Brush Hog Advice

a1parrothead

New member

Equipment
B7100
Jul 21, 2017
8
0
0
Hermiston, Oregon
Hello everyone,

New to small tractor ownership. I have a 1980's B7100. I just bought a 4' brush hog for it.

I did not do much research before buying it, and am now reading about horse power and such from my PTO. Tractor data says that my PTO has a "stated" 13hp PTO.

My question is that I am now seeing that some 4' hogs require up to 45hp. I thought I would be fine simply because it was a 4' and not larger. I do not have any specifics on my hog because I have not picked it up yet.

Will my tractor run it? I am picking it up soon and guess I can just hook it up and see. Any advice? I don't want to damage my tractor or PTO.

Any recommendations on RPM's and such? My B7100 is an HST.
Any input would be great!
Thanks, Jeff
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,082
4,439
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
You'll be fine. What do you intend to mow on a regular basis? If the growth is 4' tall go through it slow first time, then the second time if your tractor struggles you don't have to mow a 4' swath. Cut the width you tractor can handle.

The most important thing probably is to keep the radiator clean so your engine does not overheat. Tall grass/weeds require more frequent attention.
 

a1parrothead

New member

Equipment
B7100
Jul 21, 2017
8
0
0
Hermiston, Oregon
I will be mowing a flat 10 acre pasture of cheat grass. Wi ll just mow it before it gets too tall.

But... how can I control the width of the swath I mow? I can see going over it a few times to get it shorter, but how do I control the width?
 

Russell King

Well-known member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
4,718
1,016
113
Austin, Texas
You might be seeing the max HP rating of the gearbox on the mower.
I run a 4 ft on a L185 that has only 15 Hp on the PTO (if I recall correctly). It does fine


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

helomech

New member
Apr 15, 2011
527
0
0
East Texas
I will be mowing a flat 10 acre pasture of cheat grass. Wi ll just mow it before it gets too tall.

But... how can I control the width of the swath I mow? I can see going over it a few times to get it shorter, but how do I control the width?
Just put the line you cut in the middle of your tractor. That way you are only cutting grass with half, or 3/4 of the bush hog.
 

bgk

Member
Apr 23, 2017
124
2
16
Accord, ny
Boy I am a quick study! Thought of that after I hit post!:eek:



Thanks for all the advice everybody.


Yup, no different than if your grass got too tall while on vacation. Don't cut the whole width of the deck, just go half. I run a 4 footer on a b2400, 18 horse at the PTO. No issues. I just run it in low gear nice and easy.
 

MikeyA

Member

Equipment
2016 B2650 FEL and 60"mmm,1998 B2400 MMM FEL(sold!) BB 4ft BRUSH HOG
Mar 6, 2010
150
1
18
West Central Illinois
I ran a 4 ft King Kutter behind my B7100 for a couple years. If you get into real thick grass/weeds, you will just have to slow down a little. It will do fine, just don't get in a big hurry.
 

sdk1968

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B2601HSD & CK4010HST 4WD/FEL
Oct 19, 2016
929
35
28
Ohio
had this same question on my old b7200 a while back...

in the manual it says that its rated for a 42" bush hog.

everyone here told me it would do the 48" if ya just go a little slower.. if you do.. you will be just fine.

PS: i got the 42" .... runs it just fine.. & it runs the 59" woods finish mower with no trouble either. think maybe they under rated the PTO's on these a little.