Will it Mow Trees? Subcompact Tractor, King Kutter Rotary Cutter Tackle Huge Yard

New homeowners, Jonathon and Lexy, have an overgrown backyard with tall grass and trees. Tim uses Johnny, our John Deere 1025R sub compact tractor and a 4 foot King Kutter rotary cutter to clear this area. Is it too big to handle?
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[@timkd5vmv583]

You gave Johnny a workout for sure. As usual a great job by all and very entertaining!!

[@russse2793]

That is a nice looking property. This was very interesting to watch, and couldn't believe how well your tractor handled that overgrown lot. It did pretty darn well. Thank you for sharing, and God Bless from Phoenix.

[@garycorrick]

Just saw this video for the first time. We moved in to a property in August 2019 that had two pastures that looked exactly like what you were mowing. When I entered one end of a pasture, the weeds were so high I couldn’t see anything around me but weeds. I have a used Kubota L3130 so I was sitting a bit higher than your Johnny. Great video. Thanks.

[@isidoug]

Think I have you beat for once! I just moved to a family owned 40 acres that has not been touched in 30+ years. Reclaiming it from trees and autumn olive bushes with my 1025R! Tooth bar is really awesome

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Now THAT sounds like fun. Can we join you? :-)

[@isidoug]

Tractor Time with Tim Love to have you! Lots of hills to make it even more fun.

[@j.hankinson7803]

You continue to demonstrate the terrific capabilities of these little tractors. Thanks. My 3038E will be getting a similar workout soon!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Big job -- little tractor ..no problem. You can do it but it takes time and patience!!! Those sub-compact tractors are beasts!!!

[@stevepaskin2863]

Thank you for this We have a similar setup with our 2025r with the same type of brush-hog and similar brush. I've been a bit afraid to tackle it but now I see it can be done. Thank you

[@bobcatsmith246]

Tim I like your channel. You can use the brush cuter in reverse, years ago when I had to cut my field I had overheating problems when driver forward, so I mowed the field in reverse. Try it next time.

[@burningdinosaurs]

Well, that was pretty impressive for little Johnny! Looks like a fun, but time-consuming job but should end up really nice after! Thanks for the video!

[@f.davidbush9093]

You always amaze me what you get out of Johnny. Always a pleasure watching a man and his tractor working Thanks

[@bobblack3870]

Enjoyable video. Nice to have you show that compact tractors can tackle larger jobs. Hopefully it is only occasionally and not a steady diet, otherwise as you mention, something larger would be more appropriate. I was surprised that you did not mention mowing backwards for trees that are either at or over the claimed capacity of the mower. I have a mower just like yours, but it is old enough that I am not afraid to be VERY aggressive with it. I have learned that I can back up so the rear "opening" in the skirt is where the tree goes. Then when the blades start to hit the trunk, the wood is bent and stressed and it actually slices through surprisingly easily. When the tree falls, backing over the limbs will shred them so only the trunk is left. I've even shredded 3" trunks. The tractor is only 23 hp and the mower is still ready for more!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Bob, We had a neighbor nearly killed by mowing backwards with a 3 point hitch mower. He ran over some wire, and it shot through the seat, and all the way through his chest. I am not a fan of mowing backwards....even though it is OBVIOUSLY more effective. I do it sometimes, but I try to limit it. Folks often accuse me of not being safety conscious. In this case, I'm a "Safety Sally" I guess.

[@bobblack3870]

Tim, sorry to hear about the injury. There must be more to what happened, for with 20 years of experience mowing backwards with tractors from 23 to 130 hp (batwing), the only thing I have experienced is a mower that winds up wire around the blades. Sometimes pieces of "things", including wire (rare), exit but they stay within 6" of the ground because the deck keeps it that way. If one wants to be really safe when mowing in "unknown" areas, forwards or backwards, most mowers can mount safety chains across the front, similar to those Christmas light icicles hanging on eves.

[@dsdda4]

Thank you guys for always sharing the Word of God with your audience

[@OhioHillTopsHobbyFarm]

Great video! I really enjoy watching you work that JD. It’s amazing the capability of the smaller compacts, they can get a lot done sometimes just take a bit longer. Take care!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it takes persistence, but we can almost always getter done.

