Making a Bush Hog Work on a Bobcat

[MikePhua]

The Development of Bush Hogs and Skid Steers Bush hogs, also called rotary cutters, were first introduced in the mid-20th century as tractor-mounted implements designed to clear brush, tall grass, and small saplings. The name “Bush Hog” comes from one of the earliest manufacturers, which became synonymous with the tool itself. By the 1970s, rotary cutters were widely used in agriculture, landscaping, and municipal maintenance, with sales reaching hundreds of thousands of units annually. Meanwhile, Bobcat pioneered the skid-steer loader in the late 1950s, revolutionizing compact equipment with its maneuverability and versatility. By the 1990s, Bobcat skid steers were sold worldwide, with millions of units in operation, often paired with hydraulic-powered attachments.
The Function of a Bush Hog A bush hog operates by spinning heavy blades horizontally at high speed, powered by a tractor’s PTO (Power Take-Off). Its primary functions include:

• Clearing overgrown fields and pastures.
  
• Cutting brush and small trees up to several inches in diameter.
  
• Maintaining roadside vegetation.
  
• Preparing land for agricultural or construction use.
  

Terminology Explained

• PTO (Power Take-Off): A shaft on tractors that transfers engine power to implements.
  
• Hydraulic Drive: A system using pressurized fluid to power attachments instead of mechanical shafts.
  
• Skid Steer: A compact loader with lift arms, capable of using multiple attachments.
  
• Rotary Cutter: Another term for bush hog, emphasizing its spinning blade design.
  

Challenges of Adapting a Bush Hog to a Bobcat While tractors use PTO shafts to power bush hogs, Bobcat skid steers rely on hydraulic systems. This difference creates several challenges:

• Lack of PTO on skid steers requires hydraulic conversion.
  
• Rotary cutters designed for tractors may not align with skid steer mounting systems.
  
• Hydraulic flow rates must match the cutter’s requirements to avoid underperformance.
  
• Safety concerns arise if the attachment is not properly guarded or balanced.
  

Solutions and Recommendations

• Use a hydraulic-powered rotary cutter specifically designed for skid steers.
  
• Install quick-attach mounting plates to ensure compatibility.
  
• Verify hydraulic flow and pressure specifications before connecting.
  
• Add protective guards to prevent debris from striking the operator.
  
• Consider aftermarket conversion kits that adapt tractor implements for skid steers.
  

Anecdotes from the Field In 2012, a landscaping company in Georgia attempted to adapt a tractor bush hog to a Bobcat skid steer. Initially, performance was poor due to mismatched hydraulic flow. After upgrading to a skid steer-specific rotary cutter, productivity increased by 40%, and operators reported safer, smoother operation. Similarly, a municipal crew in Texas found that using skid steer-mounted cutters allowed them to clear roadside vegetation more efficiently than tractors, thanks to the Bobcat’s maneuverability in tight spaces.
Industry Context and Comparisons Rotary cutters for skid steers compete with flail mowers and mulchers. While flail mowers excel at fine cutting and mulchers handle heavy brush, bush hog-style cutters remain popular for general-purpose clearing. Industry reports suggest that skid steer attachments account for nearly 25% of compact equipment sales, reflecting the growing demand for versatility. Manufacturers such as Bobcat, John Deere, and Kubota now offer hydraulic-powered cutters designed specifically for skid steers, bridging the gap between traditional tractor implements and modern compact loaders.
Conclusion Adapting a bush hog for use on a Bobcat skid steer highlights the evolution of equipment versatility. While traditional tractor-mounted cutters rely on PTO systems, skid steers require hydraulic-powered attachments. With proper conversion, operators can achieve efficient brush clearing while benefiting from the maneuverability of skid steers. The history of bush hogs and Bobcat loaders demonstrates how innovation continues to expand the possibilities of land management and construction equipment.