Pasture Shredding

[Bfields30]

Thinking about pasture shredding as a side business come spring and during the summer. Have a 65hp Jd don't have a shredder yet what would be one that's affordable and best size to get. How much do people normally charge per hr or per acre really interested I am located in east Tx. Suggestions needed.

 

[Texasmark]

Depends on what customer you want to target. 65 hp will run an 8' and if you get a med to heavy (preferred) duty with dual wheels, 2ea 4' cutter blades you can cover good ground rapidly and have a clean cutter. That size will work in a 3 pt nicely and would be my preference since you will be mobile. 8' will travel the roads on it's own or trailered with no width permit problems. I had a Mohawk as I described and more than enough power with a 70 hp JD.

If you have small jobs with a lot of ground variations, you want a small mower or you will have scalping problems. You might look at a conventional riding mower for that sized job.

On my tractor work, being retired, I figure $10-10-10.....me-equipment-fuel per hour and if I am not working at the job, I deduct the dead time. I see signs $40/acre for commercial guys, no mention of travel and all so I don't how they handle that. You have to figure in travel time too. For nearby jobs it's in the pricing. On long ones, on the first ones do it for free and get an idea as to your costs to get to and from the work site and price accordingly. Nothing wrong with pricing the job from your farm and back time, just put yourself in the customer's shoes and treat them accordingly.

 

[Bfields30]

Depends on what customer you want to target. 65 hp will run an 8' and if you get a med to heavy (preferred) duty with dual wheels, 2ea 4' cutter blades you can cover good ground rapidly and have a clean cutter. That size will work in a 3 pt nicely and would be my preference since you will be mobile. 8' will travel the roads on it's own or trailered with no width permit problems. I had a Mohawk as I described and more than enough power with a 70 hp JD.

If you have small jobs with a lot of ground variations, you want a small mower or you will have scalping problems. You might look at a conventional riding mower for that sized job.

On my tractor work, being retired, I figure $10-10-10.....me-equipment-fuel per hour and if I am not working at the job, I deduct the dead time. I see signs $40/acre for commercial guys, no mention of travel and all so I don't how they handle that. You have to figure in travel time too. For nearby jobs it's in the pricing. On long ones, on the first ones do it for free and get an idea as to your costs to get to and from the work site and price accordingly. Nothing wrong with pricing the job from your farm and back time, just put yourself in the customer's shoes and treat them accordingly.

How much do the 8ft mowers run used vs new.

 

[HDRider]

I have this

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1134/hay-and-forage-equipment-rotary-mowers/manufacturer/land-pride/model/rcf3096

 

[Brute 23]

8-10' pull behind

We have an old Ford 5000 that will spin the heavy duty, 10', solid deck, bushhog no problem unless it's really thick brush. Doubt you want to take on jobs like that.

You have to remember there are different levels of shredders out there. Some are for small person use on farms and some are commercial/ heavy duty.

They make some shredders that have just one bat wing on them. I always thought they were interesting because you get the benefits of having the wing out past the tractor, but its keeps the ft down for smaller tractors, and its narrow when it folds up for transporting or going thru gates.

 

[Bfields30]

I have this

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1134/hay-and-forage-equipment-rotary-mowers/manufacturer/land-pride/model/rcf3096

How much do you like it and what size tractor do you need to run it

 

[HDRider]

I have this

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1134/hay-and-forage-equipment-rotary-mowers/manufacturer/land-pride/model/rcf3096

How much do you like it and what size tractor do you need to run it

I am very satisfied.

Their site https://www.landpride.com/products/363/rcf3096-series-rotary-cutters
says 40-110 HP

 

[sstterry]

My 73 hp (65hp output at the pto) handles a heavy-duty 10' pull behind just fine. There are some things to consider: A bigger pull behind is much faster on large tracts of land. But, they are terrible at trim work, mowing around trees fence rows ect. For that, you really need a 3 point mower or on my wish list, the Lane Shark or Titan Trailblazer FEL articulating mower.

*Note, it is important to make sure you size your gearbox correctly to your tractor.

 

[snoopdog]

I would look for a 10 ft drag and a 6ft 3pt. They get 60 an hour here.

