Tow behind rough cut mower

[erda]

So, I was thinking about buying a rough cut mower, and got to thinking that some of the ditch that I need to mow might be too steep to safely mow.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with one of the tow behind rough cuts that is self powered-ie Swisher, Kunz, etc. How well do they track off set, and on a slope? Do they do an adequate job?

 

[mdhughes]

I have a Swisher pull behind 42" finish cut trailmower. I pull it with my Kawasaki 3010 Mule to mow my road frontage and power cut. It does an okay job of cutting, but you have to go really slow to it a good cut. It is nice that you can offset the mower and mow in a ditch without having the Mule in the ditch and it is a lot faster than mowing with a push mower. I was lucky to find the one I have for $500 used and was in really good shape. The guy I bought it from had the wrong belt on it and couldn't get it working correctly. I don't think I would be really happy with the mower if I had paid the $1,200+ for a new one.

 

[Diydave]

I used to have a swisher, it has bastard blades, that you can only get from swisher. (they have a D shaped hole) And the swisher is kind of herky jerky in cutting action, not real good on rough areas. I also have a Kunz 60" that was better in cut than the swisher, but the bearings in the wheels can't stand up to commercial mowing. Tracking on a slope is pretty bad on slopes on both, if you ask me. Best would be an old gravely walk-behind, I mean the an damn tiques...

https://youtu.be/UsFdpTYqugc

 

[erda]

The idea of using a walk behind to do over 1/2 mile of ditch, as well as all of the fence line and trails might be a bit much!

Not sure what you really mean by "herky Jerky" cutting action. None of the areas are rough per say, and once I get the brush under control should be a lot better.

 

[MadMax31]

I bought a 14.5hp Swisher electric start a week after I bought my land. Towed it with my atv. Worked well enough, but my Deere grass grinder leaves a nicer cut. Paid $1900 new, sold it for $1200 after 10-12 hrs of house.

It was a bad match for my needs, a lifted ATV with 30" mud tires, putting at 3-5 mph while towing a 600 lb anchor with spinning blades caused my belt to heat up quick. The stock trailer hitch stunk, I bolted on a 2" ball hitch to allow greater flexability and stability. The cord that covers the blade engagement cable and electric start wires rubbed the muffler and melted in a spot or two. Offset tubing I never used, since I was hogging 3-4 foot Goldenrod.

Had I had a more suitable slow-moving machine, like a Gator, or Kubota RTV or even an old semi-automatic ATV it might have been worth keeping.

 

[ctmike]

You may have some lubrication issues in the tow-behind mower engine if it is on a slant. All the oil will go to the down-side of the engine.

The following statement is in the Swisher rough-cut mower owner's manual

"Do not operate on slopes greater than 15 degrees."

 

[Tallahassee Kubota Man]

I used to have a swisher, it has bastard blades, that you can only get from swisher. (they have a D shaped hole) And the swisher is kind of herky jerky in cutting action, not real good on rough areas. I also have a Kunz 60" that was better in cut than the swisher, but the bearings in the wheels can't stand up to commercial mowing. Tracking on a slope is pretty bad on slopes on both, if you ask me. Best would be an old gravely walk-behind, I mean the an damn tiques...

https://youtu.be/UsFdpTYqugc

Great video of the Gravely. Reminds me of days gone by. Still have dad's '66 with the Studebaker engine. No oil pressure so haven't used it in years. Toughest walk behind ever built!

 

[Tooljunkie]

I have experience with kunz rough cut 72"
700 lbs with dual wheek kit and power lift. Not at all atv friendly, but offset worked well.

 

[erda]

My plan is to tow it behind my B2601. That should be a better "tug" than an atv.

 

[beckmurph]

You mentioned mowing a ditch, this might work:
http://www.drpower.com/power-equipment/trimmer-mowers/tow-behind/

 

[Burt]

So, I was thinking about buying a rough cut mower, and got to thinking that some of the ditch that I need to mow might be too steep to safely mow.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with one of the tow behind rough cuts that is self powered-ie Swisher, Kunz, etc. How well do they track off set, and on a slope? Do they do an adequate job?

erda,

We have both a tow-behind DR field mower which we pull with a 26 HP Honda ATV. The center of gravity is lower with the ATV and it will take an angle like a slope much safer. It is also a bit more maneuverable than the tractor between trees.

Our other is the L3700SU with a Kodiak 3 point field mower. With it, when I cut our slope, I only go straight down or up, no side stuff.

Between the two, I trust the DR and ATV more on a slope. I can offset the DR and the weight of the ATV is enough to trust but I don't recommend it on a pucker hill.

For ditch cleanouts, I rely upon the box blade and 3 point but don't tilt the tractor into the ditch...I tilt the box blade and just drive along cleaning out the ditch with the wheels over the ditch.

Burt