Flail Mower Peruzzo Ditch Bank Moweron Mahindra 3616

[jgedmond]

Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

After a lot of research, I have decided to buy a Peruzzo ditch bank mower. I keep going back and forth between the Fox Cross 1600 (640 lbs.) and the heavier Elk Cross 1600 (860 lbs.). I think that the Elk Cross is better suited to my intended uses. I live in East TX, so the ground is relatively flat. This is rough pasture and woods, so there is the occasional "pot hole" and some sloped pond banks.

Does anyone use the Elk Cross on a 3616 or similar tractor? My 3616 is a 2011 model with 36 engine hp and 31 pto hp, it weighs 3350 with the loader and the 3PH lift is 2616 lbs. All specs per Mahindra owner's manual. The tires are not liquid filled at the moment, but that can be done. Liquid for the 2 rear tires would add about 550 lbs. assuming water density.

I read the thread from TerryR with a Fox Cross 1600 on a JD 870 and that was really informative, thanks for that Terry.

I really want to hear about experiences to get a reality check, but opinions are welcome too.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

My Peruzzo Brush Bull 2200 (7' working width weighs in at 1,700lbs behind 5k of tractor. I can really feel it when I have it fully offset (2' or so) & it's off the ground. Double your weight on both fronts to some degree. I'd want a fair bit lighter impliment if I was hanging it off further to the side than I do now. Although I'd imagine a ditch mower would need to stay on the ground more than a normal flail just due to the leverage.

 

[jgedmond]

Re: Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

Fallon, thanks for the info. You are at about 3:1 tractor to mower weight ratio which is what Peruzzo recommends as a minimum for their ditch bank mowers. I am at about 4:1, but as you said with much greater leverage to the side. I am thinking the combo will work if I make sure the flail roller is on the ground at all times when extended and only lift when it is tucked behind the tractor. Also thinking that filled tires is a good idea based on your feedback. That extra weight would put me at a 4.5:1 tractor to mower weight ratio.

 

[TerryR]

I can't imagine how one would use a ditch mower if it has to stay on the ground when extended. I find I often have mine raised and extended.

I'm running a Fox Cross 1600, which is supposed to weigh 639 lb. My tractor is a JD 870, which weighs around 2600 lb., plus filled tires which adds probably over 500 lb, and 240 lb. of suitcase weights on the front. That gives me a bit over a 5:1 ratio, and it feels pretty solid even when the mower is fully extended and off the ground, though you do know it's there. And I don't lift it extended when it's on the downhill side of a side hill.

I mow twice a year, so the grass and weeks get three feet tall and more. I do mow the field with it extended to keep from running over the un-mowed stuff, as it does a poor job of picking up after the tire runs over it. With it extended I really know it's there when mowing up my steep hills, as it want's to pull the tractor off to the side.

 

[jgedmond]

Terry, I was thinking that I could put the roller down before extending horizontally to the side as far as needed. It seems like this would work on flat or down-sloped ground. On up-sloped ground, I might have to lift the roller to tilt up to avoid hitting the belt housing on the ground. Am I still missing something?

FYI, Bestco recommends a 5:1 weight ratio for their ditch bank mowers while Peruzzo recommends 3:1.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

Loaded rears and/or wheel weights always help with stability as does widening the rears as much as possible. However loaded fronts actually dont. Due top the pivot on the front axle it only provide any lateral stability after you hit the stop. At that point you generally have to much momentum & are going over anyway. Modern reactors look like they are more stable up front than the old tricycle ones, but the physics is the same due to the pivot.

A loader or front weights help keep the front on the ground with a heavy mower behind you. But in this case its gonna be the side load, not the rear load that will cause problems.

 

[RjCorazza]

Re: Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

Interesting read...
I have finally decided on a Peruzzo ditch mower, then contemplated the Elk model over the Cross. I did not come across the weight ratios being discussed, but am also concerned about that kinda weight off to the side.
My L4060 cab weighs in at about 6300 lbs with the loader and filled rears, so that puts me at about 7:1 with the Elk.
Not certain the heavier duty Elk is the best choice for my needs though. I really do not anticipate cutting anything over 1" in diameter, so the Cross may be the best choice for me.

Anyway, the weight ratio being discussed is news to me, and makes me a little more comfortable with either one swinging out to the side.

 

[jgedmond]

Re: Peruzzo Ditch Bank Mower on Mahindra 3616

Interesting read...
I have finally decided on a Peruzzo ditch mower, then contemplated the Elk model over the Cross. I did not come across the weight ratios being discussed, but am also concerned about that kinda weight off to the side.
My L4060 cab weighs in at about 6300 lbs with the loader and filled rears, so that puts me at about 7:1 with the Elk.
Not certain the heavier duty Elk is the best choice for my needs though. I really do not anticipate cutting anything over 1" in diameter, so the Cross may be the best choice for me.

Anyway, the weight ratio being discussed is news to me, and makes me a little more comfortable with either one swinging out to the side.

Some sellers / makers of ditch bank mowers specify a tractor minimum weight for their products. I calculated the ratios to give me some idea of what might work for my tractor when a minimum weight was not provided. I know that the situation is more complicated than that since the amount of side extension, how far behind the tractor, tractor weight distribution, etc all play a role.

I think that the Elk will be best for my uses, but either should work. I just don't want to push it too far and end up with an unstable rig.

 

[TerryR]

Terry, I was thinking that I could put the roller down before extending horizontally to the side as far as needed. It seems like this would work on flat or down-sloped ground. On up-sloped ground, I might have to lift the roller to tilt up to avoid hitting the belt housing on the ground. Am I still missing something?

The issue I see is to extend the mower with it on the ground you need to be moving ahead. While you can sometimes slide the mower sideways on the roller the relief valve built into the mower will generally open if you try and it won't extend. So you would be leaving an uncut area as you move forward, which may or may not be an issue depending on your situation.

Also, flail mowers don't cut while backing up. In fact Peruzzo says not to back up. They don't say whether that's because they don't cut well or if there is risk of damage to the frame (as leonz said in another thread, the manual is really bad). So if you need to back up to an obstacle you need to have the mower off the ground. If the situation requires it be extended that means lifting it while extended.

Finally, if you are doing really steep upward banks you need to carry the lower end of mower off the ground as you mow. This isn't as much of an issue because in that case the mower isn't actually hanging as far off to the side, so doesn't put as much sideways force on the tractor.

 

[jgedmond]

Terry, thanks for the detailed explanation, that helps a lot.