When bush hogging with my L4310D what would be the best RPM setting. The bush hog is 6' wide.
Thanks,
Bowhunter
Thanks,
Bowhunter
Best RPM's for bush hogging
- Thread starter Bowhunter
- Start date
2500-2600 rpm. Change gears to get the right ground speed so that only in the very thickest stuff do you hear the engine loading a few rpm. But that should give you the right speed on the blades for good efficient cutting and though it may seem high the engine actually works less at rated RPM and uses less fuel.
Usually on the tach is a mark that says 540. On mine it is 2600 rpms. This is the correct speed for the rear PTO to run all implements and work at their designed speed.
Welcome to Orange. Once you have had a Orange you cannot go back to any other color.
Welcome to Orange. Once you have had a Orange you cannot go back to any other color.
Agree with the others that whatever tractor RPM gets you 540 RPM at the PTO is the right setting. Your manual should have this information.
Some implements and tractors have different requirements. 1000 RPM is another, but less common, setting. You should check to make sure both the tractor and mower match.
The other thing to note is that, depending on what you are cutting, the size of the mower, and tractor HP, the tractor may bog down and reduce the RPM. I set my throttle a little high to compensate and keep an eye on the RPM as a field is being cut.
Some implements and tractors have different requirements. 1000 RPM is another, but less common, setting. You should check to make sure both the tractor and mower match.
The other thing to note is that, depending on what you are cutting, the size of the mower, and tractor HP, the tractor may bog down and reduce the RPM. I set my throttle a little high to compensate and keep an eye on the RPM as a field is being cut.
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
I use the recommended RPM for 540, my tractors show PTO speed on the dash which is about 2250 for the M8540 and 2600 or so on the 5740. I use the foot throttle on the geared tractor to compensate if it bogs a bit in really heavy stuff or on a steep hill. As mentioned, proper ground speed is important.
I have a L4610HST and run a 6' brush Hog and 2100 works really good for me. Cuts good and even in heavy brush RPM only drop off a bit and come right back up.
I mow the middles of 28 acres of 2 year old pine trees. Grass is not a concern for me, it is everything else that grows up blocking sun from my trees and would quickly make the land inaccessable. 4 years from now the tree tops will close in, blocking most underbrush growth. I will be free of mowing for the next 9 years till harvest at 15 to 17 years.
1400 rpm works perfectly for me. It is a much more sedate and peaceful rpm. As I said, I don't care about grasses that grow and 1400, with little effort, destroys everything that in 2 months grows to eye level height. 540 PTO rpm would certainly pulverize more. The ground is very unlevel, ground speed is also a big limiter for my situation.
I have a 95 M4030SU(40 pto hp) and 5' RhinoSEL. Would like to have a 6 foot but the 5' just will not wear out.
I fashioned an adjustable throttle stop. It is so nice to be able to idle down at row end, turn around, then throttle up to exactly the rpm sweet spot desired.
1400 rpm works perfectly for me. It is a much more sedate and peaceful rpm. As I said, I don't care about grasses that grow and 1400, with little effort, destroys everything that in 2 months grows to eye level height. 540 PTO rpm would certainly pulverize more. The ground is very unlevel, ground speed is also a big limiter for my situation.
I have a 95 M4030SU(40 pto hp) and 5' RhinoSEL. Would like to have a 6 foot but the 5' just will not wear out.
I fashioned an adjustable throttle stop. It is so nice to be able to idle down at row end, turn around, then throttle up to exactly the rpm sweet spot desired.
Ray, I'm the same, I like 1400 rpm for our old L3750, 45hp. But it has a two speed pto and I run it in the 750 range.
1800-2200 works best for me with the newer L3800.
1800-2200 works best for me with the newer L3800.
urednecku
New member
Equipment
Kubota M7040, MF165, green hay equipment, & other old misc. equipment
I use a M7040 with a little 6' bushog. (Want an 8 - 10footer, but haven't found one for that reasonable price yet).
I have found @ around 500 rpm on the mower (I think that's around 2k on the engine) it does just as good a job, on a lot less fuel. If I'm in thick or tough stuff I'll power up to get thru.
Bottom line, I watch what kind of job the mower is doing, and run as low a rpm that will do a satisfactory job, adjusting on the go as needed.
I have found @ around 500 rpm on the mower (I think that's around 2k on the engine) it does just as good a job, on a lot less fuel. If I'm in thick or tough stuff I'll power up to get thru.
Bottom line, I watch what kind of job the mower is doing, and run as low a rpm that will do a satisfactory job, adjusting on the go as needed.
MY BX22 doesn't have a tachometer. Is there any tips on lever position that equates to around 500RPM at the PTO without buying a tach?
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
It's not really a big deal on them, when we were using our BX2200 for mowing, we just put it wide open as it is so close to the 540 as to be insignificant. If you want to back down, I would try about a half inch off wide open and try that. I wish I had seen this earlier as we moved our BX2200 last night anc I could have checked to be sure.
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
It will mow at that speed, but we get a lot better cut and dispersion at the higher RPM. Our BX2660 has a 540 RPM of 3035 or something like that, these little things are high revers if you are use to the bigger tractors.
On my L3830 I run 2100-2300 RPM when mowing with my 72" bush hog. It does a great job at that speed
In general, tractors should be run at full throttle for heavy load operations such as mowing or plowing. If the RPM is pulled below the 540 mark, you are over loading the engine and ground speed should be reduced.
Mowers are designed with blade speed (feet/sec) considered and a 540 mower should be operated at full throttle.
For maximum power, run at full throttle and don't pull RPM below 540.
Mowers are designed with blade speed (feet/sec) considered and a 540 mower should be operated at full throttle.
For maximum power, run at full throttle and don't pull RPM below 540.