[@Chris-jh3tg]

Looks like fun. I can't wait to use my new rotary mower on my field.

[@doncroddy7856]

That was some mowing job! My tractor is 29 hp, and I'm not sure I would have tackled that job. However! Looks like you did a respectable job for what you were dealing with. I have a Walco/Douglas 6 foot finish mower, made in Canada, and I would never try that with it. It is a very heavy duty mower, for what it is used for. Rear discharge, makes it nice. Keep those video's coming.

[@shanemccarter9055]

Thanks for the post. I realized I need a tooth bar on my bucket and I like that one.

[@alangoodman3106]

Hey Tim it has been my experience that if you go in a clockwise direction when mowing with a brushog that your cut quality will be improved considerably due to the rotation of the mower and the way that the brush lays over . Hope this helps as it can save you from having to remow duo to stragglers left where the tires mashed it down. I really enjoy your videos keep them coming.

[@chrismalchoff7552]

Yes, but some odd mowers run counterclockwise

[@davidvincent3010]

Looks like fun to me ! Property looks nice after you knocked down that brush and grass.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Great video, Tim & Christi. Now that was a monumental task to tackle but you're doing a fine job with the tractor. Tim, in a different video you mentioned you did some special work on your 3 pt hitch to make it lift higher. I'd like to learn how you did that. I'll go back to your last video and see if you referenced the video where you improved the lifting ability of your 3 point hitch. Thumbs up and have a great weekend.

[@nashguy207]

I would say johnny is far from a toy after seeing a lot of the jobs I have seen johnny and Tim tackle. Tim Its not just your tractor I haven't found a mower or bush hog, cutter that will cut high stuff be it grass weeds or brush like you were mowing here that will get it all cut the first time with some of it laying down I agree in situations like that to get a perfect job it needs to be cut then wait about a week or two and come back and cut it again that's the only way I know to make it look like you or I would want it to look. Don't get me wrong you and Johnny did a great Job on that field it looked great. You and Johnny always do a great Job. By the way how is Christy's foot doing now? Have a great weekend. God Bless!!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Her foot is better. She doesn’t hobble around nearly as visibly! ;-). However, it is definitely not ‘normal’.

[@Kryten428]

Here I am again, watching someone else bush hogging when I should be out doing my own.

[@guyzoo440]

same for me lol

[@reelfunnyfishing651]

Kryten428 same here!

[@workinmatt7847]

Kryten428 lol. Funny thing right.

[@electricitysucks5]

Me 3

[@jvogel67]

I have a 3320 tractor and a 6' mower like yours. When it's really tall I go backwards so the tractor doesn't flatten it out. Works really well mowing in reverse.

[@hphillips7425]

I agree with you cutting in reverse I have a lower horsepower tractor than Tim and a 4'rotary cutter that cuts much cleaner and the tractor and myself stay cleaner also

[@endutubecensorship]

What are the precautions of driving over the 0.5" to 1.5" stumps after brush hogging? Stay away from them or will the tires handle it?

[@chrismalchoff7552]

Mow low. Industrial tires will handle it, ag tires- no.

[@dancrafton89]

Little tractor done a good job, God bless you keep up the good work.

[@Malakie]

I should do a video of the light mod I did to my unit using LED' lights. I have no problems at night finishing up something that took longer than expected now at our place. I spent about $150 for some nice LED light units. I added two that are wide beam, one on each side to push light to the front and sides of the unit as I move, two tight beam mounted on the light protectors that push 'high beams' out in front of the tractor and and then two rear wide beam (same model as the two side beam forward pointed) that are set to show me the entire three point out about 30 feet to the sides and behind the tractor.. All sets are on independent switches.. Since I did not have them this last winter, I realized quickly, I needed a lot more light for night work. This summer they also came in more handy than I thought I would have use for when mowing or other work took me past sun down.. This winter, they should really be nice for plowing and move heavy Wisconsin snow. The way I set them up, the built in front lights I don't even have to turn on especially with the bucket or plow mounted and in a position to block them anyhow.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I have plenty of lights. That kind of misses the point here. It was 10pm before I left, after 11pm before I got home, then unload, shower, and settle down to sleep....so that I can go to the ‘real job’ the next day. ....oh then to the next job that next eve!

[@Bsetzd]

Man if I lived close to you guys I would have loved to bring my M7040 Kubota out with the batwing mower. She would got that done in no time.

[@michaelmactavish1728]

yeah we sold 20,000 of the m series this year from 85.5hp up to 125hp for $49,101 plus 1,500 and 2,500 off impellements

[@patroberson2592]

This was quite a job for Johnny but he came thru! Good video.

[@nickraes3483]

Great video. Now I know that my compact tractor will do the work I need it to with the right attachment

[@ibjeterhere]

I was mowing an identical field with my tractor & a tree or something grabbed my grill off the front and it went through the Brush Hog, never did fit real good after that :(

[@jonathankerner2094]

how do you know there aren't rocks or other blade busting stuff hidden in the brush? Do you ride with the bucket at height so that would reveal it or maybe scoop it?

[@peterkober6758]

Tim Christi what some work for Jonny but with your skills the job gets done I would problem be taking Jonny back to the shop for repairs God Bless PaK

[@davidfortenberry1563]

I appreciate the verse of scripture at the end of your videos. Thank you for that

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching, David! We add a Bible verse to each of our videos now. Christy puts significant effort into choosing an appropriate verse. Welcome to our channel!

[@iDONTdoFacebook]

Amen to that!

[@joelnickerson6739]

Awesome job Tim. I don't have a brush hog and really don't need one but I do now my lawn and I do a lot of sneezing. With that tall of stuff to mow I would have to take something. You did good my friend. I'll have to send you a picture of my John Deere.

[@UncleStevesWorkshop]

My man is out here driving the drone AND the tractor like a champ

[@michaelparker9886]

I have a ck2610 gear drive I run a 6 ft cutter have no issues or difficulty with gear drive tractor I grew up with an old ford but loved the vid shows what under 26 hp can do 😁

[@APBT-Bandog]

WOW...I cannot believe that little tractor cut that so well...it really man handled that stuff great. Did you speed up the footage at all, or was it actual speed?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Actual speed.

[@APBT-Bandog]

@@TractorTimewithTim little beast

[@phill903]

Johnny had his hands full with this job !!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

He got er done!

[@trcass1]

great video. it did a great job. slow and steady will get the job done. i have to modify my everything attachments 48 in cutter so the top link on my quick hitch can grab it. the top bar swivels/moves. i hate putting it on the 3 pt hitch every time.

[@snh1021831]

Great job. I have a jd 4066r with a 6ft bush hog that would have mowed that down as fast as you could drive it. The cab keeps my allergies at bay😁

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, you could probably handle a 10’ mower with that rig. Check out the new 10’ Rhino bat wing. It is rated down to 35 PTO hp!

[@snh1021831]

Your right. I'm looking at a 12ft woods batwing for mowing heavy grass. My bush hog is a 70's model that is an absolute battle axe behind that tractor. I can't remember the model. Picked it up from an old retired farmer. Combined with the front bucket I have found if you can knock it down and take your time it will chew it up no problem

[@kevinstewart4806]

Hey Tim you need to try out and look at the it's called a brown industrial mower

[@thersaholycow]

Ive never seen someone brush hog as fast as you go! WOW! lol The slower you go the better it will look.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I think it is not as fast as it looks due to the small tractor size. I go about 3mph maybe 3.5.

[@thersaholycow]

That stuff is so thick I would be doing half that. I can creep with my hydrostat and lock it in on the cruise control. Does Johnny have cruise control? I don't think I've ever heard you mention it.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I have cruise control...don’t use it often.

[@robertproteau4113]

With every video you post, I am more impressed with Johny . Thanks for another great video.

