DK45S bush hog capability?

TerryJ · Jul 14, 2008

Would a DK45S be capable of running a 3pt 10' Howse bush hog? I would be mowing pasture and grass/weed fields, nothing very thick.

Highbeam · Jul 14, 2008

I have no problems at all with a 5' mower and 30 HP so it seems safe to say that 7.5' on your 45 HP would be fine. I have heard the rule of thumb as 5HP per mower foot which would allow you to run a 9' mower.

Neither of these thoughts equate to a 10' mower but you also have the option of taking smaller bites if the vegetation overpowers your machine. For example, only cutting 5' with the 10' mower deck.

Heck, if my tractor would hook up to the 10' mower I would give it a try in the light grass you describe.

Do you have a cheap deal on a 10' mower or just want the most mower that you can get?

TerryJ · Jul 14, 2008

Highbeam, thanks for the reply. Yes, I found a really good deal on an almost new Howse 10' for a little less than half new price. Also I would like to shorten the time spent mowing, 3 extra feet per pass adds up when mowing a large field.

mark.r · Jul 14, 2008

I'm a sucker for a good deal and big equipment but I'm going to say no. I run a 6ft Landpride rotory in all types of material and it can tax my DK45SE. That said, I would like to try a seven foot to get a little more wheel coverage but that would be the absolute limit of what I would try to run. Now, I do run a 7ft. finish mower for my pastures and I wish I had an 8ft. for that. I could turn that with out any issue in mid range. Taking that into consideration, you are looking at running 10ft. rotory? That can take quite a bit of tractor.

I'd read this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/124956-big-enough-tractor-10-ft-2.html#post1440665

DrRick · Jul 14, 2008

I would be tempted to go for it. I run a 15 ft batwing in that type of field with a dk55. If it is too thick just take a smaller bite.
rick

IslandTractor · Jul 14, 2008

I'd worry a bit about the weight of a 10ft monster and I agree with Mark that it does seem a stretch....but I am also a sucker for a good deal so I'd probably do it with the idea that I could sell it for close to what I paid if it did not work out. Half off retail is about what a used bush hog goes for on Craig's List. There may not be a huge market for 10 footers but someone will come along to take it off your hands.

Highbeam · Jul 15, 2008

Are you mowing on any hills? If on flat ground then why on earth does the weight of this implement matter at all? I've heard that before but I can't understand why the weight would matter since you have plenty of tractor to lift the implement. 10' rotary would be two gearboxes right? It will sit behind the tractor about as far as a regular 5 or 6' hog. You'll know real quick if you need to add weight to the front with a loader, front weights, or a loader bucket full of rocks.

The pasture is light grass. The first lap can be slow and be a full width cut. Then speed up to the desired ground speed based on the bumpiness and then take as big a bite as you can without lugging the engine. Round and round you go.

Oleozz · Jul 15, 2008

TerryJ said:
Would a DK45S be capable of running a 3pt 10' Howse bush hog? I would be mowing pasture and grass/weed fields, nothing very thick.

Don't think so. Lost of weight back there with a 10 footer, I would not go over 7 ft with a 45. You only have about 38 pto hp., that's not a heck of a lot to turn a bush hog that big.

mark.r · Jul 15, 2008

What's the point of a 10' rotory if you are only taking 7,8,9' bites? Save the wear and tear on your tractor and buy the implement that is more suited to your power unit.