FEL Mounted Brush Cutter Recommendations

[JWR]

While I am the voyeur nosing into RutnBucks business, I'm still hoping to see some pictures of his 80 acres. Understood that he plans to chew at this project for quite a long time and not set on doing it all next month. It makes a big difference how much of the time he is cutting small trees (ones that he may be able to bush hog, 3" or less) and what part of the job is underbrush, briars and misc stuff.
Prelim info it seems to me he needs both a 6ft medium duty bush hog AND some kind of forrestry mulching FEL mounted gadget -- if he can afford both. Maybe one now and one next year ? I do not share MechanicalGuy's opinion about the Forax. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as you are going with the PTO powered hydraulic motor version. I can't see the Briggs and Stratton version being very robust. Theres lot of brush you can reach with a FEL tool you cannot reach with a bush hog and you have way better visibility while doing it. I used a JD MX6 hog for 10 years (on a slightly larger JD4700) and it would be an ideal hog for him in my opinion. That is a competitive market and there are LOTS of good hogs around both new and used and many brands. The FEL mounted mulcher -- not so much. Being a flail machine, I'd want to see how heavy the chopper style flails are made and compare some competitors. I'd still think about the option of one of those HEAVY made FEL mounted 3-bladed hogs too that will cut much heavier material and are better suited to clearing than bush hogs. With the 4120 size tractor I would go with a smaller FEL mounted hog though like 54" or at most 60" rather than anything larger. Spartan at https://www.spartanequipment.com/products has a wide range of stuff to shop for ideas even if you buy some other brand. If the flail mulcher seems less durable, maybe a 60" (54" cut width) like the Spartan SE60BHPS would be a good fit for that JD 4120 ?

By the way, if it were up to me I would get a skid steer adapter for that FEL no matter which tool you choose.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

While I am the voyeur nosing into RutnBucks business, I'm still hoping to see some pictures of his 80 acres. Understood that he plans to chew at this project for quite a long time and not set on doing it all next month. It makes a big difference how much of the time he is cutting small trees (ones that he may be able to bush hog, 3" or less) and what part of the job is underbrush, briars and misc stuff.
Prelim info it seems to me he needs both a 6ft medium duty bush hog AND some kind of forrestry mulching FEL mounted gadget -- if he can afford both. Maybe one now and one next year ? I do not share MechanicalGuy's opinion about the Forax. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as you are going with the PTO powered hydraulic motor version. I can't see the Briggs and Stratton version being very robust. Theres lot of brush you can reach with a FEL tool you cannot reach with a bush hog and you have way better visibility while doing it. I used a JD MX6 hog for 10 years (on a slightly larger JD4700) and it would be an ideal hog for him in my opinion. That is a competitive market and there are LOTS of good hogs around both new and used and many brands. The FEL mounted mulcher -- not so much. Being a flail machine, I'd want to see how heavy the chopper style flails are made and compare some competitors. I'd still think about the option of one of those HEAVY made FEL mounted 3-bladed hogs too that will cut much heavier material and are better suited to clearing than bush hogs. With the 4120 size tractor I would go with a smaller FEL mounted hog though like 54" or at most 60" rather than anything larger. Spartan at https://www.spartanequipment.com/products has a wide range of stuff to shop for ideas even if you buy some other brand. If the flail mulcher seems less durable, maybe a 60" (54" cut width) like the Spartan SE60BHPS would be a good fit for that JD 4120 ?

By the way, if it were up to me I would get a skid steer adapter for that FEL no matter which tool you choose.

You just agreed with me, I said gas-powered version wasn't worth a crap "gp" 40. The gp in gP40 stands for gas powered.

You, then me:

. I would doubt that the Briggs & Stratton powered version is any good for brush, even light brush.

I just looked at the gp40, and that is a straight up piece of junk at any price

 

[LouNY]

Myself I would prefer the mulcher in a larger size over a brush hog for brush as is being worked up in the video.
We use a bat wing and a fixed 3 point and a skidsteer brush hog on the farm.
For trimming back hedgerows and mulching up small trees limbs and brush that mulcher is grinding it up into much smaller pieces.
The brush hogs chop it into much larger pieces and throw them out into the fields especially when elevated and backing into larger brush.
Then the dried limbs and such have to removed from any hay field or it can tear up equipment. The smaller chippings from a mulcher wouldn't have that issue.