[@justinwright6611]

Robert Proteau totally agree! One can debate all day if Johnny is the “right” tool for the job but the bigger point is about what it can do as part of a range of tasks. Clearly if Tim was mowing that kind of stuff everyday he’d have a bigger tractor but he does such a wide range of work with a single machine.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Justin, you get it!! Thanks for the comment!

[@lodprice2343]

You got her done. It looks a lot better.

[@southlakelife]

Tim, did that pivot gismo on the top link of the Bush Hog come with it? I have an older Howe and it has the blasted slots cut in where you would attach your top link. The problem with that system is that it is hard on your top pin and you often end up losing it or find the clip in your tire. It forces me to use a large bolt and torque it down which does not let my Hog "ride" the ground like it should. This is a real pain when mowing around my pond.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, the pivot gizmo cane with this mower. I would recommend you trade your mower. You need this flex. These mowers are inexpensive. Just get one that works properly!

[@johanbos160]

Good video tim ,and Johnny dit a great job. Only 25 hp and all the big trees are gone 👍

[@RDJim]

Is there a front mounted brush hog for the 1025R?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

No. Sorry.

[@ericrice4156]

Good job Tim, I have a BX 2670 with a 4 foot brush hog and also at this time doing the same as you BUT add in the PA mountains, it is a task but we will prevail!!!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. Easier if you can take your time...I’m always in a hurry it seems due to these being custom jobs

[@KevinBenecke]

You should make a short night video so we can see how much light the headlights put out.

[@thersaholycow]

One thing Ive seen on industrial equipment I really wish they would put on farm equipment is a temp sensitive fan that reverses! Whenever the equipment started to heat up from debris over the screen in front of the radiator, the electric radiator fan reverses and blows all the debris off.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes. Agree!

[@TDC_Dragon]

Hello Tim, I'm looking for wisdom. I have a Frontier RC 2048 Rotary Cutter for my 1025R. It is only two years old and I only used it rarely. The blades on the RC 2048 are completely blunt with severe gouges in the blades. I had to mow areas with lots of rock that had never been mowed before. The blades appear to have been made from mild soft steel. I want to replace the blades with high quality hardened steel like I did with the belly mower but I don't see an option for that so far. Any advice on high quality hardened steel replacement blades?

[@clayboist]

Curious if you ended up cutting it twice or not.. tn55 with a 5 footer would have done the job. But still probably needed gone over twice in the rough spots.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Some spots I hit twice, but ran out of time.

[@UncleStevesWorkshop]

"Well you guys go ahead and talk, I'm gonna go mow down some trees" boss 😂

[@genelewis4074]

You keep working on her. You may be able to review that Case IH 40C or even a 75C. A cab would be sweet when it is cold or hot and you are in Indiana.

[@maxfarmer7436]

Do you run guards front and back on your cutter just bought 4 foot for new smaller tractor had then on 5 foot cutter didn’t know if I should put on this new bush cutter? Thanks for all your video you and they are a gift! Keep up great work!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I do run guards. One of my 4’ cutters has chains. The other a rubber guard on the front.

[@lanceharsh7025]

Beautiful property. To bad the light faded🤠

[@travisricks3436]

How do you like the King Kutter? I think they are good rotary cutters for the money.

[@RichardGilbert2727]

Tim, what oil weight do you use for working a little tractor that hard? When I lived in Indiana, an old man with a little tractor did rototilling and bushhogging and told me he used straight 50 weight!

[@johngrober6244]

Nice weather ,good job Tim 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️💕💕💕💕

[@carm29231]

Great job! As always!

[@alanqueen190]

Thanks for the word.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@Kirkbdavis]

What is the preferred follow up to deal with the matted grass and trees on a project like this? Would a mid mower or a rake on the 3 point hitch work? Enjoy the videos.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Most of the grass will dry up and disappear. Mowing again with this same mower a couple weeks later will get rid of the rest

[@Nf6xNet]

Wow! Two veterinarians! Lovely property, and I hope they will be able to get a nice tractor before long.

[@circlepfarm9729]

Mark's Tech Channel I hope they can get a nice tractor also, but Veterinary folks are so busy...would they have time to use it and maintain it?

