Finish Mower

[Squeak n Itch]

My very old Woods RM306 (huge drive belt and no gears) has no front gauge wheels. The setup is basically the leveling of the unit with hydraulics once the back gauge wheels are adjusted. It does tend to scalp from time to time even with the front anti-scalp roller. The larger concern is the stress on the hydraulic mechanism from supporting the weight and bouncing. I think the better setup is with four gauge wheels and that will be my next purchase.

 

[prosperity]

Thanks for all the input folks!

If at all possible, I'd modify the front caster shafts and MAKE the front of that mower adjustable. May be as simple as removing the front wheels and replacing with a set of rear ones which have the shaft and getting a handful of bushings to adjust with.

That sounds like it might be a viable solution.

Due to my work schedule, I won't be able to pick the mower up for another 2 weeks. The discussion here has really helped with what to look for and look out for.

Once I get it home and attached to the tractor, I'll do some experimenting and report back.

I do some commercial mowing, and use a Deere Z-Trak for finish work, and a bush hog on the tractor for rough work. I thought this mower would fit nicely between the two, and could be used for large open areas such as ball fields. My concern now is if I can carry the mower correctly to get a nice even cut without the front of the mower riding on wheels. CDsdad's suggestion above might have to be looked in to.

 

[uphill]

Ever heard of a PITTSBURGH finish mower? I bought a used one which is about 20 years old. It uses 2 chains which hang from 2 brackets on the back of the tractor. The chains can be adjusted to support the front of the mower higher or lower. The 3 pt lift will lift the mower but the chains limit how low the front of the mower will go. It seems to work ok but I would think wheels would be better. Most newer finish mowers seem to have front wheels. Makes me wonder about front wheels on a rear mount bushhog.

 

[DRL]

Wow, someone mentioned a RM306. Talk about memories. When I was high school age I sat on a Ford 2000 with a RM306 for 8 hrs a day for several seasons. It had the chains that uphill described. That was 35 yrs ago when the mower was new.

Doug

 

[oliver28472]

My old Woods RM-48 has the check chains on it and no front casters. There is a part on each side of the front toplink pin with a banjo hole in it. A twist link chain goes from there on each side down to the deck near where the lift arms attach. You can adjust the front with the chain/banjo holes. This arrangement put the deck closer to the tractor. I mow at 4 inches and don't have any scalping. I had a front center roller on another RM-48. It's just in the way.

 

[prosperity]

Thought I would bump this post back up since I finally had the chance to pick up the mower.

Hooked right up to my JD 2520. Drive shaft length has lots of movement - ended up right about the middle of the length when hooked up.

The mower has check chains on it. That is how the previous owner must have kept the front at a constant height. I will probably adjust them and use them.

For today, I hooked it up, and just set my 3PH control where I wanted it, and took off. Pulled along beautifully, and it runs nice and smooth.

This is one big mower and works great.

My wife thinking I am nuts as she looks out the window as I mow across the field with the snow falling......

 

[Runner]

That's a neat mower. Looks like it's in great shape.

So, the front wheels are just gauge wheels and don't normally ride on the ground, correct?

I think that would have been a good solution for me, since half the weight of the mower is on the tractor and would help with traction on hills.

Any idea of the weight of that unit?

 

[prosperity]

Yes, the front wheels a just gauge wheels - they do not ride on the ground when level.
The front of the mower does "hang" from the 3 point hitch.
I found there are check chains on it also that would allow it to hang from them.

Sorry - no idea how heavy it is - I moved it off the trailer with my loader.