Bush hog

[Gabe L]

I am in need of a bush hog for my 1972 Ford 1910 tractor, (32hp) I was thinking a 6' bush hog would work what do you guys think? I also wonder what a good brand is that is recommended and is built well that i can get on a budget.
Thanks!

 

[Brown Dirt Cowboy]

32 hp. I believe you would be happier with a 5 footer.

 

[Janicholson]

32 hp. I believe you would be happier with a 5 footer.

True unless the cutting is easy, and blades are sharp. Jim

 

[Richard G.]

32 hp. I believe you would be happier with a 5 footer.

I agree.

 

[J Hamilton]

Like other guys have said, a 5 foot cutter would probably be better suited for your tractor. As far as a brand, Bush Hog, Rhino and Woods (just to name a few) are some good quality brands, but have a higher price tag than others. Unless you are wanting a high end brand name cutter or have very extreme conditions you are mowing where you would need a heavy duty cutter, some of the lesser expensive brands are good too. Especially if you are mostly doing regular maintenance mowing.

 

[Gabe L]

Like other guys have said, a 5 foot cutter would probably be better suited for your tractor. As far as a brand, Bush Hog, Rhino and Woods (just to name a few) are some good quality brands, but have a higher price tag than others. Unless you are wanting a high end brand name cutter or have very extreme conditions you are mowing where you would need a heavy duty cutter, some of the lesser expensive brands are good too. Especially if you are mostly doing regular maintenance mowing.

The cutting would be a heavy cut every once in a while but mostly maintenance.

 

[Gabe L]

32 hp. I believe you would be happier with a 5 footer.

The bush hog that my grandpa bought with the tractor in 72' was a 6 footer which is why i was thinking that, but as you said a 5 foot might be wise

 

[gable]

The cutting would be a heavy cut every once in a while but mostly maintenance.

You got to always make sure the blades are sharp

 

[Gabe L]

You got to always make sure the blades are sharp

oh yes i definitely will

 

[Fritz Maurer]

If you are in a position to get a six footer, do it. I have one on my 434… front end was a little light , but that was all. A Bush Hog 276 is pretty heavy. Like you say, mostly maintenance, not like you need 100% of the horsepower all the time.

The best feature is that you will be able to mow right up against a wall or fence.

 

[Gabe L]

If you are in a position to get a six footer, do it. I have one on my 434… front end was a little light , but that was all. A Bush Hog 276 is pretty heavy. Like you say, mostly maintenance, not like you need 100% of the horsepower all the time.

The best feature is that you will be able to mow right up against a wall or fence.

mine has weight on the front with the loader attacher so that helps

 

[WNYBill]

5 foot and an override clutch for the PTO. Without the clutch the brush hog acts like a flywheel, push in the tractor clutch and the momentum will keep pushing you. NOT A PLEASANT FEELING

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

The big name brands like Bush Hog, Rhino, and Woods, and "on a budget" are mutually exclusive terms unless you can find a real smokin' deal on a used one. Even a cheap County Line / King Kutter 5ft mower will set you back $1700 at Tractor Supply. The big name brands are 2-3-4-5X more depending on what you get.

Looking at a used one? Condition means more than brand. Look for a solid top that doesn't have a "ring of death" pounded into it. Mowers with a lot of time on them will have a circular dent all the way around where the blades have tried to pound their way through the top. I personally avoid mowers like this.

 

[Tony in SD]

I’ve had a Land Pride 7’ on a 48 HP tractor for 25 years. I’m sold on Land Pride because of theor outstanding gear boxes. Some of the things I’ve hit clearing areas, should have destroyed the direct drive gear box. Including hitting a rock so hard it broke 1 of the blades.

 

[jddrawbar]

mine has weight on the front with the loader attacher so that helps

I would look for a 6' and if the cutting gets too heavy, just take a 5' swat. With the loader on the front with wts. , a light front end should not be a problem. Also, I don't hook up the top link unless I need to load it on a trailer. Letting the mower float over the ground works best for me.

 

[russ1]

Yes it will work. 5hp per foot is the recommendation.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

32 should be enough for a 6 foot single blade you will just have to be a bit careful in some spots as you should be regardless and like said above you can always make it smaller I do that with the woods mower that’s a 72 inch on an 18hp John Deere B. Mostly because of the belt slipping so I’d say on a true bush hog one blade you will for the most part want to cover your tire tracks with a 6. If you are using it to mow off an entire hay field of belly high grass you might want to consider something else

 

[Caryc]

I’ve had a Land Pride 7’ on a 48 HP tractor for 25 years. I’m sold on Land Pride because of theor outstanding gear boxes. Some of the things I’ve hit clearing areas, should have destroyed the direct drive gear box. Including hitting a rock so hard it broke 1 of the blades.

That's what stump jumpers are for.

 

[jddrawbar]

That's what stump jumpers are for.

You think stump jumpers will save you from a rock?

 

[Caryc]

You think stump jumpers will save you from a rock?

In a word YES !

Stump jumpers aren't meant to necessarily save the blades on a mower. Below you see the stump jumper I put on my Woods M5 mower. That jumper installs on the bottom of the blade bar and the blades are below that. Since the blades are hinged they will fold back if they contact a rock as you say.

The blade bar is what the stump jumper is made to protect. If you hit a rock that is a direct hit on the blade bar, you can do a lot of damage to your gearbox. The turned up lip on the SJ is what makes the thing jump up over that rock. That stump jumper is made out of very heavy material. If you hit a rock the size of what you are thinking about, your blade bar and gear box is going to be heavily damaged.

I recommend a stump jumper on all rotary mowers.