Must be your brush hogs work better then mine.
When mine is raised all the way up with the lift arms and hydraulic top link debris seems to fly.
Maybe that just my imagination and lack of skill.
But then when the skidsteer has the hog way up in the air clearing limbs along a hedgerow,
it would be kind of hard to contain and chop that into little pieces.
Like a mulcher would do.
But that's just my opinion and you are welcome to yours as wrong as it may be.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Must be your brush hogs work better then mine.
When mine is raised all the way up with the lift arms and hydraulic top link debris seems to fly.
Maybe that just my imagination and lack of skill.
But then when the skidsteer has the hog way up in the air clearing limbs along a hedgerow,
it would be kind of hard to contain and chop that into little pieces.
Like a mulcher would do.
But that's just my opinion and you are welcome to yours as wrong as it may be.

A second pass over the debris on the ground works wonders. But I guess you already knew that too huh?

 

[RutnBuck]

If your land isn't perfectly smooth you'll be raising and lowering the FEL a lot to try to follow the contours of the land. It seems like if you can get the tractor and front mulcher into an area you could probably get the tractor and a 5' rotary cutter into the same area... it's not that much larger. Since the rotary sticks out some and mows in reverse (unlike a flail) you can back it under trees that you can't drive under. The rotary of course will follow the undulations of the ground. It might not get to every place you could get that front end mulcher to, but it could be pretty close depending on how far apart the trees are. Of course you can change that with a chainsaw.

Are you planning on brush clearing the entire 80ac? Is it all flat enough to operate on?

A couple other options might be rear mount 3pt mulchers or rotary brush cutters, like what's made by Baumalight.

Ericm979 . . . I do have slopes and I am taking that into consideration. Yes, my intent is to clear the entire 80 of the current fire fuels, get the tree limbs cut up to 6-8 ft height and then simply be able to go back over it in out-years with a mower like the Ventrac 4500. I know this will take time but approx 60-70 acres is 25+ year Fir re-prod that is at half-life now and I will be able to log it sometime in the future ($$$). I'm leaning towards the FEL mount bush hog like the Lane Shark or the HP40 mulcher, both of which I'll run off a aux hydro pump.

 

[RutnBuck]

If your land isn't perfectly smooth you'll be raising and lowering the FEL a lot to try to follow the contours of the land. It seems like if you can get the tractor and front mulcher into an area you could probably get the tractor and a 5' rotary cutter into the same area... it's not that much larger. Since the rotary sticks out some and mows in reverse (unlike a flail) you can back it under trees that you can't drive under. The rotary of course will follow the undulations of the ground. It might not get to every place you could get that front end mulcher to, but it could be pretty close depending on how far apart the trees are. Of course you can change that with a chainsaw.

Are you planning on brush clearing the entire 80ac? Is it all flat enough to operate on?

A couple other options might be rear mount 3pt mulchers or rotary brush cutters, like what's made by Baumalight.

Ericm979 . . . I do have slopes and I am taking that into consideration. Yes, my intent is to clear the entire 80 of the current fire fuels, get the tree limbs cut up to 6-8 ft height and then simply be able to go back over it in out-years with a mower like the Ventrac 4500. I know this will take time but approx 60-70 acres is 25+ year Fir re-prod that is at half-life now and I will be able to log it sometime in the future ($$$). I'm leaning towards the FEL mount bush hog like the Lane Shark or the HP40 mulcher, both of which I'll run off a aux hydro pump.

 

[RutnBuck]

What do YOU think after watching their videos ?? Should be able to decide if you want to sit back of that and run it on 80 acres.
Would like to know your opinion. tks

beenthere . . . I'm still hesitant. I have ruled out the GP40 and favor the HP72 but due to cost I must favor the HP40 instead LOL. The cost difference between the 40 and 72 is around $10k. I certainly understand the 72 would eat more in one swipe but $10k is steep (according to my wife). Basically I could get the HP40 w/hydro pump for around $10k and the HP72 would run just shy of $20k. Both would be cheaper by using a hydro pump I get here in the states. The FORAX pump is very expensive.

