Mowing Front Mower

dsb5610 · Jan 22, 2006

I've often thought that if my 2210 had a front mower instead of the mid mower it would be a much better all purpose machine. The front mower would need to ride on it's own set of wheels so it would follow the contour of the ground the same as my F911. The front design would also let me mow under trees/shrubs.

In searching for info on the new HPX Gator I ended up at one of the Deere international sites. There I find the Twenty 20 series outfitted with a Front A-Frame Hitch with a floating mower just like I envisioned. I don't find this hitch on Deere's US site. Has any heard of or seen this hitch? Also, the mower was not Deere colors so I assume it is 3rd party but I am unable to locate it in my searches.

dsb

Gunfighter · Jan 22, 2006

Don't know why the American tractor manufactures are behind the times.
Don't think that there are any major tractor manufacture in the US who offer
articulating tractor with front attachment... Just getting a front snow blower
cost a arm an a leg for all the extra hardware you need to buy..

You should check out Ventrac, Steiner and Power Trac. They are not major
manufacture but offer articulating tractors with front attachments...

http://www.steinerturf.com/products/tractors/

http://www.ventrac.com/

http://www.power-trac.com/

I don't see them as replacement for the bigger compact tractors but they
can do everything that the sub-compacts can do... I have several tractors
but the one that gets the most use is the Steiner Turf tractor...

Richard
West Michigan...

Toolguy · Jan 22, 2006

I think the main drawback to a front mount mower on a tractor would be the turning radius compared to a mid-mount and ZTR. While it would be great for inside corners and under trees it would not be good for trimming around trees or any outside corner unless it was at least twice the width of the tractor. A MMM would be a better all-around machine with a ZTR the best, IMHO.

RalphVa · Jan 22, 2006

Someone posted a web site or pictures on one of the forums on TBN that showed front mount mowers, but in (I think it was) Europe.

The mower on my Gravely was out front. Liked it better than having the brush hog that I have on the 4010 out back. However, having one out front on my 4010 would put it way out there, but probably only a couple feet, not much further than how far my FEL goes: e.g. 3 blades of not more than 22" each on a front mount mower would be about right. Actually 3@18" would probably be about the right width and not take the deck out front too far. Depends on how wide your tractor is. My 4010 is only about 48". Some bigger ones are closer to 60".

Ralph

beenthere · Jan 22, 2006

I suspect Deere and others hava pretty good idea that not many US buyers would opt for an 'out front mower'. In Europe, for years the tractors have been accepted with 'out front' attachments (at least in '79 when I was there I saw a lot of farm-type small tractors that had engines in back and attachments and small wheels out front. Tradition probably has a lot to do with sales and marketing.
The Deere Ztracks (drove one the other day to get my free t-shirt coupon signed /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) would fit the bill for a fast and easy front mower design.
I can see an 'out front' mower on my all wheel-steer yard tractor (Deere X485), as turning would be within the path of the mower deck, making mowing around objects much easier than if regular steer. I wouldn't want it out front due to the dust and lawn debris blowing up from the deck. Sometimes bad enough when the deck is under the belly. Just my 2cents.

Gunfighter · Jan 22, 2006

Attached is a picture of my turf tractor. It's about as close as you can get
to a ZTR in maneuverablity but unlike a ZTR you can get over 25 different
attachment for it..So you can use it all year around even up in snow country..

My only regret is that I didn't see it 35 years ago....

Richard
West Michigan...

Toolguy · Jan 22, 2006

It's still out back but the seat and steering wheel are turned around to make you think it is the front. (Sorry, just my attempt at humor) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Looks like a good machine. I have never seen one though, where I travel.