1025R Bush Hog Recommendations

The Frontier 2048 Rotary Cutter works well with the 1025r. I recommend an iMatch hitch or equivalent if you don’t already have one. Rotary cutters can be quite heavy to muscle onto the 3-point without a quick hitch. The 4’ model is as large as I would go. If you don’t have an FEL, you will need some front weights. Enjoy!

Toro66 said:

Hey folks - looking to get a Bush Hog/rotary cutter for my 1025r. I already have the 60d mower deck, but I really need to clear some areas of the property where I think a rotary would be much better. Based on the feedback in other threads I have read, I am leaning towards getting a 4ft model, but haven't completely made up my mind.

Do any of you have any recommendations of a particular brand or model I should look into? Thanks in advance!

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I have the RC2048 and agree that it works great! It’s definitely a little flimsy and it not really made to back into a brush pile. I have bent mine a few times trying to do that. That being said, I still back into areas, just very carefully.

The other thing I’m not super happy with is the limited lift of the tractor. Sometimes it gets hung up in things in really bumpy/hilly/rocky conditions. The 1025R hasn’t gotten stuck, but planning the route has become pretty important. Not a critique of the cutter, but something to think about.

Overall, I’ve done a ton of work so far with it and I’m super happy with it. Plus, it’s a decent price. Would definitely buy again!

John 54 said:

Hi All
A question. Where does the name bush hog come from? In Australia we call them slashers, because of the action of the blades. Bush here is what you probably call forest.
Regards John

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Busy hog is a brand name here for a type of rotary cutter. So popular that everyone just calls all rotary cutters a bush hog. A bush here is a 2-6 foot shrub. 1-2 meters high normaly.

I have a King Kutter 4ft and I would not of wanted anything larger on my 2305. I like the dome top on it,keeps water running off when it’s parked outside. I did add the front and rear chain guards.

it wI’ll clear 4ft to 6ft sumac about 1/2 to 3/4 inches with no problem. I put the loader on and leave the mid deck on and up all of the way. Use the loader to bend stuff over, mid mount prorects underside of tractor and it gets chomped by the King Kutter.

DynamicFlurry said:

It’s definitely a little flimsy and it not really made to back into a brush pile. I have bent mine a few times trying to do that. That being said, I still back into areas, just very carefully.

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Most standard duty bush hogs are a bit "flimsy" for backing into stuff. They are really meant to work going forward. That isn't always possible though.

I cleared the edges of my Dad's & brother's fields that way, backing in. Both of them had older geared tractors and just went forward and the edges were getting pretty overgrown.

What I have found to work best for me when I have to back into pocket areas like this is to raise the cutter a few inches first, then back in. If the area is prone to stumps, logs, etc or you really can't tell what is there, pull back out with the cutter raised. With the weeds cut shorter you can see what might be there on the ground, then back in again with the cutter still raised, lower the cutter and pull back out. If you know the area is just light brush and weeds, back in with the cutter raised, lower it slowly and pull back out. If something starts banging like you found a stump, your hand is on the control lever and you can raise it back up.

I recently forgot to follow my own rule and bent my tailwheel fork when I pushed up against a root.

When you are backing in with the cutter lowered, the geometry of the 3 point hitch acts differently that when you are going forward and it doesn't float as easily. When you come in contact with something while backing, more force is applied to the cutter before the hitch raises or floats.

My cutter has several battle scars because I am a slow learner.


To the OP, Landpride also makes a good cutter.

I have a Taylor Pittsburgh 233 series 4' cutter... works great and its not too heavy (~420 ish punds)...it's made for SCUTs
It's "inexpensive" ($1100 ish... includes the drive line) has the same 40Hp gearbox used on a lot of "economy stuff" and uses common blades. It did come with a stump jumper... which is nice.
I added a slip clutch to mine... I worry about the trans in my 1023e more than the $120 I spent on the clutch.
I did fashion a skid out of a 6" peice of 2.5" angle, and reinforce the rear (short rebar brace), as it's pointy and digs into the ground when backing up if the wheels are set low and theres a bump in the landscape (or you back it into a pile)