Buying Advice Friend needs to replace a Kioti CK30 due to rotary cutter "bush hog" weight

[Sid Post]

My friend bought a 5' Everything Attachments heavy rotary cutter, aka Bush Hog, and has been using it with a compact Kioti CK30 (think that is the correct model number). While it was a good tractor with the lightweight, disposable Kioti rotary cutter, it isn't really safe around his dam and is generally poorly 'balanced'.

He needs a compact tractor since he clears trails in trees where the lanes are pretty tight. Looking for a replacement in East Texas via TractorHouse and TractorData, I'm not seeing anything that jumps out at me.

I remember seeing an older Massey 26xx something with a Perkins engine that was an older operating station model, but I can't seem to find it today. Kubota and John Deere rule around here with some Mahindra and TYM support.

What tractor models do EA 5' rotary mower owners have that are appropriate for mowing rough trails and the backside of a dam? I am looking for something safe, as he was lucky to remain uninjured when the Hydrostat starved of oil and he rolled backwards down a big dam. Width and height need to remain reasonable for "walking" trails in trees where he blades rain washouts and picks up downed limbs and cut up felled trees.

.....

Please ignore the AutoCorrect/AI madness in this post ...

 

[AntiqueIron]

Could he get some front suitcase weights?

I’d imagine it’d probably be possible to weld up a bracket for them on the front of the tractor.

Probably cheaper than another tractor anyways.

 

[old and tired]

I would be thinking 3" wheel spacers first. I thought heavy mower would add to stability. What tires is he running? If AG/R1 - are they set to the widest setting.

Little extreme but think about turf tires, wider, and lower to the ground.

Are the tires loaded with ballast?

I would use my FEL to scoup up some gravel and keep the bucket low to the ground.

Just reread your post, "Hydrostat starved of oil" how steep is this hill????

 

[Shawn T. W.]

That is heavier and shorter than my 5' Bush Hog BH115 ... Mine's 518. Lb and 96" long, before I hang it off my Quick Hitch on my SCUT ... I prefer to put some rocks in the bucket so I can steer better in certain circumstances ...

From EA's website, only 5' they make now ...

 

[Sid Post]

...
Just reread your post, "Hydrostat starved of oil" how steep is this hill????

The back of his dam for 14 acres worth of pond is about 45 degrees in terms of the slope.

 

[CliffordK]

What is the budget? There are some mighty sweet looking 4x4 tractors that are supposed to be designed for steep slopes.

This is an orchard dozer/tractor that I picked up a while ago.

Landini Trekker 60F

I picked up a Landini Trekker 60F at auction last week. Data Plate lists 1TAL/AS, but it seems to match the Trekker 60 or 60F. Listed as a Non-Op. If it runs, the price will be an absolute steal. If not, an expensive boat anchor, although the engine may be worth more than I paid, if it...

www.tractorbynet.com

Very narrow. But weight is very low. I have hit about 45° slopes, but I prefer to go straight up and straight down. Tracks give me traction where my tractor fails. However, the skid steer aspect does tear up the grass a bit when I turn. I don't know if a rubber tracked version would be better.

I've been experimenting with flail mowers. Some good, some bad. They are far more compact than brush hogs.

Also consider a tracked robot mower for steep slopes. I haven't played around with them as I don't think they would suit my needs at the moment. Maybe in the future. There are some imports that at least appear cheap on the surface.

 

[old and tired]

Remote control?

Video - Remote Control & Sit-On Tractor Tackles Steep Hills

Join Aaron as he takes on a steep and overgrown hill using the Ventrac 45RC, showcasing its incredible performance and versatility. This hill, located on a college campus, presents a real challenge—some areas are regularly maintained, while others have been left untouched for years. With steep...

www.ventrac.com

 

[mwayne]

FYI to Sid, I use a quick hitch for my box blade and disc, but hook up my rotary cutter direct to get the center of gravity of the rotary cutter about 4" closer to the tractor. I also have slopes and a pond dam to mow and feel this helps.

 

[Sportsman762]

The back of his dam for 14 acres worth of pond is about 45 degrees in terms of the slope.

Oh dang, thats not a slope you can put manned equipment on safely, unless using specialized equipment. Engines cannot handle slopes like that unless they are specially equipped. Evan an Aebi or Ventrac cannot handle those slopes.

Something specialized like a kut kwik or other specialty slope mower might handle.

Kut Kwick Corporation

Kut Kwick produces mowers that are designed to fit the specific needs of cities, states, the federal government and large commercial users. Kut Kwick specializes in machines to mow steep slopes on roadways, retention ponds, dams and any place else where it is too dangerous for conventional...

kutkwick.com

ATM 72LC Slope Mower - safer solution to mowing slopes | Harper Turf

Hillside mowing solution balances greater comfort and control. Independent decks float across V-ditches for even cut.

www.harperturfequipment.com

How tall is the dam? Can you stay on the dam and mow the banks. Perhaps a boom mower would work? Betstco makes a lightweight boom mower that might work on his current tractor. Its safer if you can stay on top since sliding down could cause an entrapment underwater situation that is never good.

