Woods BB60 vs. Bush Hog SQ600

HD Labs · Aug 23, 2006

I have read all of the posts on this subject but still want some more advice and or personal experiences....I am comparing and trying to decide between the Woods BrushBull60 and the Bush Hog SQ600. All of the specs seem to be the same as far as metal thickness, laminated tire, etc. I will be using a Massey 240 and a Ford 8n on occaision to do what I would call normal bush hogging. Mow grass and several places that I'm clearing for pasture that have some small sapplings and some rocks. The Sq600 comes with the slip clutch and is priced at about $1000 but I would have to drive about 60 miles to get it. The Woods is about $1300 and is right here in town and could probably have it delivered. I have heard the Squealer is the light duty version and the Woods standard version is more like the medium duty version of the bush hog and that Woods would last me longer. Any advice or personal experiences to ease my decision would be of great importance. Thanks.

IslandTractor · Aug 23, 2006

I cannot compare the two you are considering but I own a 48" Squealer and have zero complaints about quality of construction etc. It will last many many years so I don't see the need for anything heavier unless you are doing professional land clearing routinely.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 23, 2006

I sell both. As a whole, I do think the Woods pieces are built a bit heavier than the Bush Hog. One big thing with the cutters is that Woods has a deck that does not collect water. If you leave them sit outside these area's will rust though with time. BushHog does have some cheaper units, thats why we carry them.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 23, 2006

HD Labs said:
I have read all of the posts on this subject but still want some more advice and or personal experiences....I am comparing and trying to decide between the Woods BrushBull60 and the Bush Hog SQ600. All of the specs seem to be the same as far as metal thickness, laminated tire, etc. I will be using a Massey 240 and a Ford 8n on occaision to do what I would call normal bush hogging. Mow grass and several places that I'm clearing for pasture that have some small sapplings and some rocks. The Sq600 comes with the slip clutch and is priced at about $1000 but I would have to drive about 60 miles to get it. The Woods is about $1300 and is right here in town and could probably have it delivered. I have heard the Squealer is the light duty version and the Woods standard version is more like the medium duty version of the bush hog and that Woods would last me longer. Any advice or personal experiences to ease my decision would be of great importance. Thanks.

BB60 is a standard duty mower.

SQ600 is standard duty.

Woods MEDIUM duty would be BB600.

I know people that have used both brands for mowing far heavier brush than specs recommend. No negative results yet.

I've owned several of both brands. (Medium duty though/ BB720,BB840 and Bush Hog 286 in recent years)

Both are top quality mowers. I did have an issue with one Woods mower on bad paint. It peeled off in sheets with-in a few weeks of delivery.

I like the cut with my current Bush Hog more than with the Woods. (Woods seemed to leave uncut grass/weeds in tire tracks, where Bush Hog doesn't, even on same tractor)

Either would be a good choice. IMHO, I prefer the Bush Hog, but only by the slimmest of margins.

LeadPoison · Aug 23, 2006

A Woods standard duty is rated at 1.5" cutting capacity.

A Bush Hog Squealer 600 is rated at 1".

HD Labs · Aug 23, 2006

I appreciate all of the feedback so far. I have almost concluded that they are of equal quality for the uses that I will have for it. I guess now it just depends on the money and future service issue. The dealer from which I have been talking to for the Woods is within 15 min from house and work. The Bush Hog Dealer is over an hour away. That might be worth the price difference in the future for service and parts, etc. Hopefully, neither will be necessary any time in the near future.
I'm trying to build up my implements and my mini farm in order to have some pasture to raise a few head of cattle for some extra money/hobby. The hay equipment will have to be purchased used for sure but hated to buy a used cutter and then have to work on it, etc.
Thanks again. Look forward to some more posts on the comparison.

HD Labs · Aug 24, 2006

Does anybody have any feelings regarding sheer bolt and slip clutch? I am worried that slip clutch may freeze up and do me no good when it is needed most, but then again I hate to have to replace shear bolts every time I try to hog some rough cut stuff.

Farmwithjunk · Aug 24, 2006

HD Labs said:
Does anybody have any feelings regarding sheer bolt and slip clutch? I am worried that slip clutch may freeze up and do me no good when it is needed most, but then again I hate to have to replace shear bolts every time I try to hog some rough cut stuff.

All you need to do is an occasional service/inspection on the slip clutch and they WORK. Shear bolts can and will drive you off the deep end if you're around anything to make them shear. I can't count the number of times I've seen where people get frustrated with shear bolts, then install a grade 8 bolt. Then they start looking for a NEW mower. (and a place to scrap their old one.)

If I was on a tight budget, and was mowing ONLY clean fields, and had a relatively low horsepower tractor, I MIGHT be persuaded to try a shear bolt. Or maybe not....

CDsdad · Aug 24, 2006

No experience with Woods, but I have a SQ600. Unless I was cutting roadsides or overgrown cutovers with big stumps, I'll never need anything heavier than it and I have about 20 acres of pine timber I use it in.

Slip clutch maintenance is no big deal, they tell you how to check it and adjust it, took me less than 10 minutes first time I did it.

Woods equipment is good from everything I hear. I guess it's whatever you prefer or want to pay.

And I have cut bigger than 1" with the SQ600, but it is rated for 1".

fisheerman · Aug 25, 2006

Ive been using the Bush Hog SQ720 for a few months now on my Bota L4330without any complaints. I have put it thru some serious workouts with clearing some timber land with heavy underbrush as well as heavy field hogging. Haven't had any problems so far. I was in the exact same boat you were in, just reversed. The Hog dealer was closer and the Woods dealer was farther away. Luckily the closer unit was cheaper so i ended up with the Hog.

As far as I could tell and having friends with both units you will be happy with either...........

fish