Is a Bush Hog 326 Too Heavy For 4720?

[Cranky]

I have a 4720 with an open station, loaded tires and a 400cx loader. Now I need a Bush Hog.

A Bush Hog 326 weighs1,400 lbs, and a Bush Hog BH26 weighs 1,100 lbs.

Is the 326 too heavy for my 4720? Will 300 more lbs make that much of a difference as far as the front being too light?

Thanks!

 

[oldtimer 66]

A quick yes. Get the lighter machine. Later.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a 4720 with an open station, loaded tires and a 400cx loader. Now I need a Bush Hog.

A Bush Hog 326 weighs1,400 lbs, and a Bush Hog BH26 weighs 1,100 lbs.

Is the 326 too heavy for my 4720? Will 300 more lbs make that much of a difference as far as the front being too light?

Thanks!

An MX6 requires 12 70 lb. front weights to balance out without a fel in place. If you leave your fel in place you should be okay. The 326 is a heavy duty unit are you sure you need that much capacity?

 

[Piston]

No, it's not too heavy, and it's about a perfect match for your tractor if your doing heavy cutting, or want a cutter that will last your lifetime. I have a very comparable brush cutter (Brown 472) and the same frame size tractor as you have, with less PTO hp. It's an excellent match.

As mentioned, you need to either keep your FEL on or use quite a bit of front end weight. When I'm mowing in the woods (about the only thing I don't mow is nice clean fields) and I want to take the FEL off for maneuverability, I leave top link in "float" so the rear wheel of the cutter is always supporting weight, this way I don't need any front end weights.

When I lift it clear off the ground, I can get the front tires of the tractor in the air if I stomp down on the HST pedal, so yes it's a lot for the tractor, but not too much.

I imagine if your looking at a BH 326 mower, your very much aware of the importance of quality. :thumbsup: This mower would last a lifetime.


However, if your mowing field grass, the BH26 would do everything you need as well. I tend to recommend "overkill" so keep that in mind.

 

[Cranky]

Thanks Guys!

Yes, I want a mower that will probably outlast me. I also learned about buying quality vs junk long ago. Buy once, cry once...

The area I will be mowing has not been mowed in a few years and has some large saplings and thick undergrowth. It is definitely not a pasture. I will probably need a grapple at some point to clear some of the stuff.

I am also considering switching to a 5 ft mower instead of a 6 ft. There is quite a bit of wooded area, and the 5 ft mower would definitely be more maneuverable.

Also the trailer I have access to is a car hauler and is only 83 inches wide between the fenders. The 6 ft mower is 78 inches wide according to the manufactures' websites. I am afraid I will be cursing every time I load or unload the tractor with the mower attached with only 5 inches of clearance.

A Brown 415 is about 75 lbs heavier than the Bush Hog BH25. The Brown is also 7 gauge compared to 10 gauge for the Bush Hog. Right now I am leaning towards the Brown 415.

 

[Piston]

Brown makes excellent products, I've been very happy with my 472 (which the 416 replaces) and is built like a tank. I think a 415 would be a good idea if your mowing mostly in wooded areas.

I wanted a 6' mower because it was so recommended on here, people are always saying that you want to cover your tracks. However, now that I have quite a bit of mowing time under my belt, I now see that a 5' mower could have been a good choice as well.

If your mowing more in the woods, and taking down a lot of larger saplings, then a 5' would be a good idea (not that 6' isn't). You have plenty of power for either, so it's a win win. Tough decision between BH and Brown, they are both top of the line and very heavy duty mowers. I would buy Brown again if I ever needed to, but I don't see that day ever coming

 

[Cranky]

Thanks Piston.

What about squeezing a 6 ft rotary cutter on an 83” wide (at the fenders) car hauler?

I will probably be moving the tractor and mower 6-8 times a year. It won't be a daily or weekly thing.

 

[Piston]

You'd be fine with the trailer, my trailer is the same, and I never have a problem fitting the brush hog on there (width wise.) My problem is the length, with an 18' trailer, I really don't have enough room to move the tractor back and forth to balance the load.

 

[Brown Dog]

I run a MX6 & a 110" BEFCO Rear Finishing that weighs 1450 lbs on my 4720

I have all 4 tires fluid filled & 240lbs of suitcase weight up front.

I Mow a Lot of Hills & Banks around my farm weekly.

It handles well but better WITH frt end loader attached.

Also Be sure to check blade tip speed before purchasing.

The MX6 is much faster than Bush Hog brand.