Bush Hogging

[lefty]

Here's another question about size! I have 12 acres of which I'll be mowing about 5 to 6. I'll also have a 700 to 800 foot driveway to bb and spread road base. My property is just outside Austin Tx. so I don't have to worry about snow. My problem is we will be letting the wildflowers grow in the spring, this means that once a year I will be mowing thick heavy grass up to three feet tall! I'm thinking about buying a Kioti CK20, would this be able to handle the work? The terrain is somewhat sloped but not hilly and the rest is woods that I'll be taking out some Mesquite and Cedar Trees. Am I going to small? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Henro]

Lefty,

I have a 30HP (22 pto hp) tractor on 3.7 acres. And that is about the minimum I would want, only because that is what I have experience with now and really like.

That being said, time is really the consideration I think. You could run a small rotary cutter on that Kioti and it would do the job. Maybe 42" or 48".

Or you could buy a 5' rotary cutter and not cut a full with cut when the grass is too high...

It seems like tractor choice is a balance between time and size, and money and size...

Often going a little bigger does not cost that much, and in the end gives you more bang for your buck. But it has to stop somewhere...

Try to do it right the first time, as trading after a year will hurt...dollar wise.

With 12 acres I would go bigger myself...but that is really a personal decision...bigger means faster... in the end... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RedDog]

I agree with Henro.

If you are interested in Kioti, why not look into the CK30 or even the DK35?

RedDog

 

[cperky]

I use a 5' rotary cutter behind my 26 hp pto for about 5 acre of hogging. Seems to be about the perfect size.

 

[Zoomie]

My tractor puts out about 23 PTO hp, and it has never had any real problems powering my 5' Rotary Mower, nor my 6' Rear Finish Mower.

I like the size of my tractor, and while I have looked at the Sub-Cuts with some interest, they just couldn't get me to reach for the wallet.

Good luck.

 

[chrisjbell]

My Kubota B7300 only puts out something like 17hp at the PTO. I run a 48" brush hog on it and cut about 6-7 acres of very hilly land. It slows down on the steep uphills when the grass is a few feet long, but I can get it through grass and weeds that tower over me and the tractor (yes, when they get that long I'm a BAD boy /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif). I do have to slow down for that... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

After a owning a tractor for a while, I'm firmly in the "bigger is better" category unless you have a reason to stay small, which is usually financial. But there are other considerations for small, such as...you have lots of trees, narrow areas, short areas, etc.

I don't know the specs on the Kiotis but I'm sure that what you're looking at will do just fine. But if you can swing bigger and it makes sense then I'd recommend it. Just remember that it is a long term investment (or expense, if you wish) that will be with you for a long time and is not easily replaced.

 

[KAB]

I have a CK20HST and used it to brush hog about 2 acres of 3' high grass and saplings with a 5' hog. I also used it to clear about .5 acre of brush up to about 2" thick. (total time 6hrs) I spread 17 ton of gravel over an existing 250' very rough driveway (4hrs) and I am currently installing a 12 x 100 driveway (10 hrs deepest area being about 16" most 8-10").

Will a CK20 do the job? YES /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. Is it the fastest machine for the job? NO /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. But in my case it was the most bang for the buck, weighed enough not to need the tires filled, fit size wise were I need it to fit, allowed me to use a 16' trailer, and my current and future vehicles are able to tow it (15 miles between properties and 100 miles to parents when they need work done).

Kurt

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Lefty,

Welcome to TBN! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As to your question, I don't know the HP output of the CK20 so all I can do is tell you what I have and use so you can compare and decide.

My tractor is 27 overall HP with HST and power steering. With those all demanding power the actual HP output at the PTO is in the very low twenties. I have about the same acreage as you but don't have the heavy wildflower growth. I run a 6' finish mower and a 5' rotary cutter. I can keep a reasonable pace with those but sure won't set any records.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[oldforestor]

Lefty, Whatever you buy make sure it is a quality brand. There are lots of "economy" cutters out there and they SUCK.
Spend the money and get a Woods or similar model-others on here can tell you the other brands. My MW cutter is two months old. It is missing 3 bolts that werent torqued properly, has bent frame and strap pieces all over it, the tail wheel seized up and ate thru the tailwheel frame, the clutch shield fell off, and the blade bolts have so much play in them-up and down, it's frightening... by the way, wanna buy mine? Im getting a woods.

 

[SteveM]

I dont know what to say about the economy mower comment, except that everyone I know has a king kutter, and my 10 yr old KK 5 ft is still in excellent shape. Maybe I am easy on it, but I havent seen the need to pay up for a name brand, although I am sure they perform better...somehow....

Most weekend warriors dont brush hog that many hours per year, so the cheapies seem to do OK.

 

[lefty]

Thanks for your input guys. You've answered my questions and brought up some other good points. Like trailer size. I have a 16' trailer, dual axle with electric brakes. Will that handle a 30 hp CUT with FEL and bush hog attached?

What do you think about the Bush Hog 60" Squealer for a rotary cutter? That seems to be what all the dealers around here are pushing.

 

[Skitch]

There have been several posts recently addressing the topic of trailer size. This one will be especially informative. Long, but good information.

As for the Bush Hog, I have had one for almost 15 years now, and not an ounce of trouble with it. I guess I would have to say that I am an average user. It gets hooked up about 4 times a year or so.

 

[AndyMA]

While I was at a dealer yesterday, I looked at a CK20. while I guess it would do you job, it is a pretty tiny tractor. I personally would buy something in the 35 to 40 hp range. I started off with a JD750 and quickly traded up until now, I run a 2120 43hp and a TN 75hp. My last property had about a 4 acre hilly field and the 2120 was perfect for mowing it. Just my thoughts.

Andy

 

[texbaylea]

Lefty

I have your problem of waiting for the wild flowers to go to seed. My areas to be mowed are approaching 4' high with all the rain. I am waiting on the delivery of a Kubota L3130 which is a super tractor but not cheap. I have 20 ac.,slightly sloped but also lots of juniper and yaupon. I think you should plan on a front end loader with a grapple to enable you to move brush piles. I don't think you will ever regret getting as large as you an afford.

Vernon

 

[texbaylea]

Lefty

I did not ask before but are you east or west of the Balcones fault? It will have some impact on how you equipt a tractor. I lived in Austin for some 10 years before I went to work for NASA in Houston.

Vernon

 

[lefty]

Vernon, I'm halfway between Austin and Bastrop. What does the fault line have to do with tractor equipment?
I've cleared quite a bit of the property already using a 16' trailer and a husqvarna chain saw. Would have been nice to of had a tractor, fel, and brush hog.

 

[SPIKER]

Lefty: I'm with others bigger is better, BUT get what you can afford... same for brush hogging, if you only need it a few times in a few places each year don't spend the big bucks for name brand, squeelers ok same for KK or midwest or international. as for size not sure on the ck20 output. something like 4HP per foot of rotary width for average useage on tractors PTO HP that is. a 23 HP PTO will do 5' rotary on most conditions. 20 PTO and 5' rotary is pushing the tractor and speed of mowing goes down as does for hilly terain. mowing slopes you loose HP to moving tractor.

now for that wild flowers think about buring it of once every few years as many wild flowers will not re-seed unless burnt! talk to local forester to be sure if ok and to recogmend someones for inspection as many areas you CAN"T BURN others you need to ...

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif