Mowing Brush hog use

[Rusty4242]

Oh, yeah. One more question,(for now).. do you run the brush hog level, or can you tip it up at the front side to help scoop heavy brush under the unit?

 

[Bird]

Oh, yeah. One more question,(for now).. do you run the brush hog level, or can you tip it up at the front side to help scoop heavy brush under the unit?

You can adjust it to get the results you want. In general:
1. front higher than back to more thoroughly mulch the material,
2. back higher than front to more quickly discharge the clippings, and
3. pretty level for mowing light material; i.e., grass & weeds

 

[TripleR]

The instructions on my Land Pride and Woods rotary cutters indicate the "proper" adjustment is slightly lower in the front. I find myself using mine as Bird indicates, depending on the conditions and what I am trying to accomplish.

 

[Ken45101]

If lower in front, you only cut once and it requires less horsepower. If higher in front, the front cuts, then the back also cuts, requiring more hp.

Like Bird said, double cutting might give a prettier looking result if that's important.

Ken

 

[Wacky]

Not trying to hyjack this thread, but how big of diameter stuff could you cut up to with a 4ft bush hog and a 26hp machine?

 

[Ken45101]

Not trying to hyjack this thread, but how big of diameter stuff could you cut up to with a 4ft bush hog and a 26hp machine?

When I first got into this stuff, a guy at work told me that I could bush hog anything that I could drive over. He was wrong. A lot of times I'll back over stuff that I won't drive over!

As for what an individual unit will handle, I suggest you check the manufacturer's recommendations. It depends on if the cutter is light, medium, or heavy duty. Off. hand, for what you mentioned, I'd guess 2", maybe 2-1/2" diameter would be okay if you are willing to driver over it ;-) Of course, it also depends on what species it is. Soft maple saplings are much easier to mow than oak saplings of the same diameter.

 

[BigD23]

Remember, it's a bush hog...Not a tree whacker (loose term).

Don

 

[TripleR]

Not trying to hyjack this thread, but how big of diameter stuff could you cut up to with a 4ft bush hog and a 26hp machine?

As stated previously, it is going to depend on the rating by the manufacturer. My 48" Land Pride is rated to cut 1 1/2". It has a slip clutch and will cut thicker than this, but over time you will pay the price.

 

[Ken45101]

It has a slip clutch and will cut thicker than this, but over time you will pay the price.

Excellent point. There is a difference between mowing down an occasional sapling and clearing a 100 acre overgrown pasture full of them!

Ken

 

[TripleR]

Excellent point. There is a difference between mowing down an occasional sapling and clearing a 100 acre overgrown pasture full of them!

Ken

That's the truth and I have the bills to prove it. I got tired of replacing gearboxes when my sons kept taking on more than my Woods 121 10' was rated and bought a Woods DS1260 last year. I am not sure this will help or just encourage them to take on even bigger stuff

 

[Ken45101]

That's the truth and I have the bills to prove it. I got tired of replacing gearboxes when my sons kept taking on more than my Woods 121 10' was rated and bought a Woods DS1260 last year. I am not sure this will help or just encourage them to take on even bigger stuff

Hmmm. I think we are on to something here! :thumbsup:

I have a Woods MD172 (medium duty) that's 10+ years old and never had a problem beyond replacing the slip clutch disks one time, a normal wear item. That's even though I've sometimes backed over saplings that were too big to drive the tractor over. BUT it's a rare thing to cut something like that. Most of it's life has been spent mowing pasture and brush.

TripleR, maybe your boys need a Fecon mulcher for their work, LOL.

Ken

 

[TripleR]

Hmmm. I think we are on to something here! :thumbsup:

I have a Woods MD172 (medium duty) that's 10+ years old and never had a problem beyond replacing the slip clutch disks one time, a normal wear item. That's even though I've sometimes backed over saplings that were too big to drive the tractor over. BUT it's a rare thing to cut something like that. Most of it's life has been spent mowing pasture and brush.

TripleR, maybe your boys need a Fecon mulcher for their work, LOL.

Ken

You may be onto something there.:thumbsup:

We finished up our last overgrown "field" last week, so maybe I am in the clear.

 

[Denwa]

Oh, yeah. One more question,(for now).. do you run the brush hog level, or can you tip it up at the front side to help scoop heavy brush under the unit?

R,
Not going with experience here, just logic. Running higher in front you would be more likely to over run a stump or rock and then jam it into cutter with potentially bad results.

Currently involved in dealing with my "new" tractors PTO problems related to a rock that the previous owner whacked. Transmission R&R can be fun, I hope...

I would run level or low in front unless I was sure there was nothing but brush to mow.

FWIW,
Dennis

 

[TripleR]

R,
Not going with experience here, just logic. Running higher in front you would be more likely to over run a stump or rock and then jam it into cutter with potentially bad results.

Currently involved in dealing with my "new" tractors PTO problems related to a rock that the previous owner whacked. Transmission R&R can be fun, I hope...

I would run level or low in front unless I was sure there was nothing but brush to mow.

FWIW,
Dennis

Many come with a "stump jumper" for this very reason.

 

[Denwa]

Many come with a "stump jumper" for this very reason.

RRR,
Well, I have yet to go pick up the JD cutter from the PO that killed my PTO.
I've read of these "stump jumpers" but not actually looked at the bottom side of a brush cutter. Would you please to 'splain me what this mechanism is and how it *should* work? Apparently, if the JD cutter has one it did not work to well.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Bird]

Dennis, the blades on a brush hog are not attached directly to the gearbox output shaft. Instead they are attached to a round or oval "pan" by a single bolt that allows the blades to swing freely. That "pan" is known as a stump jumper or some manufacturers, such as Bush Hog, may simply call it a blade holder. Since the edges of that pan are curved upward, that allows it ride up and over stumps instead of just hitting them.

 

[TripleR]

Dennis, the blades on a brush hog are not attached directly to the gearbox output shaft. Instead they are attached to a round or oval "pan" by a single bolt that allows the blades to swing freely. That "pan" is known as a stump jumper or some manufacturers, such as Bush Hog, may simply call it a blade holder. Since the edges of that pan are curved upward, that allows it ride up and over stumps instead of just hitting them.

What Bird said, can't find a picture..

Some have the blades attached to a type of "T", hard to describe, that is then bolted onto the output shaft, one of our Woods mowers is like this; haven't been under the new one.

 

[Denwa]

What Bird said, can't find a picture..

Some have the blades attached to a type of "T", hard to describe, that is then bolted onto the output shaft, one of our Woods mowers is like this; haven't been under the new one.

Thanks Guys, it's much clearer now.
Have yet to go get the one that came w/ my tractor.

Dennis

 

[TripleR]

Thanks Guys, it's much clearer now.
Have yet to go get the one that came w/ my tractor.

Dennis

Better go get it, just finished my second cutting of the season and have some more in our woods when it dries up; don't like to let it get too tall.

 

[Denwa]

Better go get it, just finished my second cutting of the season and have some more in our woods when it dries up; don't like to let it get too tall.

Got to fix the PTO gear train first. Cleared shop space, rigged an overhead light, built a new air compressor system (mostly), and now I'm ready to start
finding out what's inside of a B20 tranny.... THEN I'll be able to go get the mower.

Dennis