FH-BRM Boom Sickle Hedge Cutter | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service:

Got ditches to mow, hedges to trim? Brush overgrowing your driveway? Shrub that needs to be controlled? Our sickle hedge cutter is a perfect solution for maintaining hedges, ditches, and shrubs along side roadways and fields.

betstco.com

The other option is unmanned remote control mowers.

 

[CliffordK]

Those are interesting boom mowers.

If one is within 5 to 10 feet or so, there are also used government road department mowers that show up from time to time. Flail on a boom?

 

[JRH02]

That is heavier and shorter than my 5' Bush Hog BH115 ... Mine's 518. Lb and 96" long, before I hang it off my Quick Hitch on my SCUT ... I prefer to put some rocks in the bucket so I can steer better in certain circumstances ...

View attachment 4215589

From EA's website, only 5' they make now ...
View attachment 4215590

It helps to know your land and where not to go. It has front assist and can make you over confident. It's not an ATV.

 

[Sid Post]

He is looking at a 'Skid Steer mower now.

 

[Sportsman762]

He is looking at a 'Skid Steer mower now.

I hate to sound like the safety police, but I am concerned about this idea. Wheeled skidsteers are not great on slopes. Their short wheelbase makes them tippy. Tracked skidsteers do good on hills, however their low ground pressure also makes them prone to sliding on wet (freshly cut) grass. A 45 degree hill is damn steep, If it has a nice flat area to run out on after sliding down then I would not see a problem in trying one. However sliding down into a pond is dangerous. A skidsteer only has two egress points, both are easily blocked if the machine is upside down sinking into the mud. I have spent lots of time mowing hills in lots of equipment. I have slid down lots of hills too in everything from a zeroturn to a skidsteer to a backhoe. Have you ever been in a 2wd tractor and seen one wheel turning backwards as you go down a hill? Steering brakes are ment to allow you to steer up hill since the front is no longer terra bound. I have lots of experience with hills, but hills with water at the bottom require additional respect.

I hate to sound like a worry wart, but a skidsteer is a great way to multiply your chances of underwater entrapment.

Also is this a true 45 degree slope? If its 35 degrees and smooth then the options really open up for equipment. Its amazing how much difference 10 degrees makes.

 

[jyoutz]

The back of his dam for 14 acres worth of pond is about 45 degrees in terms of the slope.

Way too steep for a wheeled vehicle. That’s a tracked vehicle slope.

 

[jyoutz]

He is looking at a 'Skid Steer mower now.

Hopefully a tracked skid steer.

 

[Sid Post]

I hate to sound like the safety police, but I am concerned about this idea. Wheeled skidsteers are not great on slopes. Their short wheelbase makes them tippy. Tracked skidsteers do good on hills, however their low ground pressure also makes them prone to sliding on wet (freshly cut) grass. A 45 degree hill is damn steep, If it has a nice flat area to run out on after sliding down then I would not see a problem in trying one. However sliding down into a pond is dangerous. A skidsteer only has two egress points, both are easily blocked if the machine is upside down sinking into the mud. I have spent lots of time mowing hills in lots of equipment. I have slid down lots of hills too in everything from a zeroturn to a skidsteer to a backhoe. Have you ever been in a 2wd tractor and seen one wheel turning backwards as you go down a hill? Steering brakes are ment to allow you to steer up hill since the front is no longer terra bound. I have lots of experience with hills, but hills with water at the bottom require additional respect.

I hate to sound like a worry wart, but a skidsteer is a great way to multiply your chances of underwater entrapment.

Also is this a true 45 degree slope? If its 35 degrees and smooth then the options really open up for equipment. Its amazing how much difference 10 degrees makes.

The skid steer in question is a tracked model. I don't have a protractor, so ~45 degrees is a guess, not a scientific measurement. Also, he isn't mowing into the water, only mowing the backside of the dam. And yes, the base is reasonably flat.

 

[Sid Post]

Hopefully a tracked skid steer.

Yes, tracked.

 

[Sportsman762]

Also, he isn't mowing into the water, only mowing the backside of the dam. And yes, the base is reasonably flat.

I was imagining them mowing the front of the dam. The backside with a flat spot behind it is much safer. Worst case you end up like my neighbor with two broken ribs after rolling a wheeled skidsteer, sure beats the heck out of drowning!
A tracked skidsteer might work. I would be inclined to a ventrac / Steiner / Power Trac, as the cost per hour will be less and they are more stable and do not tear up the sod on the turns. Let us know what he settles on!

 

[SPYDERLK]

The skid steer in question is a tracked model. I don't have a protractor, so ~45 degrees is a guess, not a scientific measurement. Also, he isn't mowing into the water, only mowing the backside of the dam. And yes, the base is reasonably flat.

Can you walk up it? If so it isnt much over 30degrees.

 

[paulsharvey]

Have you considered spraying, maybe a couple times per year instead of spending $90,000 on a tracked skid steer to mow? Yes, you need some vegetation to prevent erosion, but say, 3 sprays per year with glypho, or similar, not a long lasting, soil sterilizer. Heck of a lot cheaper.