Lift or pull? What's your preference.

[ENG18LT]

I have always used a lift type brush hog on my tractors. Currently I have a Bush Hog 286 (6' single spindle) and am quite happy with it's performance. My machine could certainly pull an 8', especially dual spindle one. My question to all is what do you prefer and why, lift type or pull type brush hog? Once I clear the heavy stuff with the 6' I would like to get the dual spindle 8'. I haven't chosen a brand, nor do I wish to start a brand war. Simply looking for input on the benefits of each style. One other thing, I am not interested in a flail mower so don't go there, sorry . The land is fairly flat to rolling hill and will be very open. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

 

[Mark Page]

Lift type hands down if you have some tall stuff to knock down. For mowing 10-12 inch fo with the pull type, it does a better job on fields and such.

 

[TripleR]

That is a hard one. We use both and like both types. Our primary cutters right now are a L5030 pulling a 3PH Land Pride RCR2672 and a M8540 pulling a Woods DS1260 pull type. Before we bought the DS1260, we used a Woods 3PH 121; still have it, but don't use it.

We use both in all conditions including brush and saplings 3" or larger taller than the M8540 in some areas; both work well.

We like the pull type as it feels more stable on hills/slopes of which we have quite a few and gives a more even cut over rough ground. It is not as nimble as the 3PH type and you can't back over drop offs to cut along ditches etc.

The pull type is easier to hook/unhook to if that's important.

Mark Page makes a valid point in that sometimes my son will lift the 3PH and use the hydraulic top link to get a different angle of attack and back into some extremely heavy stuff then lower and go forward taking small bites out. I have done this, but in large areas I find it impractical and just knock it down with the bucket and mow over it.

Given your terrain, for me it would be a coin toss as I see nothing to give a significant advantage one over the other.

Just an observation which may be unique to us as three people operate our equipment, but I see less damage to trees, fences etc. with a pull type.

 

[bigbull338]

ive got the 3pt type now.an it works fine for the shredding im doing now.the next shredder will be a 10ft pulltype.that will be used in big open areas to get things done pretty fast.

 

[creekbend]

I have a lift type rotary mower. I have never used the pull type before.

 

[TripleR]

I have a lift type rotary mower. I have never used the pull type before.

That's probably because you are too young. When I was growing up on the farm, a lot of tractors didn't have 3PH and pull types were pretty common.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Harder to get out of trouble with a pull type. A 3-pt can be lifted, and you can just back up.

 

[Zebrafive]

I do not have a pull type. Isn't a pull type limited in how sharp you can turn? Might damage the drive line if you turn too sharp.
That and backing up for any distance would be disadvantage for me.

With a 3pt you have to remember it swings wider on the turns, you can't just turn sharply away from a fence or it will swing into it.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I do not have a pull type. Isn't a pull type limited in how sharp you can turn? Might damage the drive line if you turn too sharp.
That and backing up for any distance would be disadvantage for me.

With a 3pt you have to remember it swings wider on the turns, you can't just turn sharply away from a fence or it will swing into it.

Cheap pull type cutters just have a standard PTO shaft and turning too sharp is hard on them. The top tier brands will have either a Constant Velocity shaft or an Equal Angle shaft which either can be turned close to 90* without harm.



We have a pull type 1008 JD bush hog (HX10 is the new equivalent) and it has been a great unit. For cutting fields and large areas I prefer the pull-type. Some of the advantages are that IMO it turns corners better (you can make more rounds before you get an acute corner), it seems to ride at a more constant height, and also seems to cut more material that is in the wheel tracks (since it has more time to spring up before going under the cutter.) Also you can go around trees and it swings in on the turn to get right up next to the trunk. On most trees you can drive around them and just leave a little 6" circle of grass around it.

As for the disadvantages, they are more expensive, harder to transport, and harder to work in tight areas. Also you can't hang it out over things like a ditch or pond bank like you can a 3pt model. Basically, for wide open areas I much prefer a good sized pull type unit, for tight areas I like a 5-6' 3pt hitch model.

 

[TripleR]

I do not have a pull type. Isn't a pull type limited in how sharp you can turn? Might damage the drive line if you turn too sharp.
That and backing up for any distance would be disadvantage for me.

With a 3pt you have to remember it swings wider on the turns, you can't just turn sharply away from a fence or it will swing into it.

You can get a CV joint rather than regular U joint to let you turn pretty sharp, but no you will never be able to turn as sharp as with a 3PH.

Backing up is like backing a short coupled trailer, with a little practice you should be fine. I back up with my mirrors a lot of the time when I am sure no one is around.