of 1/4" checker plate decking. The whole thing with dual tail wheels weigh over 1500# and in addition to the weight increasing traction, I think it actually has a stabilizing effect on hills due to all that weight being within inches of the ground.

 

[cold1313]

Thanks everybody!

The BB72X will do everything I need and more but for $800 or so more - I think I'll jump up to the BB720X @ around 1200lbs. Buy once, cry once. I am mowing sideways on the slope and will likely have the mower as low to the ground as I can. Probably will disconnect the top link to allow it to float more. The mower will likely hit the ground in the front but the 720 has nice skid shoes.

I haven't had this MX on the property yet since the weather went to crap as soon as it was delivered. The side stability is mostly pucker factor on my part. I DO have to worry about sliding sideways, but mainly due to if the ground is soft from rain. That was the issue with my 2013 B3200. Since my MX is larger and heavier (and 660lbs in rear wheel weights) - I am hoping even if the ground is soft, it will dig into the ground rather than slide sideways. We shall see.