What size bush hog?

[punkinspecial]

I need some advice as to what size bush hog to use with a DK55. Some land is a bit hilly but not unsafe. I will be mostly cutting th e summer's growth of weeds and junk. There are a few small trees that come back each year, not over 1-2 inches in diameter. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Fredex]

6 ft.; maybe 7 if it's a 2 spindle machine. 7 ft. single spindle hangs way back & could cause stability problems in hilly terrain, though front weights may help.

 

[Highbeam]

My 30HP will easily swing my 5 foot mower blades through anything you describe. 5 HP per foot is the general rule of thumb with special consideration for your hilliness so really you have all the power you need for as much mower as you need.

A dual spindle 8 foot mower would sit behind you really close and should be wide enough to cover your tracks.

 

[tf116]

I have a DK55 and a 6' brush hog and if I had the money I would buy an 8' one...and I have hilly steep ground, or maybe just a 7' er would have to look and see how it was set up.......
A Dealer told me I could use an 8' one on a DK55.................Mike
Also the DK55 seems stable on ground that I've been over......

 

[jeffva]

I've got an 801 ford diesel and a DK55. I really like my 6footer, it can mow quite a bit and is fairly light and easily put on/off the tractor. I bought a 7 footer with the DK and it really is a beast. Much heavier and harder to use overall. I mow around trees and scrub. It also is too heavier for the ole ford without frontend weights... but the DK55 can turn it and handle the size/weight easily. It really comes down to your need and what you mow generally - lots of open field, then get a batwing, otherwise a 6 or 7 footer, certainly not 8...

good luck.

 

[tf116]

Thanks Jeff for the info.....will need to buy an other hog in near future.. and I have some really steep ground......
No problem with 6'er but don't want to get into trouble with an 8foot one.....

 

[rvaitor]

I need some advice as to what size bush hog to use with a DK55. Some land is a bit hilly but not unsafe. I will be mostly cutting th e summer's growth of weeds and junk. There are a few small trees that come back each year, not over 1-2 inches in diameter. Thanks for the suggestions.

I am using an international machines 7ft and my dealer say he has someone using a dual spindle 8ft. I was initially concerned about the size, I have bought this unit to run behind a Mahindra 6000 4WD with ag tires. My Kioti has industrials. Overall it works pretty well and I'm comfortable with the set-up. My topo is rolling with terraces so I am especially careful in those areas.

 

[unhappykioti]

If you have alot to mow a batwing is the way to go and is much safer than a 3 point mounted bush hog because the machine is being pulled behind you and pivots on your hitch unlike a 3 point mower that hangs off the back of your tractor that is much more rigid when the tractor or the mower slides so does the other. that is not the case with a hitch towed machine when one moves generally the other does not.

 

[NY_kioti_sales]

6 ft works great..... you could get away with a 7ft one on flatter terrain.

 

[punkinspecial]

Thanks for all the input. I am leaning towards a 6 footer. I have some open spaces to mow, but just enough tight places that would require a smaller size. I also have another tractor that could pull a 6 footer without problems.

 

[DrewL]

6 ft works great..... you could get away with a 7ft one on flatter terrain.

Wouldn't a larger mower give a machine more stability if the tractor can turn it? I guess I need an explaination on this

 

[NY_kioti_sales]

It is a weight issue. If you are on a side hill and need to pick up the mower the lighter the better. A heavier mower could result in a roll over.

 

[joe48]

as a frame of reference I have a CK20 with a 48in KingKutter. The 20 and the KK easily handle anything I can push over with the loader. I cut brush and saplings up to 2-3 in. and never run the engine over 2000 rpm,as abit of safety factor on the equip., only stalled it once when I caught an old steel fence post.
as far as slopes, if it exceedes my 15% pucker factor ,I put it in 2wd and go up it. if it won't go up in 2wd its too steep. AND ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT !

 

[DrewL]

what about center of gravity? In other words more weight lower to the ground (on the ground actually) can act as an anchor..............no?

 

[HickoryDean]

The weight on the ground will work as an anchor. I got in a bind a couple of weeks ago and mashed bush hog and FEL down to keep from going over. Even had right foot on the ground (on a pretty good angle). The problem was how to lift implements in order to move tractor without going over. Ended up dragging the bucket and backed out of rut.
Hickory.

 

[rvaitor]

6 ft.; maybe 7 if it's a 2 spindle machine. 7 ft. single spindle hangs way back & could cause stability problems in hilly terrain, though front weights may help.

Well, I talked International Machines(actually the company it different) and they indicated the dual spindle unit is harder on the engine, driving basically three gear boxes the center and two outers. I was thinking of stepping up to a 8ft but am now thinking of staying with the IM702.

Does this make sense to those of you with larger mowers?

Thanks,

 

[Highbeam]

"they indicated the dual spindle unit is harder on the engine, driving basically three gear boxes the center and two outers. I was thinking of stepping up to a 8ft but am now thinking of staying with the IM702."

There is no doubt some drag created by spinning three gearboxes but the poster has 55 HP to spend and that buys a lot more than 8 feet of mower width in a "weeds and junk" mowing setting. Power to spare.