hey guys, i have a L3130 HST with loaded R4s and a bush hog squealer 600 rotary mower. the mower cuts really good and the tractor pulls it with ease, but when i am done, its looks terrible. it leaves all the cut grass and debris in the tire tracks. i have the high lift blades on the hog, and the hog is about 3-4 inches from covering my tracks. my question is, if i went to a 6 foot hog, do you think it would help? my neighbor has a NH TO 30, with R4s and a 5 ft hog, and doesnt seem to have these same issues, and i think it is due to the fact that their tractor is a little narrower than mine, and the 5ft hog covers the tire tracks. also their mower is like the dove tail discharge mowers, and mine is fully enclosed in back, and throws most of the grass out the back corner, where theirs throws it out by the tailwheel. i know i will never get a finish mower quality cut with a rotary mower, but hate the way the field looks with those tire tracks and thatch laying in them. sorry to be so longwinded, but i guess to sum it up, do you think going with a openbacked 6ft cutter, would be the answer to my problems? thanks ahead of time, guys
Mowing tracks while mowing
- Thread starter botakix
- Start date
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Welcome to TBN!
I'm not sure it would really help much. Windrowing is just the nature of the beast in my experience. What kind of grass/weeds and length are you dealing with? I run a 6' Bushhog model 286 behind a L4330. The hog runs at least a few inches outside the rears. I generally don't mow until the grass/weeds are about 18" tall or more (not real thick), and I windrow a lot. I think a lot has to do with the filled rears (mine are too) mashing down the tall stuff, and then the hog has trouble lifting it back up to cut it. The stiff-stemmed stuff (sericia lespideza) is the worst.
Changing the front-back angle of the hog can affect this a lot too. If the deck is level or down at the rear, clippings will stay under the deck longer and get mulched more. Ideal pitch is supposedly 1-2" higher at the rear, particularly for thick/woody stuff.
- Jay
I'm not sure it would really help much. Windrowing is just the nature of the beast in my experience. What kind of grass/weeds and length are you dealing with? I run a 6' Bushhog model 286 behind a L4330. The hog runs at least a few inches outside the rears. I generally don't mow until the grass/weeds are about 18" tall or more (not real thick), and I windrow a lot. I think a lot has to do with the filled rears (mine are too) mashing down the tall stuff, and then the hog has trouble lifting it back up to cut it. The stiff-stemmed stuff (sericia lespideza) is the worst.
Changing the front-back angle of the hog can affect this a lot too. If the deck is level or down at the rear, clippings will stay under the deck longer and get mulched more. Ideal pitch is supposedly 1-2" higher at the rear, particularly for thick/woody stuff.
- Jay
i usually mow when its about 8 inchs tall or so. its mostly fescue type grass. i think you might be right, about the filled tires mashing down the grass and then the hog cant pick it back up as it goes by. i have set the hog in several different configurations, with about the same effect each time. mine doesnt really windrow real bad, it just the way it ejects the grass, right into the tire track. gonna maybe try and rent a 6 foot open back model, from the rental center, and see if it makes a difference. thanks for all the good info
40_acre_mule
Silver Member
I've found that it also makes a difference which side the unmowed grass is on.
If the cut grass discharge is thrown against the uncut high grass I end up with larger windrows.
My Landpride bush-hog throws out the discharge to the right, so I mow with the uncut grass to the left. This spreads the discharge out a bit more.
If the cut grass discharge is thrown against the uncut high grass I end up with larger windrows.
My Landpride bush-hog throws out the discharge to the right, so I mow with the uncut grass to the left. This spreads the discharge out a bit more.
It could be the set up too. You may want to try raising the rear wheel so the back is 1" higher than the front. That's the "normal" setting. You have to keep the 3pt lift in the correct spot too! Then try raising it so the back is 2" higher. You may have to diddle around and see what is the best.
jb
jb
smitty9266
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2008
- Messages
- 114
- Location
- Long Beach, Mississippi
- Tractor
- 2004 New Holland 4wd tc40, Kubota L2350
I have switched to high lift blades on my SQ720. They seem to pickup the lighter grass better. Found them on E-Bay, instead of being a flat blade they have a lifted edge on them to produce vacuum and lift grass up.
For the best look try this make a pass move over 3 feet make another pass you will end-up with 2 full 5 foot passes then go back and pick-up the 3 foot of unmown grass. This allows you to pick-up both tire tracks and cut the 3 foot and not windrow against the unmown grass. It takes a while to get used to, but once you do it will work great!!
you can also remove the band off the back (I don't recommend this) it will discharge better but will throw any sticks or rocks like missiles. Don't remove the band if you mow near anything that can be damaged or people. The band is also required by federal law if you mow any Road Right-of-ways. You could always change to a rear chain guard.
Jeff
For the best look try this make a pass move over 3 feet make another pass you will end-up with 2 full 5 foot passes then go back and pick-up the 3 foot of unmown grass. This allows you to pick-up both tire tracks and cut the 3 foot and not windrow against the unmown grass. It takes a while to get used to, but once you do it will work great!!
you can also remove the band off the back (I don't recommend this) it will discharge better but will throw any sticks or rocks like missiles. Don't remove the band if you mow near anything that can be damaged or people. The band is also required by federal law if you mow any Road Right-of-ways. You could always change to a rear chain guard.
Jeff
art
Super Member
It's tough to get all the grss cut when you drive over some twice before cutting. Do go to the 6' to solve some of your issues unless it is wet. The TC-30 is quite a bit lighter then your tractor and not packing it into the ground as much.