 

[RutnBuck]

I appreciate EVERYONE's feedback and advice on this topic. Like most things in life, we all have different experiences that helps us form opinions about what we like and dislike. In situations like I'm in, I keep an open mind so I can learn from all your experience, evaluate it and then hopefully apply it to my situation successfully. To that end, here is more information, pictures and current thoughts . . .

The attached pictures are before and after shots. The dense woods you see is vines, ferns, poison oak, ivy, morning glory that climbs to the upper reaches of trees, invasive scotch broom, scrub brush that reaches 12-18' high with a dozen or more 1-2" trunks coming off it (I don't know what this brush is called), and then there's the 3+ inch trees (young fir, oaks, madrone, cedar, pine). There is also lots of downed timber from multiple years of wind storms, dying trees, etc. My land is flat in some areas but also has gentle to steep slopes so I do have challenges when it comes to using my tractor only.

After considerable thought, where I stand now is considering a FEL mounted cutter like the Lane Shark (or similar) or the FEL mounted FORAX HP40. I know these will not do everything I need to do nor will they be fast but all things considered (time, money, property topography, etc), I think one of these two choices to be best. For the sake of argument, I also considered a 3.5 ton excavator since the HP40 can mount to both a JD FEL and excavator, as long as I order both mounting attachments. That would definitely give me some flexibility in use, but 1) I'd have to buy a (used) excavator and 2) I understand excavators are not good on slopes so at the end of the day, what do I gain over just having the HP40 on my tractor? I have ruled out all 3pt implements as I just don't want to be backing into material or driving over it first and paying someone to clear for me is cost prohibitive (unfortunately). Last and certainly not least, I get to own the equipment the entire time, which I prefer since I don't like to rent or borrow, which in turn will help me to SLOW DOWN so I don't break something. Unfortunately I do this all to often when rushed.

Now I just need to determine whether the cutter like the Lane Shark or the FORAX mulcher will give me the best finished product that will allow me to easily manage new growth after clearing is done (i.e. I can easily drive around the property mowing it down because everything was cleared to the ground level). I'm hopeful either one will allow me to operate it somewhat vertically to trim tree branches as well as clear brush.

I hope I have answered everyone's questions and this new info helps your understanding of my situation. Like I said earlier . . . it ALL helps with my decision process because many, if not all, of you have "been there, done that"!

 

[RutnBuck]

By the way, if it were up to me I would get a skid steer adapter for that FEL no matter which tool you choose.

JWR . . . I'm guessing you suggest this because there are more front attachments available from a wider variety of manufacturers? If not, why?

Also, my response above will hopefully answer some of your other questions. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Liquidsilver]

In my neck of the woods... 80 acres would have me calling a competent dozer operator to clean it and grade it smooth. (Ribbons around the big trees I'd want to keep.) Then I would call the seed man to seed it with a good pasture blend. I think I could do this for about the same money as a big tractor attachment, and then the area would be good for mowing.

Good luck.

 

[LouNY]

The SSQA is more common on the smaller tractors and most attachments can be had in that configuration.
However in my opinion and having and using both the Euro Global is a better safer easier to use system.

 

[RutnBuck]

The SSQA is more common on the smaller tractors and most attachments can be had in that configuration.
However in my opinion and having and using both the Euro Global is a better safer easier to use system.

Are you suggesting that I get an SSQA or Global adapter for use instead of my JDQA? If so, for what purpose?

** this is getting of topic but I'm curious

 

[LouNY]

In popularity and common usage in cut's,
it would be SSQA, JDQA then Euro Global.
In the full sized market 100+hp it is mostly all global.

The Global is much easier to hookup to,
most of them you curl back and unlatch then go to were you wish to drop the current attachment,
set it down and curl out of it. (safety wise even if you unlatch even when curled most or all the way down it will not fall off)
pull up to your next attachment and curl up into it to catch it lift it up then curl back and most will self latch.
The hooks on the Global are much easier to watch and line up and catch your attachment.
The Global doesn't get crudded up with mud or snow and ice as easily as the SSQA, even after being used in an ice strom the Global will unlatch and relatch with no pounding or scrapping.
The Global attachments don't fill with snow and ice as much when out in the weather.
The Global are more durable especially when back dragging.

As far as the JDQA many manufactures do not offer that style attachment in their lineup as JD is the only one using it.
The JDQA is a light duty QA similar to the global in some ways, shorter hooks and two pins to clip in place.

