Bush Hog Finish Mower Hybrid

[pripyat]

I'm a tinkerer at heart, if I'm not changing something then I must be tired of changing it.

I was wondering if you guys could comment on some thoughts I had about making a hybrid cutter. I've got at least 20 acres to cut. The terrain isn't level enough for a finish mower and is too thick/tall. I've got a Mahindra 2545 and have a 6ft bush hog frame (gearbox is shot). Would it ever make sense to change the gear ratio of the gearbox to give the blades more tip speed since I've got the HP to handle the extra load? I was also thinking that it might be neat to find a finish mower frame and use heavier blades and possibly slow the tip speed?

Any inputs or thoughts appreciated.

 

[duffer]

I'd be careful putting heavier blades on a finish mower frame. I'm not sure the drive spindles could handle them long term. Especially those from a bush hog.

I would think the engineering on the bush hog specified the blade size, tip speed, and cutting power considered for the gear ratio. Increasing the blade rpm will also put additional strain on your drive spindle. If you're going to do that, I'd make sure I had a PTO clutch adapter in place.

My 84" finish mower has significant height adjustments. I can raise it up to 5-6" above grade. Seems to me, you might want to find a finish mower, rebuild it, and add longer axles for the wheels to raise it up to your desired level. If you're not cutting down a lot of saplings, I would think this would work for you. You also get higher blade speed with a finish mower blade, as well as more cutting edges.

Just my 2¢.

 

[Mat4644]

I've had three well built finish mowers and never have had a problem with cutting and grinding up small tree debris, weeds and saplings on trails with 1/4 inch thick blades. Buy quality blades and run the deck higher. Never lost a spindle in over 40 years. If I let it get too tall or a large area the rotary cutter goes on.

 

[tractorcrazy]

Brushhog brand already makes a mower similar to what your talking about it's called a SQ384t they call it the squealer it is seven foot wide but only about four foot long it is offset to the right by a foot sticks out past your rear tire about a foot and it weighs the same or less than a standard five footer it is designed for thirty five horse tractors for mowing in and around orchards it has two tail wheels that are adjustable and it has two gearboxes with two blades on each I own one and love it I use it on places I keep mowed every couple weeks to keep it short sort of like a yard you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've got a Mahindra 2545 and have a 6ft bush hog frame (gearbox is shot). Would it ever make sense to change the gear ratio of the gearbox to give the blades more tip speed
Any inputs or thoughts appreciated.

I don't know about your cheapo mower, but my Woods Brush Bull already has a higher tip speed, and it does a very good job!

SR