Minimum HP question

[3_lb_trigger]

I am looking to buy my first tractor. I want to run a 6 ft. brush hog. I have been told 35-40 HP is the minimum to run this impliment. What are your opinions about MINIMUM, and RECOMMENDED HP? Will running minimum working HP hurt my tractor? I'll be brush hogging about 100 cleared acres.

 

[Bird]

As a general "rule of thumb" many people consider 5 PTO hp (not engine hp) per foot of width on your mower. So a 35-40 engine hp tractor would probably be about right. Of course, you can certainly go outside the parameters of that "rule of thumb". If the stuff to be cut is light grass and weeds, you could do with less power. If it's heavy, use more overlap; i.e., only cut half the width of the mower at at time. Go faster or slower depending on conditions. No reason to hurt the tractor.

 

[RoyJackson]

Concur with Bird on the recommendations for a 6' cutter.

Since you're in Arkansas, you might want to consider a full sized tractor and a bigger cutter...maybe even a bat wing type. You mentioned you've got to cut 100 acres. That's a lot using a 6' cutter.
A used full sized tractor probably wouldn't cost any more then a 35-40 HP CUT.

 

[deere755]

I mowed about 60 acres with a 7 ft mower one year when we had set a side acre through the farm program. The next year we bought a batwing mower that was 15 ft. The differance in price paid for the fuel. You might want to consider a bigger tractor and a batwing. If you decide to go with a 35 to 40 hp tractor that should handle a 6 ft. mower.

 

[Farwell]

The vision of brush hogging 100 acres sends chills down my spine. If I were stuck with doing 100 acres I would look for a 185 HP tractor with the largest cutter that I could find. I do not envy you.
Farwell

 

[dixiedrifter]

I do 30-40 acres a year with a 10 foot 3 point hitch cutter and its about as small a cutter as I'd want.

If batwings didn't cost 4x as much as what I paid for mine, I'd get one.

 

[Farwell]

Curious, how long does it take you to mow the 30-40 acres? Your answer may give a hint as to which way to go when thinking about what to buy. A six foot mower could take approximately twice that length of time.
Farwell

 

[wushaw]

100 acres and 6' mower, make sure you get one with a cab with AC and plenty of beverages for a few days /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[3_lb_trigger]

Well, I knew I had my work cut out for me, but it looks like I may have underestimated the task at hand. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I have never owned acreage before, and now I have 210 acres to take care of, about half of which is cleared. The previuos owner had an agreement w/ the neighbor that in exchange for letting him keep cows on his 210, the neighbor, who has a huge tractor & cutter, would maintain all the cleared areas. I told the neighbor we would leave things the way they were until I got my own tractor & brush hog, but right now, even after I get my own tractor, leaving that deal in place is sounding pretty good! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

P.S. I forgot to mention that a good portion is sloped, and all of it is rough & very bumpy! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

Yeah...I'd keep the deal with your neighbor...get a smaller tractor for your lesser chores...

3 lb trigger...that's kind of light, don't you think...?