Recent bush hogging

tractorshopper · Jul 30, 2013

Saturday work. This was the easy stuff. Should have taken a picture on the other side of my property. Didn't bush hog that last year at all and had some stuff 16' tall to knock down. Had to go slow just to see the slope and where I needed to cut to and where to not go. Started mostly in reverse on that size to find where hill gets too steep.

Got poison ivy again.

I get it every time I bush hog over there.

VroomVroom · Jul 30, 2013

would a flail mower work as well?

Bluegill2 · Jul 30, 2013

Dang man, take that loader off when mowing and enjoy!

tractorshopper · Jul 30, 2013

VV - Don't know much about flail mowers, but from what little I understand, I think it would cut that stuff cleaner than a bush hog. The other side of my property has lots of woody stuff that the bush hog is great for that I don't know if a flail mower would cut or not. I cut some stuff over 4" thick the same day and lots of 1-2" thick stuff.

Bluegill, I use the loader to push down some of the really tall stuff before driving over it and also if a tree is down somewhere in my "woodsy" area, I can just push it out of the way and down the hill. The more "pasture" type areas would be probably easier to cut with the loader off though.

creekbend · Jul 30, 2013

Nice job. I enjoy Bush Hogging.

Bluegill2 · Jul 30, 2013

tractorshopper said:
Bluegill, I use the loader to push down some of the really tall stuff before driving over it and also if a tree is down somewhere in my "woodsy" area, I can just push it out of the way and down the hill. The more "pasture" type areas would be probably easier to cut with the loader off though.

Good reason to leave it on for now and I did the same for awhile. But now that I've got the nasty stuff out of the way, I'll never mow with the FEL on again!

Ken45101 · Jul 31, 2013

Bluegill2 said:
Good reason to leave it on for now and I did the same for awhile. But now that I've got the nasty stuff out of the way, I'll never mow with the FEL on again!

When I used to have the Kubota M4700, it was a couple of hour process to remove the FEL and mount the front weight bumper and weights. Without the front weights, the mower was too heavy. Almost never would I spend all that time going back and forth. The M4700 has been replaced with the M5040 (4wd). The FEL has never been off of the M5040.

Maestro71 · Jul 31, 2013

I leave the fel on as well, it doesn't bother me so wh go through the effort to take I off I guess. To each his own.

TripleR · Jul 31, 2013

Mowing with the FEL on didn't bother me for many years through two tractors. Once I got a tractor with an easily removable FEL, I figured why not, so I tried it and really liked the smoother ride and maneuverability especially in woods, I often remove mine, just depends on the stuff I am mowing.

Bluegill2 · Jul 31, 2013

I'd rather take a beating than mow with the FEL on!!!

Kenneth in Texas · Aug 1, 2013

Bluegill2 said:
I'd rather take a beating than mow with the FEL on!!!

why? I agree you have to watch it in tight quarters but open fields its never bothered me.

TripleR · Aug 1, 2013

Bluegill2 said:
I'd rather take a beating than mow with the FEL on!!!

For me it depends on what/where I am mowing. Mowing trails I use it to push dead trees/limbs out of the way. We mow some land only twice a year and seem to always find a washout that wasn't there last year and have had to use the FEL to push me back out of one several time then go get some dirt and fill it in. In heavy, tall brush I use it to push the stuff over and keep it out of my grill and off my steering linkage. Mowing levies/hills I need the weight to keep the front on the ground. When practical, I take it off and really like it that way.

LD1 · Aug 1, 2013

I leave mine on for several reasons

1. The bushhog is just too heavy to not have it (1100lbs)
2. I mow for others alot. Fields I have never been in before. ITs protection
3. Pushing things out of the way
4. It seems to catch a TON more of the seeds and stuff that plug up the radiator/screen. So I dont have to clean it as often.

I am sure there are more. But thats all I got for now.

Sure you have to be more careful around obsticals. But thats worth it.

Bluegill2 · Aug 1, 2013

I mow several miles of logging roads/trails and around a bunch of trees and fence rows. It's just 'Much' easier mowing with the FEL off for me! I also like the way the tractor handles 'Much' better! That's a lot of extra weight that doesn't need to be on the front end all the time!

ovrszd · Aug 1, 2013

I remove mine for size reasons. Easier to get around in tight spots. But I understand everyone's reasons for leaving it on too. Whatever works for ya.

When I'm in the process of removing the FEL and hitching up the cutter I'm always amazed at how nimble and agile the tractor feels without those attachments.

RobertN · Aug 1, 2013

Remember that is an oil; it is surely all over your tractor. Beware when you work around the tractor now.

I have got poison aok weeks arfter I tractored around it; that oil got on tractor, stayed there, then I rubbed against tractor checking oil etc. Presto, I had poison oak...

If you know you will be in poison oak/ivy, wear coveralls and gloves. Use pre-exposure cream. Avon and Technu make it. Then, clean up good with Technu and phels-naptha soap.

tractorshopper said:
View attachment 329606
Got poison ivy again. I get it every time I bush hog over there.

Piston · Aug 1, 2013

Nice pic,

I recently mowed without the FEL on and I really like the maneuverability of it. The only thing was, I was really missing it when I came across 2 deadfalls and I didn't have my grapple to move them out of the way! Not only that, but as much as I like doing wheelies, it got old after a while. Although, it wouldn't be so bad if kubota had figured out long ago to put the brakes on the other side so you could actually USE them!

ovrszd · Aug 1, 2013

Piston said:
Although, it wouldn't be so bad if kubota had figured out long ago to put the brakes on the other side so you could actually USE them!

Oh let's not get that conversation started!!!! You'll hear people say you don't need brakes if you have HST. Never could make that connection but whatever....

My Brother's L3240 brake pedals are almost in the center. Pretty easy to get the left foot on the brake pedals while right footing the HST.

TripleR · Aug 1, 2013

ovrszd said:
Oh let's not get that conversation started!!!! You'll hear people say you don't need brakes if you have HST. Never could make that connection but whatever....

My Brother's L3240 brake pedals are almost in the center. Pretty easy to get the left foot on the brake pedals while right footing the HST.

:thumbsup:

LD1 · Aug 2, 2013

The HST brakes are on the left???

I did not know that. I just assumed they were on the right like other tractors. Left foot braking would take some getting used to.