Ditch mower from bush hog?

[kthompson]

I have need of a ditch mower. The tractor in question is a Kioti DK35 Cab model. It has rear remotes. Hydraulics are the run of the mill loader set up with joystick.
I was looking around on ebay to see whats out there and saw something like this:

Well if that isn't a Bush hog offset with hydraulic drive/control I'm a monkey's uncle. Well, maybe I'm a monkey's uncle anyway, but that looks like something pretty straightforward to cobble up from off the shelf parts.
Has anyone made one of these things or am I about to waste a lot of time on a bad design?

You can find a good bit of mowers on this general design out there. Have never seen this exact design but don't over look they are placing hyd reservoir and other counter weight at left end which helps to offset the mower itself. Also mower is probably of lighter weight metal than their 3 pth models. You also don't have tail wheel and 3 pth mount or as heavy gearbox on it all reducing it's weight. Having said all that there can still be a LOT of weight on the right lift arm and right rear wheel. I would not want over a 4 foot cutter on one of these unless you have a very heavy tractor. But I have used Hardee Cutter with 5 foot cutter on a about a 6,000 to 7,000 tractor with good front weights and been fine. SLOW is the most important word. There are boom flail mowers that require even less tractor weight. That pivot wheel would be a problem in wet ditches I think. If you can keep it on dry firm ground would be neat to keep your cutter same height and some load off of tractor.

 

[Roger2561]

I have been following this project for awhile due to the fact I find it very interesting. Seeing that weight is an issue, and that I'm no metalurgist, other than cost, why not try to fabricate something using aluminum in place of steel? Would there be structural issues to consider? I do not know, that's why I ask. Thanks, all. I really enjoy this forum. Roger

 

[J_J]

Vineyard Equipment Sales - Crane Cutters

http://www.collardaustralia.com/index.php

 

[Maknwine]

I dont know if you can see the slope from these pics but maybe just a little. If not, there free to view.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

i just happened to see this on fleabay and thought of this thread.....

Maschio Mdl 160 70" Ditch Bank Flail Mower, Hedge Mower - eBay (item 350170425876 end time May-24-09 19:42:55 PDT)

 

[aczlan]

Looks like you need one of these with and 84" version of the deck from this mower

I dont know if Deere offers those together, but it would get both sides in one pass.

If your rows were a foot farther apart (and you won the lottery) Woods, Befco and others make a "Turf Batwing" that might do the trick, it has a 5' center deck and 2 4' wings, for a 12' cut. The college I went to had a pair of them and they do a great job, however they are supposed to cost ~$15k
Here is a thread on them: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/97024-any-opinions-befco-batwing-finish.html

Edit: I ran across the BushHog TD1100 which seems to be a 11' 3 deck finish mower... might be worth looking at if the V in between the rows is flat enough.
Tractorhouse has a few for sale: http://www.tractorhouse.com/listing...d=1134&Manu=BUSH+HOG&Mdltxt=TD1100&mdlx=exact

Aaron Z

 

[Maknwine]

Hey thks for the post. If only that middle was a little flatter and the mower a little narrower.

 

[jmc]

Vineyard Equipment Sales - Crane Cutters

Collard Vine Trimmers and Vine Leaf Removers, Australia

Thanks J J. I don't know how you come up with this stuff!

John

 

[BgMac]

I just built and tested an adapter to a 4ft. BigBee rotory cutter for my 27hp 790 John Deere and it works great. The adapter mounts on the 3 pt hitch and uses direct drive. The mower is attached 6" from the outside of the right rear wheel. I have the tractor tires filled and weight in the front.

Works great.

 

[aczlan]

I just built and tested an adapter to a 4ft. BigBee rotory cutter for my 27hp 790 John Deere and it works great. The adapter mounts on the 3 pt hitch and uses direct drive. The mower is attached 6" from the outside of the right rear wheel. I have the tractor tires filled and weight in the front.

Pictures?

Aaron Z