 

[Ridgefarmer63]

My 73 hp (65hp output at the pto) handles a heavy-duty 10' pull behind just fine. There are some things to consider: A bigger pull behind is much faster on large tracts of land. But, they are terrible at trim work, mowing around trees fence rows ect. For that, you really need a 3 point mower or on my wish list, the Lane Shark or Titan Trailblazer FEL articulating mower.

*Note, it is important to make sure you size your gearbox correctly to your tractor.

I just bought a Laneshark. Game changer..

 

[Brute 23]

I just bought a Laneshark. Game changer..

I have been eyeing them. I hear a lot of good things but don't know any one with one I can see in person.

 

[Ridgefarmer63]

I have been eyeing them. I hear a lot of good things but don't know any one with one I can see in person.

Picked it up at Whites in central NY. Had to do some creative plumbing, which I am embarrassed to explain but it worked and I've been mowing the last two days. Couldn't be happier. Did under fence lines with the offset. Widened two miles of woods trails. Even accidentally mowed a 1/2" rebar with it, no problem. Takes up to 2" hardwood and 3" pine without too much complaining. I am really glad I made the investment.

 

[EasTex]

If you are looking at big jobs, you might want to consider a 12' batwing. They make them now, that do not require a lot of PTO HP. I'm running a Modern Ag Predator 12 with a NH 75 Workmaster with no problems.

People around here are charging $65-$75 per hour.

 

[Atimm693]

If you are looking at big jobs, you might want to consider a 12' batwing. They make them now, that do not require a lot of PTO HP. I'm running a Modern Ag Predator 12 with a NH 75 Workmaster with no problems.

People around here are charging $65-$75 per hour.

A local outfit here sells a pile of those light duty Ironcraft cutters from 12'-20'. We've got a 12 footer, I think you could pull it easily with a 50hp tractor.

I don't think it would hold up to any real heavy duty type of clearing, but I think it would do just fine for clipping off pastures.

 

[BC]

Check out Modern Ag Products . Go to products and the click on rotary cutters. Good explanation of things to look for. I have a 15 ft Predator that we pull with a 75 hp tractor. These are well built. https://modernagproducts.com/

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

You guys pulling 15' mowers with 75hp must be traveling awfully slow or be in very light material, or both?

I pull my 15' with 125-180hp tractors and in dense material it can make the tractor work. But I also don't travel at a snails pace either.

 

[wbvs58]

Picked it up at Whites in central NY. Had to do some creative plumbing, which I am embarrassed to explain but it worked and I've been mowing the last two days. Couldn't be happier. Did under fence lines with the offset. Widened two miles of woods trails. Even accidentally mowed a 1/2" rebar with it, no problem. Takes up to 2" hardwood and 3" pine without too much complaining. I am really glad I made the investment.

Is this a flail type mower or a bush hog type slasher? Doing those 2-3" trees sounds like the flail type mulchers to me.

Ken

 

[Ridgefarmer63]

Is this a flail type mower or a bush hog type slasher? Doing those 2-3" trees sounds like the flail type mulchers to me.

Ken

It's a bush hog type. It has a flywheel with two blades pinned on the extreme edges of the flywheel. I used it all day today. Awesome little rig.

 

[Ridgefarmer63]

Is this a flail type mower or a bush hog type slasher? Doing those 2-3" trees sounds like the flail type mulchers to me.

Ken

To be honest with you Ken, it's in it's wheelhouse at 1" diameter stuff. If you attack a 2" hardwood and take it slow you're gtg. I have a 12 speed tractor and when I get to the tough stuff, I am in 1st gear. The way I look at it, I will use this rig maybe two weeks a year, but It sure beats a weed whacker.

 

[Lucky]

We've got an articulating boom mower for the skidsteer that's similar to the Lane Shark. Thing is handy when you need it but doesn't get used as much as I thought. It has three 10-12" blades mounted on a carrier that's probably 1" thick and 48" around. The mower boom swipes from front mow to 90* side mow and the deck goes from 90* up to maybe -30* down for pool banks or ditches. We mostly use a 72" front mower with the skid. It'll do 2-3" material but doesn't really like it. Our bushhog is a really heavy 15'. Our 100 hp tractor handles it fine but it'll work it. Personally I wouldn't want anything smaller than a 12' flexing for pasture mowing. A 75 hp will handle them just fine.