Is it possible: Modify a commercial mower deck for use on a PT?

[Blade Runners]

I know PT has mower decks but I am wondering if it is possible to modify a commercial mower deck to be used on a PT. Most decks are designed to be suspended but there are others that are desiged to roll flat on the ground and be pushed. The Steiner and Ventracs come to mind and they are known for good cut quality and awesome striping. The problem is that most mower decks are belt driven. Would it be reasonably possible to modify a Steiner or Ventrac deck to work on a PT?

 

[J_J]

Why not, the finish mowers are actually belt driven using a hyd motor on the center pulley.

I would guess about a 3 or 4 cu in hyd motor would work.

 

[Blade Runners]

Thanks for the pic JJ. It seems like there are alot of very good people on here always willing to help without being critical. I am glad I found this section of the forum.

I was thinking the deck conversion would be much harder but looking at your pic there really shoudn't be too much to it. Off the top of my head I am thinking, fab a mount for the motor, a few pulleys might need to be added, and calculate for proper blade tip speed (which I have no idea how to do

How is the cut quality and discharge on the PT finish deck? We run Scags and IMO, and many others, they are one of the best decks made when it comes to QOC, discharge, and ability to cut in wet conditions.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks for the pic JJ. It seems like there are alot of very good people on here always willing to help without being critical. I am glad I found this section of the forum.

I was thinking the deck conversion would be much harder but looking at your pic there really shoudn't be too much to it. Off the top of my head I am thinking, fab a mount for the motor, a few pulleys might need to be added, and calculate for proper blade tip speed (which I have no idea how to do

How is the cut quality and discharge on the PT finish deck? We run Scags and IMO, and many others, they are one of the best decks made when it comes to QOC, discharge, and ability to cut in wet conditions.

I have a 2001 PT425 with a 60" deck. In my opinion, it is "good" quality cut for my personal lawn. I would not use it for "commercial" quality cut on a paying customer's lawn. It is rear discharge and in a nice, heavy lawn, it leaves a wind-row on the right side that has to be dealt with. If you come back in the opposite direction the wind-row stays. The only way to deal with it effectively is to mow in a counter-clockwise pattern. While that takes care of the windrow, it leaves you stranded in the center of the cutting area. That may not be important to most people, but if you want a nice, striped, effect on the lawn, you can't do it with the PT deck.

Also, the deck is solid. So it does not flex going across hills/swales. It does great going up and down slope changes, but not going across them.

There are some videos of the 60" mower in action on my web site. Click on my little animated tractor signature and go to the videos page. Hope that helps.

As for adapting another deck, it can be done. Just remember that the PT425 hydraulic output is equiv to about 11.5HP. I don't think it will power a mechanical deck adapted to hydraulic over about 48-50". While my 60" PT deck works well in my average lawn, it bogs down in a very thick, healthy lawn if left too long in ideal growing conditions.

Also, the rear discharge deck does not have a bagger option. So you'll have to modify something if you need to bag. Which is a bummer for leaf pickup if you need that function.

I use a tow-behind brush-type lawn sweeper when I need to bag or pick up leaves. That works just fine.

 

[Blade Runners]

Good info, thanks.

I will probably put the modified deck idea on the back burner. It was just an idea that popped into my head from researching Steiners and Ventracs and how their decks operate. I will probably look at getting a rough cut deck though. We have some customers with fields that our ZTR likes to get hung up in unless its really dry out. The 4wd of the PT would help alot in those conditions.

 

[MossRoad]

I have a 48" brush cutter for my PT425. Its definitely not a mower. Its a brush hog. It will absolutely destroy anything in its path. Do not operate it with anyone near you or near property like buildings, etc... if you hit a rock and break the blade bolt the blade will fly 50' no problem. And debris can fly 100' or further. I have destroyed many 2" trees that were live and standing. I have also taken apart 4" downed limbs that were slightly softened by a year on the ground.

 

[ponytug]

Yes, the PT1445 72" brush cutter happily takes down 4" live oaks. It is a wonderful brush tool. It works way better than the skid steer power brush chipper that the park next door uses.

I wouldn't use it anywhere near people or buildings. I mow wearing a chainsaw hardhat with a face screen and hearing protection. 6" inch chunks have come back closer than I would like. If I was using it for commercial use, I would install a screen guard on the ROPS. My spouse spots me from several hundred feet away for a reason.

All the best,

Peter

I have a 48" brush cutter for my PT425. Its definitely not a mower. Its a brush hog. It will absolutely destroy anything in its path. Do not operate it with anyone near you or near property like buildings, etc... if you hit a rock and break the blade bolt the blade will fly 50' no problem. And debris can fly 100' or further. I have destroyed many 2" trees that were live and standing. I have also taken apart 4" downed limbs that were slightly softened by a year on the ground.

 

[MossRoad]

Once I hit a long piece of wood. I saw this 14-15" bent piece of wood go spinning out about 30-40' and thought to myself "that looks like a boomerang"..... guess what? It turned around and came back right at me! YIKES! Missed me by more than it seemed, but YIKES!!! Scared the heck out of me. :laughing:

 

[Blade Runners]

Don't brush hogs usually have chains hanging from them to prevent flying debris and ummm blades

 

[woodlandfarms]

Not PT. Some guys add them. I have to say I have never had something come out of my deck that went more than 10 feet, but it is not to say it isn't impossible, and 10 feet is 10 feet.