Bush Hog vs Finishing Mower

[bravo2zero]

I'm in the process of purchasing a JD 5085. My question is this. I looked over the 15ft bush hog and a 15 ft finishing mower (HUGE difference in price). With a bush hog can you still get a nice cut on your land without it looking like junk or butchered up.

I keep the land looking really nice and have great pride in doing so... but have never used a bush hog. I have a 997 right now that is the largest finishing mower out there without using a tractor. And it does an amazing job. But with me closing off a cattleman who has used our land for years, I am now having to purchase a 5085 and larger mower to do all the land. Anyone have pictures of your land using a bush hog would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a picture of ours. But any thoughts on bush hog would be appreciated.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

A bush hog is not a fine finish tool. It will cut longer grass and get it more or less even. At 100 ft away will look ok. At ten feet will look rough. If you do decide to try a bush hog set it short and keep it sharp. Before you buy one I would suggest you borrow or rent a small bush hog. They are everywhere. Also most freeway right of ways are mowed with big bush hogs. See what you think of their results.

 

[smstonypoint]

They are everywhere. Also most freeway right of ways are mowed with big bush hogs. See what you think of their results.

I see both rotary cutters and flail mowers being used to mow highway ROWS in my area. Flail mowers are supposed to provide a "quality of cut" that is intermediate between rotary cutters and finish mowers.

Steve

 

[JD5210]

You may find this article of interest. To me a rotary mower (bush hog), beats the grass off and a finish mower cuts it off. If you want it look nice, I would go with a finish mower, you are going to have it cut it more often.

TractorData.com - Mowing with tractors

 

[corl]

I have both and the finish mower gets used most to maintain good looking pastures. I cut at 4.5 inches with the finish mower. The rotary mower is used for rough cutting that includes tall weeds, young saplings and honeysuckle and rough mixed growth. Both have a place ,but if you are particular about how things look the finish mower is the answer. The big rotary mower would be used monthly at my farm and the finishing mower every week or ten days to keep things how I like them.

 

[bravo2zero]

I am looking at the flair mower 15ft. It's a big one. I just wonder if I condition the land by mowing often if it can still look nice, without a finishing mower?

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a six foot bush hog and a 7 foot finish mower. The difference is night and day. The big question is how often do you want to mow? The finish mower works great if I mow twice a month, but if the grass gets much taller, I have to really slow down to cut it with the finish mower and the results are not as nice. At that point, it's a toss up which looks better.


For me, I like to maintain certain areas and keep the grass nice and short, in other areas, once a month or even every other month is fine just to keep the weeds and small trees under control.

I also have a zero turn mower, which does an even nicer job then the finish mower. Again, it's night and day better. My yard, driveway, front of the property and my "play" area at the pond all get the zero turn every other week, or weekly if we're entertaining.

Eddie

 

[TripleR]

I don't have any pictures, but our 10' Woods DS1260 leaves a nice looking cut if you mow every month and our renters often mow our pond levies with a 15' bat-wing. I have an 8' finish mower I haven't used in years, it gives a great cut, but as mentioned has to be used far more often to look good.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have said it before and I will stick with it.
A King cutter 60" rotary cutter with sharp blades gives a pretty nice cut. I have owned 4 different cutters and used a couple more. never seen anything else that was close.
I still have one as a back-up and use it from time to time when cut is important.

 

[bravo2zero]

You may find this article of interest. To me a rotary mower (bush hog), beats the grass off and a finish mower cuts it off. If you want it look nice, I would go with a finish mower, you are going to have it cut it more often.

TractorData.com - Mowing with tractors

Thanks for the link... I am still deciding. Finishing mower is twice as much as the bush hog, about $20,000 for a 15 ft.