Tweaking a rotary cutter

[MESSMAKER]

I just picked up a new rotary cutter, or at least, new to me. It is a Hawkline five footer. It is a little longer than the cutters I have had previous to this. It has a single tube tail wheel assembly rather than the a-frame type that I am used to. It sticks out about 18" behind the rear of the cutter. Can I cut this down a few inches so to move the tail wheel closer to the rear of the cutter? I can cut off about a foot with out clearance issues with the wheel. Am I missing something?

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I haven't ever seen one with that configuration, can you post a pic? I can't of any reason you can't shorten the tube but like I've said I'm not familiar with that type of rear wheel.

 

[ovrszd]

Not missing anything I know of. Shorten it as much as you can and still get rotation.

 

[rod330]

I'm not sure what advantage you'd get by shortening it. If you do, be sure you're not compromising the ability to adjust the tailwheel height.

 

[4570Man]

If you shorten it make sure it can still turn 360 degrees.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I'm not sure what advantage you'd get by shortening it. If you do, be sure you're not compromising the ability to adjust the tailwheel height.

It is a good bit less maneuverable because the tail wheel will hit when you turn in corners. Never had that problem before. It will change the angle a bit on the back but I can adjust that.

 

[MESSMAKER]

http://www.farmstar.com/mower/srtc.jpg


This is the same setup as my mower

 

[Midniteoyl]

So why would you want to shorten it? If you do, the height adjustments will be off and changing to a new hole will have much less effect in height. It'll probably effect the way the wheel rolls/turns and weight on the wheel due to the shorter moment arm.

 

[MF283]

Wider turns:thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

The biggest thing is adjustability. Most cutters list a cut-height range of something like 1.5 or 2" up to 10" in height.

that means the height you can set the mower to cut and STILL have the tailwheel on the ground.

Shorten the wheel, and that "range" decreases. Say, you might only be able to mow as low as 3" and maybe only up to 6" and still have the wheel on the ground.

Other than that.....no reason you cannot modify it. On any of the cutters I have owned, its impossible with a normal tractor to make the tailwheel hit anything when going forward. Just not a short enough turning radius. If the cutter body clears, so will the wheel.

If yours is not that way, then go for it. But no point in shortening it beyond that point.