What tractor for a 6' bush hog?

[indianatruck]

I have a 1975 MF 165 which needs brakes. I am trying to decide whether to spend $800-1300 on brakes or purchase a smaller tractor.

What is the smallest tractor I could buy that would handle the 6' bush hog? What price could I expect to get out of the MF?

 

[AndyMA]

I know a lot of guys here say you can run a 6' Bush Hog on a 30 hp tractor. Personally I think that is underpowered for the way I use one and I would bet at least 40hp for 6'

Andy

 

[Fredex]

Paul: If you mow only once or twice per season and have a thick stand of fescue, I would want about 45 pto hp. If you don't let the fescue get over 12" high or have a thinner stand, 40 pto hp will probably be OK. If you under-power a brush hog you have to run slow; too much seat time. For reference, I pulled a 7' with a 1970 MF165 12 speed gasser for a number of years; most places ran in gear 7 or 8, gearing down to 5/6 in the heavy patches (thigh high thick fescue); occasionally slowing to 3/4.
Fred

 

[dgl24087]

I have a JD 1530 Ag tractor, 45 PTO HP, and use a Bush Hog 6' on it. It will handle a 7' hog.

 

[Kubotasrking]

I have a 1975 MF 165 which needs brakes. I am trying to decide whether to spend $800-1300 on brakes or purchase a smaller tractor.

What is the smallest tractor I could buy that would handle the 6' bush hog? What price could I expect to get out of the MF?

35-40 PTO HP should do the trick.

 

[BTI]

I have 2 customers running 6' Hogs one uses a DK45(38pto) the other a DK40(34pto).
It depends alot on what you use the rotary for.
If you use it more for heavy grass cutting the high 30's low 40's PTO hp may be more what you need.
If it is going to be scrub brush type stuff the low to mid 30's should be fine.
Of course if time is on your hands the low to mid 30's PTO will work with the heavier stuff too.
I would be more concerned about the weight of the newer tractors than the HP really.
That MF weighed in at around 5k lbs. The 6ft rotary probably didn't phase it.
You will definitely notice a difference when you go to a lighter tractor.
4wd would help out with control though.
If on flat ground weight won't be as much of a determining factor.
Perkins engines typically put out more hp than they are advertised at also.

BTI

 

[JerryG]

BTI pretty well got everything right on. Just one more thing. If you get a 6' mower and a compact tractor in the 30-40 range, don't get a heavy duty unit. It will be to heavy for the tractor.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I have a 1975 MF 165 which needs brakes. I am trying to decide whether to spend $800-1300 on brakes or purchase a smaller tractor.

What is the smallest tractor I could buy that would handle the 6' bush hog? What price could I expect to get out of the MF?

The heck with how much HP it takes to run a 6ft BH. If that 165 is otherwise OK (based on what you put down, I'm assuming it just needs brakes). Spend the $$ and get the 165 field worthy, whatever it takes, as you ain't gonna find good cheap HP like that today. If you need FWA and an FEL, that's a different story...but just to run a hog and do "stuff" you already have one of the strongest tractors in that class out there. fix it and run it another 30 years. My $.02....BobG in VA

 

[Soundguy]

I have a 1975 MF 165 which needs brakes. I am trying to decide whether to spend $800-1300 on brakes or purchase a smaller tractor.

What is the smallest tractor I could buy that would handle the 6' bush hog? What price could I expect to get out of the MF?

A ford NAA, or hundred series will run a 6' hog.. but you won't be able to buy one for the cost of the brake job. In other words.. do the 800-1300 brake job and keep that beefy mf 165.

Soundguy

 

[Glowplug]

I assume the rotary cutter is a 3ph lift type. Is it?
How often and what type of mowing will you be doing?

Those are two questions that probably need to be answered before buying a tractor on size or hp alone. If it is a lift type make sure your 3ph can lift it and that your tractor is heavy enough. The hp requirements would be different depending on what type of mowing you'll be doing, what the terrain is like, how many acres, and how often you'll be mowing.

Many, many tractors can run a 6' bush hog but can they effectively mow for you?