Category 2 implement on a category 1 tractor

[RunningSpring]

Gentlemen,

I'm looking to purchase the cp560 (rotary brush cutter) from Baumalight. I want to run it on my families Massey Ferguson 245 which has a category 1 type hitch. The implement is category 2. I have attached (or tried to) the spec sheet from Baumalight. My question is this: It looks like all I would need to do is just put in category 1 pins with maybe a bushing. Is it that simple? I should have plenty of spread on my lift arms. Thanks again guys. Just need some advice before I make a big (for me) purchase

 

[RunningSpring]

 

[mwb]

Nice looking cutter! The hitches have a different geometry so you might have weird angles mixing the two. The top link are different heights relative to the lift arms: Three-point hitch - Wikipedia

Since that cutter is cat 2 it might be a little heavy for your tractor - and the Cat 1 hitch. Your horsepower is sufficient (minimum) but the front end might be a little light. I think I would recommend getting a lighter bushhog.

 

[MHarryE]

They recommend 40 to 65 HP tractor so you should be okay although a little light for what the cutter is shown capable of - if the arms fit. Hitch categories are per a SAE standard - Cat 1 up to 45 HP, Cat 2 40 to 100. Kubota Grand L's, for example, have the L4560 with Cat 1 and L5060 with Cat 1-2. I have a L6060 with the Cat 1-2. The mounting points are sized for Cat 2 so to use a Cat 1 I need to sleeve or switch the pins on the implement to Cat 2 (if possible). So if the cutter is Cat 2, the pins are larger than the spherical bushings in your lift arms so its not possible to sleeve. If you put smaller pins in the cutter holes (as the pins shown in the illustration), they will be really sloppy. Dimensions look like a perfect fit for Cat 1 except for pin diameter which isn't shown on the illustration.

 

[JohnnyMX]

The weight of that tractor is around 4K so it probably will be fine. It may get light up front, but I guess you can fix that with some suitcase weights if it is an issue. I presume you are buying such a HD cutter because you have some pretty gnarly stuff you want to cut. You are on the bottom end of the HP range though which may mean you can't get the best out of the machine. Your gearbox is super safe, but make sure you aren't buying a Ferrari to drive in a school zone. I had a cutter too big and had to drive so slow to compensate it drove me crazy.

 

[RunningSpring]

Thanks for the replies. I do have heavy suitcase weights up front so I think I'm fine on the weight. In terms of the horsepower, I do appreciate I'm at the bottom end of the recommended range. I do have a heavy brush hog already and it's just not quite up to what I'd like to do. I'm trying to clear an overgrown field (mostly coyote brush) and it's just to heavy to do with my brush hog. This machine seemed good because with the open back I thought I could get to the brush without having to drive over it.
In terms of making the pins fit; is there a bushing that goes in the holes of the attachment to reduce the slop? Or is there another way I could make it fit? I'm not totally sold on this particular attachment but I am looking for some piece of heavy equipment to clear this area.

 

[mcfarmall]

Get yourself a Brown Tree Cutter!

 

[Xfaxman]

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In terms of making the pins fit; is there a bushing that goes in the holes of the attachment to reduce the slop? Or is there another way I could make it fit? I'm not totally sold on this particular attachment but I am looking for some piece of heavy equipment to clear this area.

Yes, get two Cat2 to Cat1 Pins. The thread diameter is 1-1/8", the pin is 7/8":

 

[oosik]

Honestly - I think I would want a heavier tractor. It might just be like the tail wagging the dog here. JMHO

 

[mwb]

This project sounds like grinding off brush and leaving fuzzy stumps everywhere. Since we now know you already have a bush hog, perhaps you would do better with another implement that helps you pull out the brush - stump and all. Make a burn pile and you will be better off in the long run.

Not sure if you have a loader, but there should be a 3pt attachment that allows you to grip the base of the brush and lift - push - pull and rip it out.

Google '3pt tree puller'.

 

[RunningSpring]

I don't think the tractor is big enough for a Brown, though that looks like a great machine. I don't have a front end loader on the tractor...I'll check out those 3 point tree pullers. Does anyone have any experience using this on heavy brush/small trees?

 

[RunningSpring]

I couldn't find any 3 point mounted tree pullers in my size range that looked at all capable. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[jjp8182]

Have you looked at one of these yet?

Product Page | DFM

www.dfmattachments.com

If I recall correctly it ended up being the implement used in the project in this thread:

Best way to clear unwanted trees from pasture

Hi all, I just bought 50 acres, about 35 pasture and 15 woods. Land is flat. Pasture has been neglected for many years and has hundreds of trees in it that need to be cleared. Most are Bradford pears and cedar trees, about 5-6 inches in diameter and about 20 feet tall. I want to make a wide...

www.tractorbynet.com

...which may be something of a similar task to what you're looking to do?

Otherwise a SSQA-mounted puller combined with a 3pt to SSQA adapter (like this one by ATI: Change your 3 point hitch to universal quick attach) may be another option..

 

[Xfaxman]

I couldn't find any 3 point mounted tree pullers in my size range that looked at all capable. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Galen Koeckeritz makes them to fit either end, or in your case the rear end:

Website: Custom built Skid Steer attachments to fit almost any need you may have.<br />

 

[Farmer495]

This may not apply on a 245, but some MF that size had interchangeable ball ends, you just pull a pin and swap them out. Have a 240 built that way, top link switches end for end to be Cat i or Cat II balls.

 

[JohnnyMX]

Here is what I hear so far:
- Want to clear brush (coyote brush)
- Tractor is a 45HP Massey Ferguson weight around 4K WITH NO LOADER
- Original desire to buy Baumalight CP560 ($5K) ; tractor is at the low end of the HP range for this cutter.

Is there any option to buy a loader for that machine and go the toothbar, grapple or treepuller route?

How often do you need to keep things cleared out? Is it feasible to rent a skid steer with a forestry mulcher rather than buy a 5K implement that semi doesn't match up well with the tractor?

 

[JohnnyMX]

I was in the same spot where I had a tractor (Kubota 22hp with no loader) and by the time it would take to find a loader the thing still wouldn't be in the power and capability range I needed. Any implements I bought for that size wouldn't carry over into the size I actually needed so I would end up either with undersized stuff, buying stuff too big and running under powered, or trying to sell mine to buy larger and wasting money. I ended up going for the tractor that made the most sense and then could save for what I needed to use it for. The other tractor was free so this was a tough call.

That mulcher does look sweet if you got the HP to run it and could hook it up (which should be doable in some fashion)

 

[RunningSpring]

I appreciate all the helpful responses. Looks like I'm going to have to chew on this problem for a little while longer...I'll check back in when I decide which way to go