MMOM (Mid Mount Offset Mower)

[Mosey]

I doubt such a thing exists, but has anyone ever heard of a MMOM (Mid Mount Offset Mower)? By the way, I made up the name/acronym. I've been trying to figure out a good way to mow the edge of a ditch and under trees with branches that are too low to drive under. I thought about a sickle bar mower, but can't find a used one for sale around here and new ones are too expensive. I thought about a flail mower, but they are too expensive.

I have a 42" mower deck from and old Dynamark riding lawn tractor (the engine threw a rod). The mower deck is still in good shape and worked good the last time I used it. So, I got to thinking that maybe I could figure out a way to build an offset mower with it and mount it in front of the rear tires and run it off the mid PTO. It would be light duty, but I would only use it once in a while anyway.

So, I was wondering if anything like it already exists so I could get some ideas on how to build one (I’m sure that if one does exist, it will be too expensive). Even a rear mount offset mower would be helpful. I have tried adjusting the 3pt arms so my rear mount mower is all the way to one side, but I can only get about 1' of overhang that way and I need about 3'. The reason I’m considering the mid mount version is because then I could run both the MMOM and the rear mount at the same time for faster mowing. But, if that’s too complicated then a RMOM (Rear Mount Offset Mower) would be fine.

 

[theboman]

They do make a rotary cutter that can do that. It attaches to the tractor by hydraulic arms. It can cut over hanging tree limbs or over an embankment. I've only seen highway/road departments with them and you know it takes a stout tractor and a pile of money to get such a thing.
Use a weedeater. small lawn tractor, push mower, goat, horse or cattle and it'll be cheaper in the long run a few are can produce fertilizer.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Woods makes a brush hog (MDC172) that can be offset but I'm not sure it can be offset enough to do what you want. It has a 6' cutting width and requires at least 20 hp.

The other thing that may work for you is one of the tow behind mowers that are sold for use with ATVs. It might be worth your while to take a look at one at a dealer. If you try to mount the mower deck you have you'll have to figure a way to drive it. If you use a driveshaft the amount of offset will be limited by the maximum operating angle of the U-joints.

You might be able to drive the mower deck with an hydraulic motor driven off your tractor's hydraulics. Then the offset can be whatever you can build a mount to support.

 

[keeney]

Mosey,

I found what you need: 80 hp, 192 inch total cutting width. Mid-mount offset mowers on both side.

- Rick

 

[JDIOWA]

Danny,

Every time I say <font color=blue> I doubt such a thing exists</font color=blue> I seem to find something similar. Check out this product <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.flex-deck.com/index.html>http://www.flex-deck.com/index.html</A>. It doesn't look to be exactly what you are looking for but it does extend a MM deck at least 18" to the port side of your mowing vessel. Good luck.

Cornfed Boy

 

[ewoss3]

actually why not try building a flex deck with an older mower deck. The mm's that I've seen had a pulley that you could change to a double pulley, then attach the flex deck using pin style hinges or barn hinges. For strenth I would run a cable to my fel so it wouldn't twist

 

[JackIL]

This photo shows the Flex-Deck mounted on the 60-inch deck on my JD 955. It works great!

 

[Muhammad]

Nice add-on! Is it just my eyes, or just the photo, or are your front wheels dished out on the 955?

 

[Steve_in_Ont]

Check out: http://www.alamo-industrial.com

They seem to have various options.

 

[JackIL]

Both the front and the rear wheels are dished out. This makes the overall tractor width 60 inches which improves lateral stability on side slopes. This is approved by JD. I also have 3 wheel weights per rear wheel (60 lb per weight).