Big enough tractor for 10 ft brushhog

[Highsmith]

After looking at various tractors and implements today (and listening to the various sales guys), I would like your opinions on what size brushhog shredder would be most appropriate for 1-2 inch Texas mesquite AND what is the minimum PTO HP you would want for a 10 foot brushhog.

 

[Slade]

I use a Bush Hog SQ184 (7 foot) on a 50HP PTO and it does fine with trees and brush up to 2 inches (with occasional stuff bigger). I only have to mow my pasture monthly so the SQ184 works great, but I'd probably get a more HD model if I was doing a lot more.

You'll probably need at least 50HP for a 10ft cutter, especially if you regularly cut large diameter stuff. Funny thing is that what I really notice stressing my engine isn't 2 inch trees but heavy wet pasture grass.

How many acres are you working?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'd say in MOST conditions, you'd want 60 to 65 hp at a minimum. Grass and weeds will put more pto load on the tractor than brush and saplings in most cases. But with a 10' mounted mower, more critical than HP, you need a good heavy tractor. Even with ligher duty mowers, a 10'er will pack a few pounds onto the hitch.

 

[gabby]

I pull a 10 foot JD HX-10 mower with a Ford 7610 (85 hp) and I wouldn't want to use much less hp than that. Mower mfr's minimum hp specs are too low.

You don't want to be like the guy that pulls a big trailer with a little truck!

 

[darkviper]

Ill have to agree with the last post. I would not run less than 65 HP but perferably 85+. You get in some thick fescue or brush and it will give the 85 hp a work out. Plus if you get on loos soil the wieght would be good to keep the tractor from sliding around

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with FWJ.. weight of the tractor will be just as important as HP.

I have a ford 5000 and i pull a heavy 10' 3pt hog with it. I had to put 420# of pillow and suitcase weights on the front to make it nice and stable. Tractor is the late 75' 5000 with the 256 diesel engine.. 70 eng hp, 67 at the pto. I can mow anything my front axle will push over.. tall wet grass included. Again.. Agree w/ FWJ.. stemmy brush is easier to cut that lush grass. For stemmy brush, i can mow in High 2nd, ( 6th gear ).. for tall grasses, High 1st ( 5th gear ).

I also mow my pasture with a 7610s.. using a jd 1517 15' hog... High 1st on that machine ( same trans as the 5000.. near same tractor... ).. just don't want to go as fast witht he batwing.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Glowplug]

When people say "Brush Hog" or "Bush Hog" in a general sense they are usually referring to a single spindle 3-pt lift type rotary cutter. With a 10' cutter you're jumping to 3 spindles which is okay. But more importantly, you're jumping quite a bit in weight. Of course more weight and more spindles means a LOT more money! I have a 10' pull-type cutter. I pull it with a 68hp (62hp PTO) tractor. My owner's manual recommends not using a 3pt lift mower heavier than 1200 lbs. But my mower weighs 3200 lbs.! There is NO WAY I could lift that thing! If you want to use a 10' lift mount mower you're going to need a really heavy tractor with good front-end ballast. It will need to have a 3pt hitch lift capacity in the several TON range! You're probably looking at a tractor around 85-90hp. If you want to get a PULL type mower you could probably get by with less. With my setup I can completely shred 1-1 1/2" saplings beyond recognition!

 

[thunderworks]

I pull a Bushhog 3210 (heavy duty pull-type model) with a Ford 4610 which is 62hp engine and around 52hp at the pto. It works, but frankly, more horsepower would be a good thing. When I engage the pto, the tractor really strains to get everything going. Once the pto gets ups up to speed, it cuts fine. My tractor weighs around 5,000lbs and the mower is nearly 2700lbs. A heavier machine would be a plus. I think the guys that are recommending tractors in the 70hp range with another 1,000 pounds of weight are on the right track.

 

[Glowplug]

I pull a Bushhog 3210 (heavy duty pull-type model) with a Ford 4610 which is 62hp engine and around 52hp at the pto. It works, but frankly, more horsepower would be a good thing. When I engage the pto, the tractor really strains to get everything going. Once the pto gets ups up to speed, it cuts fine. My tractor weighs around 5,000lbs and the mower is nearly 2700lbs. A heavier machine would be a plus. I think the guys that are recommending tractors in the 70hp range with another 1,000 pounds of weight are on the right track.

Yeah, mine does the exact same thing. It's a Rhino Turbo 120. There's a whole lotta inertia in those three big blades!

 

[Soundguy]

brush/bush hog generic use usually denotes a rough cut mower vs a finish mower. I've not seen where it denotes 3pt or drag type.. or single, dual, or tri spindles.

Also.. 10' does not dictate 3 spindles. My 10' mower is dual spindle.

What 68hp ( utility size ) tractor do you have that has a wussified 1200# rated 3pt lift. I'd just like to make a not of it so i don't ever accidentally buy one!

I'd be ashamed to be a manufacturer that made a tractor with that little capacity of a 3pt lift on anything bigger than a small cut. My 30hp NH1920 had an 1800# cat 1 3pt lift. The 3pt on my old ford 5000 ( 70 eng / 67 pto ) lifts that 3pt 10' mower quite easilly! with plenty surplus weight to spare. Just got to have front ballast.. etc. You don't need an 85-90 hp tractor to have a good rear lift.

For comparison, my 1955 ford 660 ( 33hp ) and my 1955 ford 850 ( 50hp but same physical size as the 660 ) each have a 3pt lift / loader that will lift more than that 1200# 's.. I move round hay bales with them.. etc.

soundguy

When people say "Brush Hog" or "Bush Hog" in a general sense they are usually referring to a single spindle 3-pt lift type rotary cutter. With a 10' cutter you're jumping to 3 spindles which is okay. But more importantly, you're jumping quite a bit in weight. Of course more weight and more spindles means a LOT more money! I have a 10' pull-type cutter. I pull it with a 68hp (62hp PTO) tractor. My owner's manual recommends not using a 3pt lift mower heavier than 1200 lbs. But my mower weighs 3200 lbs.! There is NO WAY I could lift that thing! If you want to use a 10' lift mount mower you're going to need a really heavy tractor with good front-end ballast. It will need to have a 3pt hitch lift capacity in the several TON range! You're probably looking at a tractor around 85-90hp. If you want to get a PULL type mower you could probably get by with less. With my setup I can completely shred 1-1 1/2" saplings beyond recognition!