Brush Clearing Attachments

Overgrown fence rows and thick brush call for tools that can take a beating. The attachment you pick sets how much you can cut, how long it lasts and how safe the job is.

Key points

Choose the attachment by the size of the brush it is rated for.
Match the cutter to your tractor or loader power and hydraulics.
Walk the area first and remove wire, metal and hidden hazards.
Keep every guard and chain in place and people far away.
Mowing plus good grazing helps keep brush from returning.

What attachments cut brush?

Several types exist, and each fits a certain size of growth. A rotary cutter, often called a brush hog, handles grass, weeds and small saplings. A flail mower shreds finer material and throws fewer large objects. A forestry mulcher chews larger woody stems. Grapples, grubbers and root rakes remove brush by pulling and piling rather than cutting.

Match the attachment to the stem size the manufacturer rates it for, and to the power of your machine.

A 30-acre pasture with scattered thorny brush and a few cedars can often be handled by a PTO cutter and patience. A fence line choked with vines and saplings may call for a grubber or a loader-mounted cutter that reaches into tight spots.

Rotary cutter for pasture, light brush and saplings
Flail mower for finer cutting and cleaner finish
Mulching head for larger woody growth
Brush grubber or root rake for pulling and piling
Grapple for moving cut brush

How do tractors and skid steers differ for brush work?

A tractor with a PTO-driven cutter can cover large areas of pasture efficiently. PTO speeds are commonly 540 and 1000 rpm, so match the cutter to what your tractor delivers. A skid steer or compact track loader with a hydraulic brush cutter can reach into tight areas and steeper ground, though it needs the right hydraulic flow.

Check your operator's manual and the attachment manual to confirm the pairing. Ask the dealer about guarding, cab protection and cooling for brush work.

Skid steer cutters need a cab with the right guarding for brush work, often a polycarbonate or screen door. Ask the dealer what protection fits your machine, and do not run open-cab in brush.

What should you inspect before cutting?

Walk the area first. Hidden objects like stumps, rocks, old fence wire, culverts and animal carcasses wreck blades and throw debris. Flag hazards and remove wire and metal. Look for ground holes and ditches, and note slopes and wet areas.

Check the cutter itself. Blades should be sharp and tight, the driveline guards in place, and the gearbox oil at the level the manual states. Check for damaged chains or shields on the cutter housing.

Mark known hazards with flags, since once the grass is cut the object is hard to see on the next pass. Plan your pattern so debris is thrown toward open ground, not toward the barn, fence or road.

How do you cut brush safely?

Rotary cutters and mulchers throw objects hard and far. Keep bystanders, animals and vehicles far out of range, and never operate with guards, chains or deflectors removed. Wear eye and hearing protection, and use a cab with proper guarding when working in heavy brush.

Cut uphill and downhill rather than across steep slopes where the tractor could tip. Use the seat belt and ROPS. Shut off the engine and wait for blades to stop before clearing a jam or looking under the deck.

Take care around fences. Cutters pick up loose wire and wrap it around shafts, which can ruin gearboxes and throw sharp ends. Keep a pair of wire cutters in the tractor toolbox and shut down before using them.

Shields and chains stay in place
Stop the blades and the engine before any adjustment
Keep people well away from the discharge
Watch for hot exhaust near dry brush

How do you keep brush from coming back?

Cutting alone often leads to regrowth from the roots. Repeated mowing weakens many plants over time. Herbicide treatments must follow the label, applicator licensing rules vary by state, and some products are restricted. Ask your extension office what suits your plants and region.

Healthy pasture with good grass cover and proper grazing often holds brush back better than any machine.

If brush has grown over many years, plan on several visits across a couple of seasons. Mow in late spring or summer when plants are actively growing, and ask your extension agent about the best timing for your species.

What upkeep do cutters and mulchers need?

Grease the driveline and pivots as the manual says, keep gearbox oil at the correct level, and replace dull or damaged blades in matched sets so the cutter stays balanced. Check bolts after the first hours of use and regularly after that. Store the attachment dry and off the ground.

Some owners keep a second set of blades sharpened and ready, so a dull set does not stall a job. Replace blades in pairs or sets, never one at a time, to keep the cutter in balance.

When to get help: Ask your dealer service department about guarding, hydraulic flow and blade replacement, and your extension office about brush control. Follow the label and local licensing rules for any herbicide use.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

More in Loaders, Excavation & Property Maintenance

← Land Clearing Equipment Forestry Mulcher Basics →