6' finish mower OR 6' brush mower?

[Pete S]

I am beginning to look for a three point hitch mount mower. My tires are just at about 6' wide, and I already have a 6' wide "pull type" mower.

The pull type is a bit cumbersome as our pines are growing and there's not much room, as well I figured it would be a bit more nimble with a three point attachment.

BUT the style of mower I have is a twin blade brush type cutter that could be used for finish cut as it had twin screw adjustments.

I would think I would like the fold back feature with a brush cutter, BUT I like the idea of a several blade system as I think it would cut better in the thick.

The biggest problem I have is that we live in glacier country and have lots of "taters" that pop up,.......and yes I do hit them.

The finish cut seem to all had solid mount blades.

Thoughts? Ideas? (BTW I am cheap so I would probably look for used or more inexpensive new,............nothing near 1500 bones)

[collinsmapleman2012]

look around at auctions for a brush hog at a reasonable price, you can hit things and the blades fold right back, and they recover well as long as you have enoug rpm's. i hit a rock about a foot across and sent it flying, no damage. same thing with a small tree stump, the blades fold back. of course you try not to hit things, but you cant see much in thick brush. they are pretty simple, just make sure to find one where the safety chains are decent (or make new ones), the deck is solid, and check the gearbox before you buy it to make sure its good.
))

[madmapler]

It really depends on the type of cut you want.What Collinsmaple said was all true. I bought a cheap bush hog about ten years ago with the intention of "spending it" on a piece of land we bought that had a lot of juniper covering the rocks. Aside from welding on a few patches and straightening a few things its still going and it has vaporized plenty of "taters". The thing I dont like about them is if your ground is uneven its a real pain to follow the contour. If you're just looking to keep things open though its the tool for the job. Mine is like one of those kingcutters at TSC.

[Dill]

What kind of power are you pulling it with and do you want to be able to take out trees? If brush hog, spend the extra cash and get one with a slip clutch and a stump jumper which allows the blades to go up and over an obstacle instead of just through it. Also be aware a 6ft brush hog of an quality is really quite heavy. My MF 265 gets light in the front end if I don't hang suitcase weights off it when its got the brush hog on.

[motowbrowne]

Have you looked at a flail mower? Nicer cut than a bush hog, more capable than a finish mower. Available used within your price range. Also, they don't fling rocks like a bush hog.

[madmapler]

If brush hog, spend the extra cash and get one with a slip clutch and a stump jumper which allows the blades to go up and over an obstacle instead of just through it.. I'm not opposed to quality but I think even the cheaper ones come with those. I know mine does and I paid a little over $1200 new.

[Pete S]

My little "Bertha" cranks out a whoppin' 36 hp (tested) at the PTO.

[Dill]

No quite a few are shear bolts. And I know a couple guys who got sick of replacing shear bolts so a grade 8 ought to hold better? Right? Oh it seems that the gearbox shears instead.

[madmapler]

No quite a few are shear bolts. And I know a couple guys who got sick of replacing shear bolts so a grade 8 ought to hold better? Right? Oh it seems that the gearbox shears instead. Well at least they saved the tractor!

[Gary R]

Look at a used flail mower. The blades kick back when you hit something. Also if you are doing any turning they work great. They are tight to the rear of the tractor and do not swing wide when turning.