Rotary Cutter Pull Behind Rotary Cutter - Pros/Cons/Dangerous

[ThistleKop]

<font color="blue">Seems like that is a non issue.. even a drag mower is going to have weight ont he tractor. </font>

Soundguy,
I've used both type hogs over the years and I get much more shaking of the tractor with the 3pth types. Also in the instances when you must lift the hog the weight is born by the tractor. That's not a big issue with Howse and KK because of their weight. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TK

 

[trlong]

J.,

A couple of thoughts, for what they are worth (note...a lot of folks here have a great deal more experience with attachments than I have).

That said, "Google" MONO Mfg. Co.. You'll get a lot of hits: Mfg. for Sears, some Litigation in Illinois, numerous others. IMO, that is USA Made.

Two other things. Listen to the Safety issue. You may want to invest in a shielded driveline. Also, what is that crack in the arm extending from the right side of the Mfg.'ers tag? Looks like a part that needs replacing.

As for 3PT vs. trailer...If you have nice, relatively flat 40 acres, I don't see much problem with the trailer. However, I deal wtih a LOT of hilly areas. Often, I have to idle down, switch off the PTO, lift my Grooming Mower and back up a hill, or into a space too tight to turn around in. Then lower the mower and fire up again to get as much cut as I can. You'ld have to see some of the things I have to mow...especially where it's steep and the ROPS won't go under tree branches.

All that said. $150 sounds like a deal. It won't be though if you get caught in that unshielded driveline. Good luck with your decision, either way.

[OH, I forgot. If adjusted properly (especially with a quick-hitch like an I-Match), I don't see that there is much "wear" on the tractor...my GM floats nicely and is just dragged along by the lift hooks, putting only nominal stress on the 3pt arms. The only real stress is when I lift it slightly to miss dropping into those divets, mentioned in another post...that's where the 3pt comes in very handy.]

Tom

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 3 PT mowers do put more wear and tear on your tractor. You have all of that weight hanging on all moving points of your 3 PT hitch. It sways from side to side, up and down, etc )</font>

A mower is probably one of the easiest things on the 3pt.. except perhaps a fertalizer spreadder. Many other 3pt implements like ground engaging implements.. discs, plows, box blades, etc exert much more force ont he 3pt linkages.

As for wear.. well.. the bushings on the large machines are generally replaceable, and for that fact.. the lift arm ends can be welded on.. they sell them at TSC.

That said.. not one of my antique tractors has a lower lift arm that is worn past usable condition. Worn.. yes.. not worn out. Those tractors are from the 40's and 50's.. if that's your idea of unacceptable wear.. well.. I can deal with a lift arm end that wears out a couple times a century... right?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not to mention how light it makes the front of your tractor. )</font>

That's a non-issue. That's what suitcase weights are for, as another memebr pointed out. It would be the same with any heavy front or rear implement.. you have to ballast the other end. My tractor with a front end loader has a 600# cement counterweight hanging on the 3pt lift to counterballance the fel. Most guys with backhoes use a fel, or suitcase weights onthe front for the same purpose. That's just basic tractor 'ownership' 101 stuff.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Furthermore, you only have half of the weight of the mower on your tractor from a pull-behind as opposed to all of the weight on a 3 PT hitch model. )</font>

Ok.. I'm gonna guess that you either typed that so fast that you didn't think it out.. or that you have no understanding of geometry.. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here..

On a drag mower.. the rear wheels and the front mower tounge where it attaches to the tractor drawbar are the weight bearing points. on a 3pt mower, the rear wheel(s) and the 3pt lift arms where the front of the mower attaches tot he tractor are the weight bearing points. In both cases, you have a portion of the load fore and aft. How much weight forward ont he 3pt depends on if it is lifted off the ground.. So yes.. if you are carrying the mower.. then the tractor is bearing full weight... most of us just don't drive around with our mowers hung up in the air.. most of us let them roll on those black rubber things ( wheels ) that the manufacturer mounted ont he back of the mower. With the back wheel(s) on the ground, it is bearing some of the weight, and your theory of the tractor bearing the full weight looses water at that point.
Back to the argument that your tractor is carrying the full weight of the mower ( when raised)... ok.. where's the problem with that?? That's whay the tractor has a 3pt lift rated for XX pounds depending ont he model. If you will notice.. a mower will have a weight and pto hp rating.. you have to match those to your tractor... you don't see 30hp tractors pulling 10' mowers.