[@Nf6xNet]

That's a good point! But I think that horse folks living on acreage would have use for it, even if they need to hire out maintenance tasks. All the more reason to pick their tractor color based on what dealers are nearby and offer good after-sales service.

[@garywaxler5537]

prime hay ground there once it's mowed off. 👍

[@RockingCHomestead]

That is some tall grass and bushes!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Yes, the trees were pretty serious.

[@sixosixo]

A cab would have been nice also, with all the grass cuttings. Yep, 40-50 hp tractor with a cab. Hey Santa, ya listening?

[@small-timegarden]

You can probably drive in reverse? I only have a bcs two-wheeled. Enjoyed the video. The Lord bless and keep

[@benjaminstockton3917]

Good job Tim Johnny did a good job for a smaller tractor

[@PaulHariuPowell]

Hey, Tim. Thanks for all your great videos. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a 1025R (PTO 18HP) and I with need a rotary cutter as well. What's the model number of the King Kutter rotary cutter you're using here? The lightest duty rotary cutter on their website is showing that it needs a HP of 40. Thanks again

[@TractorTimewithTim]

This is a 4’

[@RichardGilbert2727]

Paul, that's the rating of the gearbox. So presumably a tractor up to 40 hp would be fine using that mower. He is using the basic and basically only KK 4' rotary cutter.

[@fralin1966]

great Video !

[@chadtimothy468]

Now use a flail mower with hammer blades. I will look like a lawn!

[@mcinkyt]

So, what would those 1.5'' tree stalks do to your tires? Any concerns about punctures?

[@jaxturner7288]

mcinkyt live wood is soft and won’t damage tires rated for off road use, dead and dried wood can be hard enough to damage the sidewalls, if your unlucky enough to turn into it. Plus off road equipment has way lower ground pressure PSI than most people think. He could run over your foot and you might scream but you wouldn’t cry and could just walk it off.

[@raulhogland7309]

Get Bugz screen safety glasses. They are great for dust and no fogging! Get them on amazon

[@leehilton9932]

That ripper bar looked like it was helpin too. Got to love those allergies.

[@compacttractortv5074]

Johnny handled tht quiet well

[@treylem3]

I've got a JD2305 and wondering if it will power a 5 ft rotary cutter. Thanks for a your great vids, and of course the scriptures, as always. Thank you

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Not very well. I would recommend 4'

[@treylem3]

@@TractorTimewithTim Thanks Tim

[@dam4274]

Believe it or not but I used to cut a piece of land similar to that with a Snapper 12hp riding mower! Wore out the spindle on it. Surely need one like this to cut it with.

[@vc8160]

Where’s your ventrac with the tough cut?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Didn’t have it yet then.

[@EronIler]

Do you ever mow at night? Some tractors have lots of lights. Not good for videos but it might save coming back.

[@tomklepper707]

I have a small farm and i have a patch 15ft by 15ft that is over grown and i do not want my lawn mower to do it i want a compact tractor and a bush hog to mow it. I may be digging trenchesto the barn for lights and water what size of tractor should i be looking at a 1025

[@kingsqueak2221]

Impressive a tractor that size handled it, pretty neat.

[@wsumac]

What's the next step in preparing this property for grass? Tilling? Thank you!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I suspect this owner just continued mowing it with ibis finish mower. grass will take over eventually. Could also overseed it occasionally.

[@brentagade]

Do you think a flail mower or sickle bar would have made a difference?

[@chaseself9151]

Tim I’m looking at buying a bush Hog for my 1023e. I want it to run well. I do not want an XB version of one since I want to use a quick hitch. I’ve drown myself in brands and am overwhelmed. During the holiday sales I almost pulled the trigger on a king kutter 4ft from RK. What do you think with my set up?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

King kutter works fine. Make sure you get the nicer one with ‘floating top link’ like mine has.

[@chaseself9151]

Thank you Tim.

[@chrismalchoff7552]

General rule. 5hp for each foot of mower. A bit less for hydro.