I have not used the JDQA, just looked at it and played around with it a bit.
My Branson has the SSQA as does the farms Kubota and the Skidsteer.
The NH6050 and CIH PUMA 125 have the Global as have some rented equipment.
Of the three systems and having used two for several years and having converted my old Oliver 1550 to a Global style,
I find the Global easier stronger faster safer and all around better.

 

[RutnBuck]

In popularity and common usage in cut's,
it would be SSQA, JDQA then Euro Global.
In the full sized market 100+hp it is mostly all global.

The Global is much easier to hookup to,
most of them you curl back and unlatch then go to were you wish to drop the current attachment,
set it down and curl out of it. (safety wise even if you unlatch even when curled most or all the way down it will not fall off)
pull up to your next attachment and curl up into it to catch it lift it up then curl back and most will self latch.
The hooks on the Global are much easier to watch and line up and catch your attachment.
The Global doesn't get crudded up with mud or snow and ice as easily as the SSQA, even after being used in an ice strom the Global will unlatch and relatch with no pounding or scrapping.
The Global attachments don't fill with snow and ice as much when out in the weather.
The Global are more durable especially when back dragging.

As far as the JDQA many manufactures do not offer that style attachment in their lineup as JD is the only one using it.
The JDQA is a light duty QA similar to the global in some ways, shorter hooks and two pins to clip in place.

I have not used the JDQA, just looked at it and played around with it a bit.
My Branson has the SSQA as does the farms Kubota and the Skidsteer.
The NH6050 and CIH PUMA 125 have the Global as have some rented equipment.
Of the three systems and having used two for several years and having converted my old Oliver 1550 to a Global style,
I find the Global easier stronger faster safer and all around better.

Thank you. I have a John Deere 4120 with 400x loader and it is equipped with the JDQA. I'm entertaining getting the SSQA adapter if it opens up more opportunities for front attachments, otherwise I'll just stay with the JDQA.

 

[JWR]

JWR . . . I'm guessing you suggest this because there are more front attachments available from a wider variety of manufacturers? If not, why?

Also, my response above will hopefully answer some of your other questions. Thank you for your advice.

That's true. There are so many and such a wide variety of tools that fit the skid-steer compatible mounts. Both the JDQA and the Global type fit less than 10% of the available goodies on the market compared to the SSQA. Knowing now that you are in this for a long term effort that's even more reason to go with the skid-steer compatible interface. Being in it for the long haul there is just no good reason to limit your tool options to some small % of the available stuff.

Yes, I see those pictures. None of these tractor mounted devices will really clear those woods. I visuallize endless chain saw days there ! Certainly the Lane Shark will be a great tool for the overhanging limbs and general trimming. It may be that over time you will need to hire a dozer to do the heaviest stuff, just a day or two here and there, things you can't clear with the tractor or your own means.

A big mulcher with the PTO driven pump feeding it seems appropriate too but those things, the serious ones, are expensive. I suggest a gradual approach with the Lane Shark , a good bush hog and a grapple for your FEL to start. Then add as needed after building on your experience with those basics.

 

[RutnBuck]

That's true. There are so many and such a wide variety of tools that fit the skid-steer compatible mounts. Both the JDQA and the Global type fit less than 10% of the available goodies on the market compared to the SSQA. Knowing now that you are in this for a long term effort that's even more reason to go with the skid-steer compatible interface. Being in it for the long haul there is just no good reason to limit your tool options to some small % of the available stuff.

Yes, I see those pictures. None of these tractor mounted devices will really clear those woods. I visuallize endless chain saw days there ! Certainly the Lane Shark will be a great tool for the overhanging limbs and general trimming. It may be that over time you will need to hire a dozer to do the heaviest stuff, just a day or two here and there, things you can't clear with the tractor or your own means.

A big mulcher with the PTO driven pump feeding it seems appropriate too but those things, the serious ones, are expensive. I suggest a gradual approach with the Lane Shark , a good bush hog and a grapple for your FEL to start. Then add as needed after building on your experience with those basics.

Thanks JWR. After even further consideration, I think I have convinced myself (and my banker...aka: wife) that the limited versatility and potential abuse to my tractor warrants not going the route of a FEL mounted device but instead searching for a tracked skid steer and rotary cutter. Yes, much more expensive option but I'm hopeful I can get the job done lickity-split and then sell the skid steer.

