brush hog size

Freds · May 8, 2002

Well, it doesn't look like like the farmer who worked the field on the property I bought 6 months ago is is going to do the same this year (shoot, I was looking forward to a little lease money /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ) so, I went looking at brush hogs a little while ago. I can get a 60" Woods standard for $980 and I can get a used Woods 48" for $400. The store owner said my Kubota 7500HST would be a little on the light side (hp) to handle the 60", but he thought it would. On the other hand I can save a good chunk of change on the used 48" and probably be able to travel a little faster, which might equal out timewise the narrower cutting path. I would appreciate any input on this as the brush in the old cornfield is already about 2 ft. high and I gotta do something quick.

thanks,
Fred

ps; On a previous post I had on tractor size and my 60" RFM bogging down cutting my lawn, I found out that overcoming ground resistance can use a lot of hp. I shouldn't have that problem with the ground in the cornfield.

gerard · May 8, 2002

I don't know how many hp the 7500 is rated for but your manual should tell you how big a bush hog your tractor is rated for. If 4 foot will cover your tire footprint I would go with that. I have a 5 foot on a 27 hp gear tractor and COULD have gone 6 foot according to the manual. Just means you go a little slower in the tall stuff but you make up the slower speed by having a wider cut. I only went with the 5 footer cause when you get to the 6 footers they all seemed to be heavy duty and a lot more expensive. (Bought a new bush hog razorback 5 footer for $950)

Anonymous Poster · May 8, 2002

...I can get a used Woods 48" for $400...

If you have a TSC in your area... check out a brand new 48" KingKutter rotary cutter for only a few dollars more ~$499-539... that will handle up to 1" stuff (and beyond with some caution)... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Freds · May 8, 2002

John, I've seen "TSC" on the board before, what does it stand for and I'll see if there's one close by?
How does a KK compare to the Woods? He showed me a Bush Hog brand that had a couple holes in the deck from a broken blade. The Woods' blades aren't suppose to break (just bend) and the deck was a good 1/16" thicker.

Fred

JonLeonard · May 8, 2002

TSC = Tractor Supply Company

King Kutter is heavy made, at least the stuff Ive seen. Its priced alot lower then the comparable Landpride/Woods/Bush Hog stuff as well.

Jon

BB_TX · May 8, 2002

I don't know what your PTO hp is. I run a 6' light duty with 27 PTO hp with no problem. I mow cedars up to 5'-6' tall near my creek with out shearing a pin. let alone break a blade. With regular pasture grass, I can mow in 3H which is really a little faster than I normally want to go. Tall heavy grass I have to slow down to maybe 3L.
You do want a cutter wider than your tires so that you can mow up next to fences, buildings, etc. But you have to be careful that you don't also catch a something such as a fence post. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Unless you are going to be mowing heavy brush or saplings, you shouldn't need a particularly heavy cutter.

Bird · May 8, 2002

Freds, I've no doubt your manual recommends nothing larger than a 4' brush hog, and in my personal opinion, you'll be happier with the 4' one, whether you buy the used one or a new one.

pennwalk · May 8, 2002

Fred,
Woods makes some great equipment. Well engineered and nicely finished. But their light duty rotary mowers are just that, for light duty use only. It just depends which model you are looking at. If you will only be mowing weeds then you should have no problems but don't even think of trying to take down saplings with a light duty bush hog and be real careful of rocks. I have an old Woods M4 that I bought for parts and it looks like it was run over by a truck,dent city. I use an old 4' KK hog and I do take small trees and it has eaten a fair number of rocks and it looks astonishingly good. Of course KK isn't known for its appearance so aside from the rough paint and the ugly welds my Kutter has taken a licking and kept on ticking.

Chris

TonyC · May 8, 2002

How does a KK compare to the Woods?

In my opinion, King Kutter is a good product but it's not to Woods or Bush Hog standard. I have had products from both companies and Woods is better made. I would by another KK product any time to save on the costs but if I wanted the best I would go for Woods, Bush Hog, Land Pride and probably a few others.

As far as size, I pull a 60" Bush Hog with a Kubota L3600. It would pull a 72" mower and sometimes I wish I had one. But I have had the 60" for many years and it does just fine. I wouldn't be too concerned about being too small at 48" for your tractor.

