Is a HD SS Mower on Tractor Loader a Good Idea?

[HenRut]

Will the hi or standard flow version of, say, a Bradco Land Shark skid steer brush mower work on the front loader of a 100hp tractor with skid steer quick attach mount AND a hydraulic power pack outputting 25-33gpm to front remotes? At 9K lbs, the tractor has the weight but will the operation of the mower designed for a skid steer damage the loader arms? Is the tractor up to the task? I have experience operating a CTL and mower (Kubota SVL-90 and Land Shark) but little experience on a tractor, with or without any type of mower. Thanks in advance.

 

[Fallon]

SS arms are their only engagement method & are built tough accordingly. Tractors are designed for pulling & loaders are an afterthought. Heavy engine & loader over the weak expensive fragile axle. No ballast on the back, etc.

But if if your tractor is suitably overkill (double or more lift capacity compared to implement weight) you shouldn't have any problems. Running a mower infront of the tires means better cutting due to material not being squished too.

 

[HenRut]

Loader lift capacity is a hair more than double that of the largest Bradco mower (Extreme Duty). Total tractor weight with loader, attachment and power pack is 13,215 lbs. That's 2K lbs more than the Kubota CTL I ran with a standard flow Bradco. I imagine I'll miss the nimbleness of the CTL in maneuvering but the PS trans of the tractor (hopefully) will help. I'll also have to be mindful that, unlike the CTL, the windshield is not Lexan.

 

[motownbrowne]

Well, if they didn't want people running skid steer attachments on that loader, I suppose they should mention that somewhere in the manual. Sounds like it'll be fun to run.

 

[4Papa]

Well, if they didn't want people running skid steer attachments on that loader, I suppose they should mention that somewhere in the manual. Sounds like it'll be fun to run.

One would think. To satisfy my curiosity, I may check with Bradco to hear what they think.

 

[Rustyiron]

Just last week I put my Ambusher on the tractor for the 1st time. While on my way to the far side of the property I mowed down the edge of my dirt road, close to a mile. My wife wanted a path cut down near her (wild) blueberry patch for access and escape route for when she sees a bear. (yes she was 20' from one last year before she saw it) With the front of the mower about 7-8' in front of the front wheels, mowing closer than a 10" height meant a lot of banging into the ground with out a very smooth path. The mower was nothing (load wise) for the tractor or loader, but I'd only use it for grinding down the tall stuff in terrain to rough for the SS. This was with the tractor in my avatar.

 

[4Papa]

Just last week I put my Ambusher on the tractor for the 1st time. While on my way to the far side of the property I mowed down the edge of my dirt road, close to a mile. My wife wanted a path cut down near her (wild) blueberry patch for access and escape route for when she sees a bear. (yes she was 20' from one last year before she saw it) With the front of the mower about 7-8' in front of the front wheels, mowing closer than a 10" height meant a lot of banging into the ground with out a very smooth path. The mower was nothing (load wise) for the tractor or loader, but I'd only use it for grinding down the tall stuff in terrain to rough for the SS. This was with the tractor in my avatar.

Was the M9540 porpoising because of the weight out front? What does the Ambusher weigh and did you have any weight on the rear 3pt? I also think the Bradco can be had with guide wheels. Wheels might stop the scalping, if not the porpoising.

 

[Rustyiron]

The weight was not an issue at all, it was the exagerated movement over dips & rises in the terrain due to the mowers distance away from the tractor. It will work, I just wouldn't want to mow a field with it with a pto & 3pt hitch available out back. Not sure on the weight of the mower but I would guess it's under 800#.

 

[4Papa]

Current selling Ambushers weigh in at 1,200 to 1,400# depending on width. Bradco Ground Sharks are between 1,300# and 2,000# depending on standard duty or extreme. I assume the more weight, the more porpoising (bounce). Not sure how much difference carrying weight on the 3pt would make. The hydraulic power pack on the rear of the tractor weights in around 600#. FWIW, the Kubota CTL (SVL-90) with standard Ground Shark had a fair amount of bounce and scalping when tackling uneven ground, especially going downhill.

 

[HenRut]

So I spoke with Bradco about running their Ground Sharks on a tractor. Their position was, although the power pack, tractor QA will run the mower fine, they cannot recommend the setup due to liability issues. Those issues being the tractor's ability to raise the loader arms and mower high enough to throw material backwards into the tractor windshield. It's a curious position as this is the same hazard they have with skid steers/ctl, their recommended machines. This is why they attach a chain to the rear of the unit to limit the ability to raise the mower beyond a certain height.