brush hog on a 155D

[rtd]

Does anyone have experience with a 4' brush hog on a YM155D? I have in mind edge trimming and working between trees where a larger (6') unit is to clumsy. I'd also like it to handle light brush cutting, up to 1" diam. I wouldn't mind moving in first gear-high range.

Thanks

 

[clemsonfor]

Does anyone have experience with a 4' brush hog on a YM155D? I have in mind edge trimming and working between trees where a larger (6') unit is to clumsy. I'd also like it to handle light brush cutting, up to 1" diam. I wouldn't mind moving in first gear-high range.

Thanks

I would think you could do it, thats a what like 13 pto HP tractor? The only smaller ones are the 3.5fter ones that very few folks make right?

 

[Nick359]

I have a woods 42" and it works well with my JD 755. I think it is 15 pto hp. I cut along fences and around trees. If I turn my tires to the narrow position, it will cover my tracks, but I keep them wide for sidehilling. It works well enough, but a 48" would work better for me.

 

[clemsonfor]

plenty of people use the ym1500 with a 4 ft Bush hog which is a 15 PTO hp tractor. But this is an american market tractor and the numbers represents Engine HP and not PTO HP like the Japanese tractors named them by.

 

[284 International]

Based on my 1401D, I think you may be lucky to see 2nd gear low range. I also freely admit I have no understanding of what it means to cut one inch brush, because there's no way my tractor could even drive through one inch manzanita or sage, let alone chop it up with a cutter. So your usage may be such that you can travel faster than me.

I mow tumbleweeds and other similar grassy plants, and a 4 foot cutter is more than enough for my 14 PTO horsepower. It isn't too much, but I wouldn't want more. Additionally, the cutter is long and cumbersome, but much less so than even a 5 foot unit. I bought mine to mow under and around fruit trees, and it does a good job.

The YM155 is a smaller machine than mine, and down a bit on power, but probably a negligible amount. Some companies offer, as Clemson and Nick mentioned, a 42 inch cutter. Given equal pricing, I would select one of those over a 4 foot unit.

 

[rtd]

As far as brush, typically saplings and multiflora rose go, I typically back into these things, sometimes going in with the brush cutter high then gradually lowering it.

The reason for my original question was that I don't think that there's a big market for a used 4' bush hog in case it doesn't work out; I don't want to get a moderately expensive implement and regret it later.

So far, the few used units I've found are of the low-end type in not the best condition.

Thanks for the input.

 

[284 International]

I expect there are regional differences, but here a 4 to 5 foot cutter is more common than a 6 foot or bigger unit. But, if one buys something that is reasonably priced, it should be possible to sell it again for about the same amount, too.

The used equipment market seems pretty consistent, and the rapidness of craigslist searching means that things priced below market value sell virtually instantly, and things priced above market value linger interminably. For instance, 3 point discs around here are about $350 to $500 dollars. Much higher than $550 or $600, and they never sell. A unit priced at $250 to $300 is gone within hours. Rougher looking units sell slower,or for less, obviously, but a coat of paint is a cheap and easy way to boost perceived value.

That means with a bit of time spent looking (over, say, two weeks, or whatever seems appropriate for the turnover you see) you ought to be able to get a feel for what the value is of a given implement is for your area. Buy with the intent of being able to get most of your money back, and you should be happy. Shop with the goal of being able to profit after using it extensively, and you'll be perpetually disappointed.

If you bought one at $400, used it 4 times, and resold it for $350, it only cost $12.50 each time the implement was used. That's still a good investment in my book, since there is no way to rent it for that cheap, and isn't much off a six pack of good beer if one borrows from
a neighbor and repays debts in such a manner.

Since it sounds like you're experienced with tractors you likely know all that, but it's worth putting out there anyway. I'm glad I don't have to mess with the brush you describe. That sounds as if it would get old very, very quickly...

 

[clemsonfor]

the 4 ft market is actually pretty good. Everyone has these small tractors now a days and you have to have 27+ engine hp to really use a 5ft hog well. True most 4fters are lower quality. dont expect more than 75% of retail even if your selling it after first use.

 

[Ginormous]

I bought a used 4' bushhog last year for about $300, but it needed some love. I cut tall grass and some honeysuckle (bushes) each with multiple trunks, some up to 2.5" in diameter, with no problem; chewed'em up and spit'em out! As someone said above, cutting the tall grass I had to go really slow... painfully slow. If I did my 3 acre field all at once, I estimate it would take 8 hours.

 

[clemsonfor]

I bought a used 4' bushhog last year for about $300, but it needed some love. I cut tall grass and some honeysuckle (bushes) each with multiple trunks, some up to 2.5" in diameter, with no problem; chewed'em up and spit'em out! As someone said above, cutting the tall grass I had to go really slow... painfully slow. If I did my 3 acre field all at once, I estimate it would take 8 hours.

DAM Thats slow!! you must cut it once a year or less or yall have supa thick grass up there. I can cut about an acre an hour or an acre in about one hour 15 mins max i think. But i have a ym2000 and can mow in high 3 most of the time unless its really thick and then i go high 2.