Question About Diesel vs Gas Motor For ATV Flail Mower

[ruffdog]

Most ATV cooling systems are not made for slow work. One ATV in the 80's was made for work and that was the Yamaha Terrapro. Most ATV's have a small electric fan behind the radiator to "help" with cooling. Just keep an eye on the temps.

 

[gdk22984]

If the mower is something you're planning on utilizing for some time to come, I'd opt for a diesel any day. They'll be more expensive no doubt, but you won't have to worry about ethanol, stale gas (which doesn't take long), carburetor issues and clogging, etc. that plague small gasoline engines.

 

[boostmg]

If the mower is something you're planning on utilizing for some time to come, I'd opt for a diesel any day. They'll be more expensive no doubt, but you won't have to worry about ethanol, stale gas (which doesn't take long), carburetor issues and clogging, etc. that plague small gasoline engines.

This makes a lot of sense. We were just talking about it.

Here are the specs:
Diesel
11hp
23.47Ft/Lb @ 2200rpm

Gas
22hp
32.08Ft/Lb @ 3000rpm

The diesel is cheaper to buy, your points are good. I just wonder if the deisel is a no brainer, the high torque numbers on the gas are attractive, but I don't know enough about RPMs, that is probably close to WOT. Where as the Diesel might be less work to get to that torque.

Do you think this is a big difference?

 

[aczlan]

How wide is this mower? Normally I would say go with diesel engine, but if you are running both of those on the same size mower the gas engine will let you go faster but it will use more fuel.
I would probably go with the gas one but that's just me.

Aaron Z

 

[boostmg]

How wide is this mower? Normally I would say go with diesel engine, but if you are running both of those on the same size mower the gas engine will let you go faster but it will use more fuel.
I would probably go with the gas one but that's just me.

Aaron Z

They have a 4 foot wide one and a 5 foot wide one. We are likely going with the 4 foot wide one to get through some more wooded areas.

 

[aczlan]

They have a 4 foot wide one and a 5 foot wide one. We are likely going with the 4 foot wide one to get through some more wooded areas.

The general rule of thumb is 5hp/foot for tractor implements, even if you fudged it to 4hp/foot (less parasitic losses in the drivetrain than a tractor) 11hp is pretty small for a 48" mower.
22HP will let you go faster and will use the same fuel as the 4 wheeler.

Aaron Z

 

[dodge man]

I think I'd go gas also. Most of the time a diesel is better for that kind of work but I think the gas engine is much more popular in that market and you would have more choices. It kind of make sense to me to use a pull behind for a 4 wheeler, I'd think you would be less likely to get stuck. Stick with a smaller lighter one would be my advice if you are worried about getting stuck.

 

[aczlan]

I assume that you are looking at something like High Quality Atv Towable Flail Mower With Self Engine - Buy Atv Towable Flail Mower,High Quality Atv Towable Flail Mower,Atv Towable Flail Mower With Self Engine Product on Alibaba.com
View attachment 512595
Given its weight (almost 600# for the 48" cut one), you may need to use a wider tire if your ground is soft (perhaps a golf cart 18x8.50-8 tire if you don't mind losing an inch of minimum cut height, might even fit on the same rims).

Aaron Z

 

[boostmg]

Yep this is pretty much what it would be https://www.logictoday.co.uk/app/assets/images/productrange/mfp/img_large_003.jpg

Those tires, and I'm guessing maybe the gas engine from this thread.

 

[MossRoad]

This makes a lot of sense. We were just talking about it.

Here are the specs:
Diesel
11hp
23.47Ft/Lb @ 2200rpm

Gas
22hp
32.08Ft/Lb @ 3000rpm

The diesel is cheaper to buy, your points are good. I just wonder if the deisel is a no brainer, the high torque numbers on the gas are attractive, but I don't know enough about RPMs, that is probably close to WOT. Where as the Diesel might be less work to get to that torque.

Do you think this is a big difference?

You've got double the HP and about 45% more torque with the gas motor.... You'll need to keep the blade speeds up, especially mowing... it's kind of a no brainer.... get the gas engine.