My NH 7610s will snatch my 2000# 3pt mower off the ground in the blink of an eye if i pull the lift handle all the way up.. I've got 800# of front suitcase weights up there.. tractor drives and handles great.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As I stated before, each ones have their place and their benefits )</font>

Yep, and as far as i can tell, the lift mowers are not more detrimental to the tractor than the drag style.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For my type of mowing I prefer the pull-behind )</font>

That's good.. just don't shoot everyone else in the foot that use a 3pt mower..

Soundguy

 

[trlong]

Soundguy,

Thanks. You made me realize I'm thinking of my groomng mower with its 4 wheels, rather than the rough cut with only two rear wheels. Makes a big difference in weight and wear on the 3pt, I would assume.

Tom

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've used both type hogs over the years and I get much more shaking of the tractor with the 3pth types )</font>

I've also used both. Most of the shaking was on small 3pt types.. like 4' and 5' as you get bigger.. no shaking. My 10' doesn't so much as vibrate... it's heavy too.. 2000#

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That's not a big issue with Howse and KK because of their weight )</font>

I think the weight is the biggest issue with vibration.. lighter units vibrate more. An small economy howse or KK will vibrate more than a small heavier brand I believe.

That said.. my HD howse is smooth.. no vibrations.

Course when it comes to pull type mowers.. you don't see many setup for pull under 8', occasionally a few older 5' etc.. but not many new ones that small. Once you get big like 8'.. that's alot of metal to absorb and dampen vibrations..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Ok guys.. I'm gonna stick my neck out here and tote the olive branch before a mod shuts this discussion down.

I see that this 'debate' is quickly heading toward "hydro vs Gear" and "mycolor vs Yourcolor" status.

I think it's safe to say that there are pros and cons for each type of mower, and that each is better at some certian specific tasks, and not as good at others. Some of those tasks may overlap.. and some may be exclusive. The terain intended to be mowed will be of prime concern, for fine tuning a mower purchase.. that said.. i think you can get away with either mower on any terain, if you take it easy and know what you are doing.

In the end, I see this as an 'opinion' type matter. As in.. I like tomatoes.. or i don't like onions.. etc

Taking a look at this guys original question:

""Pull Behind Rotary Cutter - Pros/Cons/Dangerous ""

I think we have adequately pointed out many pros and cons, depending on use, etc.

We's also pointed out that the guy may want to get a drive shaft shield for safety.

I think we can also agree that for 150$.. he got a good deal and can't go wrong.

I miss anything?

Soundguy

 

[EastTexFrank]

My regular mowing unit at the farm is a MF275, with no front end weights or loader, and a super heavy duty 7', drawbar pulled mower. With 2 wheels 'way out back, all the weight of that mower is on the drawbar. You're right, on flat ground the combo is no problem but if the pasture gets a little rough, the front end of the tractor gets to bouncing up and down pretty good. I respect the experience of you other guys but the bouncing seems a lot worse than with the JD 820 or Kubota M5700 with 5' and 6', 3-point mowers respectively. In fact, both 3-pt mowers just feel a lot more stable in general. I suspect the additional weight of the pull-behind is a factor.

Now, does anyone have any idea where I can finally get a set of weights for that MF 275?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Cactus]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> 3 PT mowers do put more wear and tear on your tractor. You have all of that weight hanging on all moving points of your 3 PT hitch. It sways from side to side, up and down, etc. We havae all seen worn-out three point hitches. Not to mention how light it makes the front of your tractor. Granted this is a small point to make, </font> )</font>

I have never seen or heard of a 3pt hitch being worn out from using a brushhog that is a 3pt mounted type.If the bushhog is properly matched for the tractor and the tractor has the proper ballast the light front end should not be a problem.For my application a pull behind brushhog would be very impractical. With a 3pt mounted brushhog I can access rough terrain,drive through a creek...I can lift my brushhog up and back into a bunch of briars...IE: multiflora rose instead of driving my tractor through the brush...same with small saplings....when mowing the wheel on the back of my brushhog helps distrubute the weight.Not very often do you ever see a pull behind brushhog in my locality....
Again...this is just my experience and observations....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( the front end of the tractor gets to bouncing up and down pretty good )</font>

Not good.. you need to get some weight out front.

here's a pic of my NH.. nice weight carrier out front.

Bouncing up and down isn't safe.. nor do i amagine it is good onthe components.. if you can help it.. etc

Soundguy