Help me choose a slasher/brush hog

Upset264 said:

Look at the specifications included in the links you provided, they show the hp recommended for each item.

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Yes I've done that, but I was hoping for some personal experiences, rather than just relying on manufacturers claims. I am not even sure when a manufacturer states "tractor range" or "recommended tractor hp", are they referring to the PTO hp?

I have light duty 5 foot bush hog on my 20 hp Allis and a 5 foot heavy woods brush bull on my 3320 JD with 30 plus HP. I probably could handle a 6 footer on the JD because I am only cutting open fields with weeds 90% of the time but the price for a good used one was very good.. I think the big issue is tractor tire width and what you are mowing. Obviously the larger the mower the more efficient the mowing.

billybob said:

Hi all,

About to order a 4044R. Would have liked the 4066R, but it's an extra $20,000 here in Australia.

The 4044R is 42.5HP, and pto HP is 32.5.

Would a 5ft (1.5 metre) slasher be too big for the 4044R? I currently only have 5 acres to mow, but in the future it could be more if I get a bigger property.

I know these may be Australian only models, but I was looking at either a Howard Nugget 150 (weighs 390kg):

Nugget 150 / 180 / 210

www.howard-australia.com.au

Or a:

Kanga S Range 1.5 metre (weighs 300kg)

https://farmimplements.com.au/implement/s-range-rotary-cutter/

Even if you are not familiar with these particular slashers, can anyone comment on the size/compatibility of a 5ft slasher for the 4044R?

Thanks

Billy

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Not familiar with those brands, but if Bush Hog brand is available, I can highly recommend it. I've been pretty hard on mine and it has not missed a lick. I'm currently running a 72" BH316 on my JD-4700 (45-48hp?) tractor. While rated to 3" brush, if the tractor will push it over, and I don't try to feed to fast, the bush hog will mow it.
The 60" BH315 only requires 35hp, so it might be a good option for the tough stuff. Or, if you could live with 2" cutting capacity, I'd rather have the 72" BH216 (requires 30 PTO HP) so the mower would mow the width of my tractor.

My 3039r easily runs a 6’ cutter, your 4044r should have no problem with one. If you are going to be backing over larger brush, its nice to have the brush the extra foot away from the tractor.

Those are some interesting looking cutters, I like the galvanized main body. Are the John Deere or Frontier cutters available there?

billybob said:

Hi all,

About to order a 4044R. Would have liked the 4066R, but it's an extra $20,000 here in Australia.

The 4044R is 42.5HP, and pto HP is 32.5.

Would a 5ft (1.5 metre) slasher be too big for the 4044R? I currently only have 5 acres to mow, but in the future it could be more if I get a bigger property.

I know these may be Australian only models, but I was looking at either a Howard Nugget 150 (weighs 390kg):

Nugget 150 / 180 / 210

www.howard-australia.com.au

Or a:

Kanga S Range 1.5 metre (weighs 300kg)

https://farmimplements.com.au/implement/s-range-rotary-cutter/

Even if you are not familiar with these particular slashers, can anyone comment on the size/compatibility of a 5ft slasher for the 4044R?

Thanks

Billy

Click to expand...

You could run either a 5' or 6' unit on a 4044R without trouble. I ran a 5' unit on a tractor quite a bit smaller than a 4044R and it did fine. The only thing you may need to watch on a 6' unit is if you get a really heavy duty one, it may be too heavy for a 4R. However, the heavy units (1200 pounds/550 kg plus) probably won't fit on your tractor as they are generally category 2 3-point hitch and 4Rs have a category 1 hitch.

I would definitely go with a 1.83m (6') cutter for a 4044R, you can always take a smaller cut if in very heavy, thick brush and grass if necessary. I ran a medium duty 5' cutter with a 26hp B series Kubota (only 20hp at the pto) and power wasn't a problem unless in really long, thick weeds, and even then I just slowed down. The issue was it was just too heavy for that little tractor even with the loader on and bucket full. I'm thinking of getting either a medium duty cutter or flail mower for my 3520 and if I do it'll be a 6' one. The 5' flail I have now is just too inefficient on my tractor.

BTW congratulations on your new 4044R, I'm envious! Post some pics when you get it.