Nik · May 8, 2002

Go with the 48" brush cuttter. I have a B2410 and used to own a 60" JD rotary cutter (#513). I felt this was slightly too large for this tractor to handle at times. The tractor never lacked for power but because of its smaller size I often felt the oscillations of the blades transmit to the tractor. Now I have a 48" WOODS brushbull rotary cutter and this is a perfect size in my opinion for the tractor. I do not sense any notice any oscillation of the tractor with this cutter and it is easier to maneuver. The front height of the cutter is also easier to adjust and seemed to have more travel. I am very pleased with this cutter which is the size recommended for the B2410. Paid $ 890 for it in June 2001 (including slip clutch and plastic guards)

John_Mc · May 9, 2002

Woods ... light duty rotary mowers are just that, for light duty use only. ... If you will only be mowing weeds then you should have no problems but don't even thing of trying to take down saplings with a light duty bush hog and be real careful of rocks. I have an old Woods M4 that I bought for parts and it looks like it was run over by a truck,dent city.

I have a Woods BB60, which is their 5 foot "standard duty" (i.e. the lightest one they presently make). I'm driving it with a 27 PTO HP tractor. I regularly run it through dense stands of 1" saplings, and have occasionally mowed larger stuff (though the larger stuff was mostly cedar and pine so far). It has hit very hard on some hidden rocks on numerous occasions.

I've had no complaints with the quality of construction, and for my needs I'm glad I did not go with their next step up in this size, the BB600. In comparing the BB60, it seems closer to some other brands medium duty than to their lighter duty units.

Having said all that, If I were doing it over, I'd probably buy a King Kutter and save a bunch of money. I did not know that they had a decent reputation when I was shopping.

John Mc

Freds · May 9, 2002

Thanks for all the great replies, lots of practical info.
I've decided to go with a 4 ft., it almost covers my 50" footprint. The operator's manual recomends seeing my Kubota dealer, no info at all on size of attachments. I'm going to try a couple more stores in my area to see what they have, so far none I have tried handle KK and there's not a TSC listed in the phone book. A friend of mine told me how to check the bearings on a used one so I should be OK if I decide to go that way.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes,
Fred

Anonymous Poster · May 9, 2002

...Woods' blades aren't suppose to break (just bend)...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.... they all can break... they all can bend... they all can/will become unpredictable dangerous projectiles at anytime... /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

What is the model # of the Woods and Bush Hog's cutters?

Freds · May 9, 2002

I'm not sure of the models of the used Woods and the busted up Bush Hog.
I found a TSC about an hour away and I'm going to check out the 4' KK there tomorrow ($530). Then I'll go back and look at the used Woods again and see if it's a shear pin or slip clutch (I was told that slip clutch models are about $140 more) and see if he'll move on the price any if it's a shear pin model. $130 more for a new one with a warranty... tough to pass up if it's the same ga. and blade thickness as the Woods.
On the other hand, I would have to borrow a p/u truck to get the KK (I have a Durango) and the other guy only lives a couple miles away and will bring the Woods down and set it up. I thought choosing a tractor was the hard part.
BTW, in my yellow pages tractors is right after toy dealers, seems kind of fitting /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Fred

crown · May 9, 2002

I have a B-7500 HST and I use a 4 ft Howse cutter. There is a lot of negative opinions about Howse but thus far I have no complaints. I mow very tall grass and low brush and have hit my fair share of rocks no dents no damage, thus far I am very pleased if your looking for a low cost rotary both KK and Howse will do the job.
Good Luck!!

Clemson · May 10, 2002

Freds, if it will help on negotiating room for your cutter, the sale brochure for TSC's in South Carolina has 5' KingKutters for sale for $499 this week.

BB_TX · May 10, 2002

I run a 6' Howse light duty and, like you, am pleased with it. It does all I need including mowing pasture, ditch, and cedars and saplings along the creek. I looked it over well before I bought it and the welds and finish looked good.

Freds · May 10, 2002

I haven't ran across a Howse, yet. Did you guys buy them from a tractor dealer or a particular chain of store?
I went to the TSC store this morning. Like a kid in a candy store! Got to check out a lot of attachments (not many dealers in my area even stock them) and saw a lot of stuff inside the store I need too /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. The guy working there said if the used Woods was a slip-clutch it would be worth $400 if it was in good working shape. I'm about ready to head up the road and find out now.

Fred

BB_TX · May 13, 2002

The Howse I have seen were at independent used tractor and parts dealers. One local one has been advertising new Howse 5' cutters for $399.

RJS · May 15, 2002

Freds

I have a B7500DT and a 4' Woods Brush Bull. When I purchased the pair last year, the dealer did not have the Woods in stock and loaned me a new King Kutter until the Woods came in. The woods in my opinion is a much nicer Brush Hog, but is also a lot heavier, it makes the front end light even with the FEL.

I don't think the KK is a bad cutter, just not as heavy duty.

If I had it to do over, I would buy the KK and save the $$$.