 

[JWR]

Very logical of many choices. If you go with a tracked skid steer and rotary cutter you have a lot heavier duty set of equipment. Going to that expense I recommend that you get a HEAVY rotary cutter and make sure the skid steer hydraulic accessory pump is high-flow. They usually have multiple pumps. Those things will do major damage to underbrush and even 4" trees. I used to own a CID brand 5ft "Extreme" Brush cutter that was a real beast. See X-treme Brush Cutter
I got it in 2011 for about $3500 but I'm sure they have gone up. Only reason I did not keep it was that my tractor (81hp MF 2660) could not produce enough hydraulic flow to make it robust. It clogged way too easy. Those are made well. Parker motors, 3 heavy blades on a 5/8" thick carrier, etc. With a skid steer and high flow you will be able to cut & clear big time. I think you should get a grapple for the FEL on your Deere which will be a huge help in clearing out trees, pieces of trees, debris etc. That will be very useful for the whole life of the Deere whether you still have the skid steer or not. I'll be very surprised if you do not also get a 5 or 6 ft bush hog for general purpose cutting of weeds, lighter brush, etc. with the Deere, especially if you have some open field areas.

I got a 66" Wildkat (same as Mid-state) brand grapple new 2 yrs ago for $1500 incl. tax. I find it plenty heavy, almost indestructible and so handy I keep it on my MF most of the time. For my 2 cents worth I would still get a skid-steer adapter for your Deere FEL -- even more so now that you will have a skid steer. That way you can trade implements back and forth between machines as needed plus have the huge wide choice of things that fit it. That includes buckets, grapples, you name it. Be sure to get compatible flat-face connectors for all the hydraulic lines !

I have no feel at all for implement availability, dealers, parts, support, etc. out there in Oregon. I am very familiar with mid-East coast, but not out there.

By the way, unless there is specific prohibition language in your Deere warrantee they cannot/would not deny your warrantee coverage due to something like a Lane Shark on your FEL. They can't legitimately. It is well within the load capacity specs of your FEL. If you can afford the skid steer route you will be better equipped to handle much tougher clearing tasks but I don't think the warrantee should have been a concern at all.

Best of luck with all this and please give us nosey people an update every once in a while as you wade through the next several months.

 

[blaster668]

I think you would be very surprised with what you can do with a good grapple. My 6' Rhino rotary cutter and EA 60" wicked root rake style grapple make a fantastic clearing combination. I use the grapple to take down trees up to about 6". Here's what I usually do, with the grapple open, and raised up in the air, I push the tree over. Then use the grapple to get under the root ball and pull it all up, sometimes this takes a combination of lifting, rolling, and bumping back and forth to break it free, but it works fantastic. Then move the tree to a pile and burn. I generally use the grapple for everything bigger than 1.5" or so, and the brush hog for everything smaller.

 

[JWR]

My 7' Bush Hog and FEL mounted grapple make a similar good clearing combination to what you describe. That's on a 9000lb (as equipped) MF2660 81HP 4WD tractor. Approx. twice the weight and twice the HP of the XR4140. Glad to see your combo works well for you but I am, to be honest, a skeptic on you doing anything with 6" trees with a grapple unless their roots are very shallow and in soft soil. I'd be surprised, you are right about that.

 

[RutnBuck]

I think you would be very surprised with what you can do with a good grapple. My 6' Rhino rotary cutter and EA 60" wicked root rake style grapple make a fantastic clearing combination. I use the grapple to take down trees up to about 6". Here's what I usually do, with the grapple open, and raised up in the air, I push the tree over. Then use the grapple to get under the root ball and pull it all up, sometimes this takes a combination of lifting, rolling, and bumping back and forth to break it free, but it works fantastic. Then move the tree to a pile and burn. I generally use the grapple for everything bigger than 1.5" or so, and the brush hog for everything smaller.

I have a wicked grapple and do exactly as you describe although it only works well with pine/fir trees that have shallow root systems. It doesn't work well with madrone and oak...they simply bend over and do not expose their roots. I am working on getting a skid steer with a root grapple and a rotary brush cutter and then probably selling my green machine (JD4120).