I like to make videos as a forum for questions from viewers. This is the first one I've used as a forum for something I'm doing.
The e-mail came from Mac who is thinking about purchasing a sub-compact tractor. He wants to get a brush hog that's wider than the 4' tread width, so he's looking at a 5' cutter. The brochure says the cutter requires 20 PTO horsepower, the tractor he's looking at only puts out 18 hp. His question is, "Is that close enough?"
I'm in the same boat. I'm bidding on a Bush Hog SQ84T twin gearbox cutter in western Kansas. It would take up less space in the barn, and because it is offset, would help me cut closer to fences and under trees. Problem is, it requires 35 horsepower to operate, my tractor has 33.2 PTO horsepower. Will it work?
Mac will be cutting grass on level ground, so I think he'd be fine with the 5' cutter. If he ever acquires property with hills, I would be worried. I can see a problem when running up a hill and lifting the cutter. The front end of the tractor could get a little light and he could lose control. Ballast, like concrete blocks in the bucket, might cure the problem.
I'd be worried about my tractor if I was using the 7' cutter as my primary brush hog. I'd keep the 6' machine to mow in tight areas and in the woods where there are sprouts up to 2" and use the SQ84T on my grassy flat areas and near fences and trees. I think it would be fine.
I always worry about giving advice when I haven't had personal experience with a combination. So, I'm posing our questions to my viewers. Have you had first-hand experience with a cutter that required just a little bit more horsepower than your tractor put out? Did that go well, or not? Please put your experiences, along with specific model numbers, field conditions and results, in the comment section. Mac and I want to know.
POSTSCRIPT: I would have given $500-$600 for the used cutter I discussed in the video. I didn't think it would bring a lot because it was in a pretty remote location where they use all big equipment. I was a little off in my estimation. It sold for $1650. That's about what the dealer paid for it when it was brand new. Someone wanted it a lot more than me!
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