putting a rotary cutter on top of pickup bed

[RoyJackson]

Good job Roy for fessing up, really.

Experienced drivers rarely have to make such maneuvers.

Wasn't really a "fess up", per se...I was going on my memory rather then facts. The truck was listed and tagged as a 1/2 ton and (at least several years (decades??) ago) Ford built all their 4x4's on a 3/4 ton chassis. That was one reason I bought Fords way back when.
I've got no idea where anyone came up with that 1/4 ton nonsense...I've never heard of anything like that. Even that '92 I had written about was rated for a 1200 lb payload.

As far as "Experienced drivers rarely have to make such maneuvers", I reckon you've never had a deer pop out in front of you...not an uncommon thing in PA. It's not the first deer that gets you...it's the second or third following...

 

[RoyJackson]

Wasn't really a "fess up", per se...I was going on my memory rather then facts. The truck was listed and tagged as a 1/2 ton and (at least several years (decades??) ago) Ford built all their 4x4's on a 3/4 ton chassis. That was one reason I bought Fords way back when.
I've got no idea where anyone came up with that 1/4 ton nonsense...I've never heard of anything like that. Even that '92 I had written about was rated for a 1200 lb payload.

That bolded section was probably a bit harsh.
After the first couple pickups (this is 1977-1979 timeframe), I can't say I paid much attention to the specs anymore. I had two criteria when I bought a pick up: Price and 4WD (although I leaned toward manual transmissions)...that was it. I never even looked into any other specs...

 

[Runner]

"Could you stand the bush hog up on either an end or a side. then cross tie it to the tie downs?"

They ship them from the factory standing up, bolted to tubes that can be picked up with pallet forks. If you had a way to stand it up and bolt it to some 4x4's or some such type of base, and a way to pick it up to load it, it might work.

 

[firemanpat2910]

I hadnt thought of bolting it to 4x4s that would make a nice stable base. I pull trailers all the time. But depending on the size of the trailer it can be way more expense and aggrivation than its worth. I share a trailer with a buddy we both have other small to mid size trailers but he found a deal on a 20' deck over, dove tail, really nice anderson trailer. the problem is it weighs alot! and when its empty you sometimes get that porpus effect. and putting a single bush hog on it would still seem empty. 600 miles of dragging thet around, for a bush hog seems excessive

 

[RoyJackson]

"Could you stand the bush hog up on either an end or a side. then cross tie it to the tie downs?"

They ship them from the factory standing up, bolted to tubes that can be picked up with pallet forks. If you had a way to stand it up and bolt it to some 4x4's or some such type of base, and a way to pick it up to load it, it might work.

Yeah...but I'd wager they're hauled on a truck with a lot more GVW and suspension then a pick up truck.
Ever haul a refrigerator? Did you feel your truck swaying?
And refrigerators have most their weight at the bottom (unlike a rotary cutter).

Anyway, probably a moot point. I'm sure the cutter has been transported by now...

 

[RobertN]

I keep coming back to my earlier post. What is a rotary cutter, maybe 1200lbs? That aint nothing compared to a full size cab over camper, which I have hauled in the past, and see on the road every day.

Now, you put a 10' or 11' cabover camper in a truck, that is some weight and is top heavy.

Yeah...but I'd wager they're hauled on a truck with a lot more GVW and suspension then a pick up truck.
Ever haul a refrigerator? Did you feel your truck swaying?
And refrigerators have most their weight at the bottom (unlike a rotary cutter).

Anyway, probably a moot point. I'm sure the cutter has been transported by now...

 

[jbooth]

I plan on going ~300 miles down to PA to pick up a Woods BB720 (~1100 lbs) and I really would like to avoid the trailer if I can. I am thinking of placing a maybe 4 telephone/power company crossarms across my bed rails and put the mower on top. Truck is a dodge 2500 cummins; the weight is no issue. Do you think I can safely do it? I think I can, the bed rails have diamond plate and the wood is somewhat rough so there is some friction. I can use 2" ratchet straps and get it tight, and even put verticals behind the rear window protecting that. It isn't necessarily ideal as a flatbed would be, but i will save bigtime on fuel. I tested it out with a JD MX6 the other day and it seemed to sit nicely on there. Can I get any hassle from dot, etc or could it be fine?

thanks, i'm ready for the comments against it..

Expect you have already got the mower, but I haul a heavier skid steer mower just as you have described on a 1/2 ton pickup. I cinch it down good with chains and straps. Chains to block forward motion and straps to cinch it down tight. I have noted some of the comments and I suppose it could come forward if you rear ended somebody, but I would go for it. I didn't put any vertical blocks behind the windows as you describe but may in the future as it seems a good idea.

 

[Highbeam]

We don't need to make many emergency maneuvers here in WA. Maybe it is because we killed all of our deer, I have never hit one. The other drivers are idiots and there are many of them but that's where the driver's skills will prevent emergency maneuvers.

The only time I pucker now is when some yahoo merges onto the freeway and doesn't yield to traffic on the freeway. It is not too difficult to deal with this but it irritates me.