[@truckinchihuahuaalvieschre2494]

At least you never found a car rim like I did the last time I was brush hogging on someone else's property. Luckily it didn't break anything but it did Slide the tractor sideways before it killed it

[@Kryten428]

Alvie - A few years ago my county rebuilt the road in front of my house and while they where working the phone lines were just draped over my fence posts. When they finished with the road the phone company came by and buried the phone lines and they had to cut a bunch of it off, which they left in a pile just outside my fence line. I found it with my bush hog and spent the next 3 hours trying to unwrap about 20 feet of phone line from around the spindle.

[@truckinchihuahuaalvieschre2494]

Kryten428 ouch!

[@cervinkafamily379]

What happens if there are rocks in the brush?

[@truckinchihuahuaalvieschre2494]

What size brush cutter is that? Mine is a 4 foot which just does cover behind the tractor. And it works great. I kind of thought you was going a little fast there in a couple of spots but it looks like Johnny did a good job.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

It looks fast, but not nearly as fast as it looks due to the small tractor size.

[@powderriver2424]

I’ll bet that Case skid steer with a front cutter would have really done the trick in that situation. The traditional method still works and as was mentioned that the people who think subcompact tractors aren’t enough, well what about an old Ferguson or Ford 2N-9N etc Johnny has more power I hogged fields like that with those older tractors I think many people talk a lot without knowing anything.

[@huntercountz5617]

Powder River or a 6r saw one online for 30k and it was canned and everything and yes it was used

[@lorzon]

Exactly, I used to mow a gentleman's property(he eventually started renting it to us for crops) with an old Ford NNA or 600(I don't remember anything but the colors and the fact it ran on propane from a front mounted tank) and we had to stop every hour or so to blow out the trash out of the radiator.

[@johndowe7003]

8n will eat that up for breakfast no sweat. what i like about mine over a subcompact is the weight/torque. it just has more umph than an oversized lawnmower ;)

[@flat4314]

I have similar type of brush I need to chop down the only problem is it's on a 40 degree slope and at the bottom of the hill their a steep dropoff

[@martineastburn3679]

Some of the JD tractors around here mow the 'Bar ditches' along the roadways and freeways. They use 5 large mowers behind each. Each side has a pair of mowers that can lift up to match the wall of the ditch and one could be mowing with only one behind. Those are impressive when you see 3 or 4 mowing large tracts of grass. Farm roads and FM and RM Farm to market and Ranch to Market roads use triples. 'flat bottom and up two walls. Many of the farmers 'adopt' their section of the highway not only for trash pickup but also mowing. I got a tractor to mow greens like that in my back yard. I can get like that over the summer. Rich bottom land into green stuff. Martin

[@martineastburn3679]

OBTW - a Bar ditch is a slang term that cars and trucks would be found in these ditches after a night of party going good ole boys loosing their grip and easing over into the ditch. Sometimes sleeping it off there but mostly walking back home for a tractor.

[@keithstickan6486]

Another nice job Timbo.

[@wheeledjh9052]

Love the videos Tim but as your family says your going too fast haha

[@derekdreke4990]

That actually did surprisingly well for such a small tractor

[@davem5370]

A skidsteer with the bush hog attachment would be a good fit for this one, we talked about that on your case skidsteer video. Johnny did well though!

[@barelystablefarm7151]

The problem is, it’s hard to convince the finance committee to agree on a larger machine when you continuously get er done with Johny! That little machine is like the energizer bunny... it just keeps going and going and going...

[@bobbyscottjr8584]

Hey Tim, have you had any trouble tearing off a power steering hose cutting stuff like that?

[@TractorTimewithTim]

No, I have not. I do have a zip tie holding up one of the hoses.

[@andrewhoggett8148]

didnt think the tractor would mow that very impressed

[@TractorTimewithTim]

I wasn't sure myself!! ...but it ate it right up!

[@scottross7225]

Definately get that case skid steer. This would of been perfect for it. Also with a brush mulcher u can take on even larger jobs than this one with ease.

[@lachonajalisco]

Nice job with nice lil toy 👍🤠

[@mi2tn]

'Nother job done. Thumbs up!