New guy, looking for more opinions.

[Joe Batt]

I posted before about a rough rocky field. Looks like picking up rocks will become the nightly walk for a while. I'll try to get the field rolled, if I can find anyone, but I've not heard of anyone with a roller.

My hay guy complained that the rocks damaged his mower and the rough field was too much wear on his rake, but his round baler was fine. So to make this a little easier for him (or his replacement), I'm thinking about using my 60" rotary mower next year, buying a 12' 3 point rake and only paying to have someone round bale it. It looks like the baler is the expensive, high maintenance implement in this process anyway.

If that works out, I'll invest in a disk mower. I have a 31 hp Massey Ferguson 1250, which is a little light for a good mower. I plan on replacing it in about 5 years. The field should produce about 60 ton, but I only need about 20 ton for my sheep (so the losses due to using a brush hog shouldn't be an issue).

Here is a picture of the grass that he left because he didn't want to tear up his rake. The alfalfa really took off after this photo was taken. We've had a lot of rain for this time of year. I do not expect to get another cutting this year though.

 

[Doughknob]

Do u mean brush hog type mower?

 

[Joe Batt]

Yes. I'm considering mowing with my single spindle bushhog/brushhog/rotary mower. It sounds like I will end up leaving 20% or so on the ground. Anything else I need to know about mowing with a bushhog?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Some of them you could remove one side side and cut hay. Half the skirt.

 

[jeff9366]

Anything else I need to know about mowing with a bushhog?

As you are working toward a smooth field and will be cutting grass and not brush and saplings, consider a Rotary Cutter with twin tail wheels for stability and an even cut, rather than a single tail wheel.

For those cutting brush a single tale wheel model is desirable for backing into heavy brush areas.

I do not hay. But I operate a 60" HD Rotary Cutter on a similar spec tractor regularly.

Massey Ferguson 1250​

1992 - 2002 1200 Compact Series Compact Utility tractor Iseki built

Series:	1240 ←	1250	→ 1260
		1433 ↓

Production
Distributor:	Massey Ferguson
Manufacturer:	Iseki
Type:	Compact Utility tractor
Original price:	$16,000 (1999 )

Massey Ferguson 1250 Power
Engine (gross):	34 hp 25.4 kW
Engine (net):	32 hp 23.9 kW
PTO (claimed):	27.3 hp 20.4 kW

Massey Ferguson 1250 Engine

Iseki 1.5L 3-cyl diesel

Mechanical
Chassis:	4x2 2WD
	4x4 MFWD 4WD
Steering:	power assist
Brakes:	wet disc
Cab:	Two-post foldable ROPS.
Transmission:	16-speed synchro shuttle

Photos

Capacity
Fuel:	7.9 gal 29.9 L
Hydraulic system:	6.6 gal 25.0 L

Hydraulics
Type:	open center
Capacity:	6.6 gal 25.0 L
Pump flow:	6.3 gpm 23.8 lpm
Total flow:	9.6 gpm 36.3 lpm

Tractor hitch
Rear Type:	I
Control:	position control
Rear lift (at ends):	2866 lbs 1300 kg

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO:	independent
Clutch:	electro-hydraulic
Rear RPM:	540 (1.375)
Engine RPM:	540@2389
Mid PTO:	independent (optional)
Clutch:	electro-hydraulic
Mid RPM:	1960
Engine RPM:	1960@2600

Dimensions
Wheelbase:	67.9 inches 172 cm
Length:	121.9 inches 309 cm
Width:	55.3 inches 140 cm (min)
Height (ROPS):	85.4 inches 216 cm
	68.9 inches 175 cm (folded)
Weight:	2746 lbs 1245 kg (4WD)
Ground clearance:	12.2 inches 30 cm
Front tread:	39 to 50.9 inches 99 to 129 cm (2WD)
Front tread:	42.2 inches 107 cm (4WD)
Rear tread:	43.3 to 55.9 inches 109 to 141 cm

MF1250 has enough power and weight to operate a 60" Rotary Cutter of 600 to 800 pounds weight.

A 60" Rotary Cutter pulled over a smooth field a 5-mph will cut about 2.5-2.75 acres per hour.


MF 1250 would have enough power and weight to operate a 72" Rotary Cutter in moderate length grass, weighing up to 800 pounds. In longer grass you might have to cut a partial, rather than full width swathe, at times.

A 72" Rotary Cutter pulled over a smooth field at 5-mph will cut about 3.0-3.25 acres per hour.



Two examples: Land Pride RCF2060, RCF 2072.

 

[Doughknob]

Soooooo, uhhhhhh, cut hay with a brush hog eh. I suppose you will be able to rake some up and bale it but it will be all beat up and poor quality feed. You will lose much of the small pieces the rotary blades chop up. I have never seen, or heard of, anyone cutting hay with a brush hog.

 

[Grumpycat]

If the problem is rocks then buy or rent a rock rake to remove the rocks.

 

[RustyA]

A skeleton or rock bucket will do wonders in the spring when ground is soft and rocks are looser and easier to skim. Way better than picking by hand. It will also flatten ground a little. Hay cut with brush hog will be difficult to rake and bale.

 

[dirttoys]

If the problem is rocks then buy or rent a rock rake to remove the rocks.

Yup, can't remember if I replied to a similar question on another thread. Rock hound or Harley rack will pickem/windrow them for you.

Best,

ed

 

[CH4Ohio]

You can't really cut HAY with a bush-hog type mower. That's like cutting with your lawn mower and then trying to tie string around the clippings. It repeatedly chops the same grass, etc. as you mow over it, unlike a discbine, haybine, or sickle-bar that just cuts the plant at the base and then lays it on the ground.

Looks like you've got a pretty good crop of foxtails going there too. They are the worst for horses and will blister their mouths in short order. OK for sheep or will the sheep pick around them? Foxtails are a real problem here in Ohio in July and August too.

The cheapest way I've found to cut hay with limited horsepower is to find a decent NH haybine. But you'll still have to deal with the rocks . . .

Good luck.