6 Best Tow Behind Brush Hogs For Large Properties That Reclaim Pasture
Reclaim overgrown fields with a powerful tow-behind brush hog. We review the 6 best models for large properties, focusing on cutting capacity and durability.
There’s nothing quite like looking out at a field choked with thorny briars and 4-foot-tall weeds and knowing you have the right tool to take it all back. A tow-behind brush hog, or rotary cutter, isn’t just a mower; it’s a land-reclaiming beast that turns chaos into manageable pasture. Choosing the right one is the critical first step in transforming that overgrown mess into productive ground.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Reclaiming Overgrown Pasture with a Brush Hog
A brush hog is designed for brute force, not a manicured finish. Its job is to obliterate thick grasses, dense weeds, and even small saplings up to a couple of inches in diameter. The heavy, spinning blades under a thick steel deck make short work of vegetation that would destroy a standard finish mower.
The process of reclaiming a pasture is a marathon, not a sprint. The first pass is always the slowest and roughest, setting the cutting height high to avoid hidden stumps, rocks, or old fence wire. After that initial "knock down," you can come back a few weeks later for a lower cut. This multi-stage approach stresses the unwanted growth and gives the desirable pasture grasses a chance to compete.
Matching a Brush Hog to Your Tractor’s PTO HP
The single most important decision is matching the brush hog to your tractor. This isn’t about engine horsepower; it’s about Power Take-Off (PTO) horsepower, which is the actual power delivered to the implement. An underpowered tractor trying to run too large a cutter is inefficient, dangerous, and hard on the equipment.
A good rule of thumb is to allow about 5 PTO HP per foot of cutter width for general mowing. For a 6-foot cutter, that means you want at least 30 PTO HP. However, if you’re tackling thick, woody material, you’ll want more headroom—closer to 40 or 45 HP for that same 6-foot model. Pushing the limits will stall the blades, strain your tractor’s clutch, and turn a tough job into an impossible one.
King Kutter L-72-40-XB-0: A Reliable All-Rounder
King Kutter has earned its place on countless small farms for a reason: it offers a fantastic balance of performance and value. The 6-foot (72-inch) model is a workhorse, perfectly suited for compact utility tractors in the 35-50 HP range. It’s a no-frills machine that simply gets the job done.
This cutter is a solid standard-duty option. It features a stump jumper, which is a round pan that the blades are attached to, allowing the whole assembly to ride up and over obstacles like rocks and stumps, protecting the gearbox. While it may not have the heavy-duty gearbox of a commercial-grade unit, it’s more than capable of reclaiming a typical overgrown field and handling yearly maintenance without issue.
Woods RC6 Rotary Cutter for Tough, Woody Growth
When your "overgrowth" includes a healthy population of 2-inch saplings and dense, woody brush, you need to step up to a more robust machine. Woods is a premium brand, and their RC-series cutters are built for exactly this kind of punishment. The RC6 is a 6-foot cutter that feels significantly more substantial than standard-duty models.
The difference is in the details: a heavier, deeper deck, a more powerful gearbox, and thicker steel throughout. This isn’t the cutter for someone just maintaining a smooth pasture. This is for the person clearing fencelines, cutting new trails through the woods, or tackling a field that hasn’t been touched in a decade. You pay for this capability, but if your property demands it, the investment prevents broken equipment and frustration.
CountyLine 6-ft Rotary Cutter: A TSC Favorite
For many new property owners, the journey starts at Tractor Supply Co., and the CountyLine rotary cutter is often their first implement. It’s accessible, affordable, and parts are easy to find. For maintaining already-cleared pasture or knocking down seasonal weeds, it performs admirably.
The tradeoff for that accessibility and price is durability. These are typically considered light- to standard-duty cutters. The gearbox might be rated for a lower horsepower, and the deck steel won’t be as thick as a premium brand. If you push it too hard into dense brush or hit a hidden stump, you’re more likely to damage it. It’s a great choice for light work, but it can be outmatched by truly heavy reclamation jobs.
Bush Hog BH216: The Original Heavy-Duty Choice
The term "bush hog" became generic for a reason—the original Bush Hog company set the standard for toughness. The BH216 is a 6-foot, heavy-duty cutter that’s built to last a lifetime. Everything about it is overbuilt, from the continuously welded, reinforced deck to the powerful gearbox.
This is the kind of implement you buy when you have significant acreage and you never want to worry about your cutter again. It requires a more substantial tractor, typically 45 PTO HP or more, just to handle its weight and power demands. It’s overkill for a few acres of grass, but for managing dozens of acres of rough terrain year after year, the Bush Hog’s legendary durability provides serious peace of mind.
Land Pride RCR1872 for General Mowing Tasks
Often sold at Kubota dealerships, Land Pride implements are known for their quality construction and are well-matched to the tractors they’re sold with. The RCR1872 is a 6-foot cutter that sits in a sweet spot between the budget-friendly store brands and the heavy-duty commercial models. It’s a perfect fit for the serious hobby farmer.
This cutter offers a great balance of features, including a sturdy deck, a reliable gearbox, and options like chain guards. It’s fully capable of an initial reclamation cut on moderately overgrown land and excels at ongoing maintenance. For someone with a 35-50 HP tractor who wants a dependable, long-lasting tool without paying the premium for a machine designed for daily commercial abuse, Land Pride is an excellent choice.
Tarter 3-Point Rotary Cutter for Small Acreage
Not every property needs a massive 6-foot cutter. For those with smaller sub-compact or compact tractors under 30 HP, a 4-foot or 5-foot cutter from a brand like Tarter is the right tool for the job. These smaller, lighter implements are easier for the tractor to lift and power, reducing strain on the machine’s hydraulics and PTO.
Choosing a smaller cutter isn’t a compromise; it’s a smart decision based on your equipment. A 4-foot cutter on a 25 HP tractor will outperform a 6-foot cutter that’s bogging the same tractor down. You’ll make more passes to cover the ground, but you’ll be moving faster and cutting more effectively. For 5-15 acres, especially with tight turns or wooded areas, a smaller cutter is often more nimble and productive.
Ultimately, the best brush hog is the one that fits your system. It needs to match your tractor’s power, the cutter’s duty rating needs to match the toughness of your land, and its size needs to match the scale of your property. Choose correctly, and you’ll have a reliable partner in the long but rewarding process of turning your land into the productive pasture you envision.
