I need opinions on which Bush hog rotary cutter to buy. I have a new L3400 FWD with FEL. Bush hog site specs say the SQ160 has 1-1/2" cutting capacity on one spec sheet and 2" on the brochure. Pretty sure the 295 is a little much for the L3400. Definately want a 5 footer. Any suggestions? I want to get the most hog the tractor can safely handle.
Which Bushhog for L3400
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dannylink
Member
When I purchased my L3400 in 2005 the dealership assurred me that it would pull easily a 6 foot rotery cutter. I mow about 35 acreas of pasture which has a few hilly spots and gulleys. Since this was the primary reason for buying the tractor, I took their advice and purchased the 6 foot Howse cutter and went to work. The L3400 pulled this piece of equipment with not trouble at all. I have since mowed for two seasons and have not experienced any problem with the tractor operation. I am not, however, mowing down trees or anything like this. But fescue is tough in the spring especially if it is thick. Hope this helps.
canoetrpr
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I have a Woods BB60 and L3400. Wish I had purchased the BB72 (6ft). Folks on TBN suggested I go with a 6 footer. Dealer suggested I go with a 5 footer as this was the max the tractor could handler. Dealer was dead wrong.
Wish I had the 6 footer as it is tough cutting around fence lines with a cutter that is only exactly as wide as your tires.
This tractor WON"T handler a heavy duty 6 ft cutter... but from the sounds of what you are after, it will handle a 6ft std. duty cutter just fine so long as you mow with a FEL (or front weights).
Wish I had the 6 footer as it is tough cutting around fence lines with a cutter that is only exactly as wide as your tires.
This tractor WON"T handler a heavy duty 6 ft cutter... but from the sounds of what you are after, it will handle a 6ft std. duty cutter just fine so long as you mow with a FEL (or front weights).
canoetrpr
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Oh yeah.. and I HIGHLY recommend the Woods BB60/72.
Mmurph
New member
When the going gets to thick just over lap a foot or two
ToddW
Silver Member
bigballer
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i have the rz60 which is the lightest 60" model you can get apparently. i paid $900 at the kubota dealer, at the time i was was a bit naive so probably over paid, i have not had any problems with the mower and it's done everything i have asked. if i had several acres of grass to cut i would probably trade up to a wood's 72 but for this property it suits me fine.
clenhart
Silver Member
ToddW said:
I second this opinion... I have a 6' finish mower and a 5' Bush Hog Squealer shredder and the extra width of the finish mower is really nice when mowing along a fence line or other border. I have had no trouble with the Bush Hog except in the very thickest southern grasses and have no doubt that the extra HP in the 3400 would handle the extra foot in cutting width with no problem.
mjfox6
Silver Member
I have an L3400HST and a 5' heavy duty Lowery cutter. It cuts through saplings up to 2" with no problem, but will bog down the tractor in thick, heavy grass. I think the 3400 could handle a 6' medium or light duty cutter, but I definitely would not use a 6' heavy duty model. The owner's manual says it can handle 6'.
ArmsOutWide
Member
I'm a new owner (15 hours) of an L3400 and a Rhino 172 brush cutter (with chain guards). I would call the mower "standard duty" as there are lighter and heavier models available at that size from Rhino. I also only have 4 hours on the cutter, so take my experience with a grain of salt.
So, given my brief experience, I think a 6' cutter is fine. At first I believed the dealer and was going to get a 5' cutter, but then on advice of the TBN nation I got the 6' instead. I had to talk the dealer into letting me pair the brush cutter / tractor together. It is slightly "over spec" at ~850 lbs, but the tractor handles it fine overall. A couple of times I thought that I was getting a bit of "tail wagging the dog" from the cutter, but later on a neighbor pointed out that my "check chains" had loosened up, and that was probably the cause of the sway.
Anyway, I have been knocking down 1-2" blackjack oak saplings (mostly dead already) with the FEL and then chewing them up with the mower (while mowing waist high grass). Now, most of the tree trunk would get pressed down below the blade of the mower, but after it gets run over the rest is pretty much mulch. On the disclaimer side, I was also driving pretty slow since I was trying to find the rocks BEFORE I ran over them.
So, given my brief experience, I think a 6' cutter is fine. At first I believed the dealer and was going to get a 5' cutter, but then on advice of the TBN nation I got the 6' instead. I had to talk the dealer into letting me pair the brush cutter / tractor together. It is slightly "over spec" at ~850 lbs, but the tractor handles it fine overall. A couple of times I thought that I was getting a bit of "tail wagging the dog" from the cutter, but later on a neighbor pointed out that my "check chains" had loosened up, and that was probably the cause of the sway.
Anyway, I have been knocking down 1-2" blackjack oak saplings (mostly dead already) with the FEL and then chewing them up with the mower (while mowing waist high grass). Now, most of the tree trunk would get pressed down below the blade of the mower, but after it gets run over the rest is pretty much mulch. On the disclaimer side, I was also driving pretty slow since I was trying to find the rocks BEFORE I ran over them.
N80
Super Member
It all depends with what you're cutting. I can bog down my 4400 with a 6 foot cutter in the right stuff. Trying to cut deep, thich clumps of fescue at a low setting is much harder than going through brush and brambles.
I think the 3400 will handle a 6 footer just fine in most situations and if the stuff is too deep, like someone said, overlap a little or raise the mower a bit.
Like someone said, a mower wider than your tires can have advantages, but it also has drawbacks. I like that my 6 footer fits within the wheel width; makes working in tight places a lot easier.
Whatever you do, if you go to a medium duty mower or any heavier unit, the problem is not so much if the hp is sufficient to turn it but if your 3 pt lift capacity is sufficient. Check the specs in your owners manual. It will give you a max weight specifically for a mower. You can't just go by the specs of the 3 pt lift capacity.
I think the 3400 will handle a 6 footer just fine in most situations and if the stuff is too deep, like someone said, overlap a little or raise the mower a bit.
Like someone said, a mower wider than your tires can have advantages, but it also has drawbacks. I like that my 6 footer fits within the wheel width; makes working in tight places a lot easier.
Whatever you do, if you go to a medium duty mower or any heavier unit, the problem is not so much if the hp is sufficient to turn it but if your 3 pt lift capacity is sufficient. Check the specs in your owners manual. It will give you a max weight specifically for a mower. You can't just go by the specs of the 3 pt lift capacity.
beersngars
Gold Member
I have the same tractor/FEL and have a Woods BB60X. Check out the new X (extreme) series. Woods calls it a heavy standard duty. 
Some times I wish it was a 72" rather than the 60", but the 60" is nice to get in and out of trees that I mow around. As far as power I have no complaints.
Some times I wish it was a 72" rather than the 60", but the 60" is nice to get in and out of trees that I mow around. As far as power I have no complaints.
Texas Dodge
Gold Member
Danno1
Veteran Member
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I think your bush-hogs would work better if you cleaned, painted, and waxed them!!!
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I think your bush-hogs would work better if you cleaned, painted, and waxed them!!!
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N80
Super Member
Danno1 said:.
I think your bush-hogs would work better if you cleaned, painted, and waxed them!!!
.
I painted mine last weekend! Its a JD LX-6 and it was starting to rust (again) on top. So I wire brushed it (with a drill), primed it and painted it JD green again. I do like for it to look good, but, it lives outdoors 24/7/365 so the paint at least helps it not to tutn into a rust bucket.
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