A 3PH mower runs from the PTO. Here is the idea ...
Would it be possible to mount a gas or diesel engine on the mower to drive the mower. Then, build a "skid steer" type mount onto the mower so that it could be mounted onto the front of the tractor? If so mounted, should the mount be on the back of the mower so that it is still being driven into the area to be cut in the same direction as it was when mounted on the back of the tractor? What type of HP would be needed in the motor?
Any thoughts or ideas welcome.
It has been done before with flail mowers mounted integrally
and it is nothing new in the scheme of things.
The Mott folks did this with a few models of their three point hitch
flailmowers on some models using a 4 cylinder Wisconsin.
It worked well for them because it allowed them to mount
the Wiscoinsin directly on the right side over the driven pulley
with a manual power take off; I believe it was small Rockford
to power it and the throttle controll was right where you could
reach it as well.
The Alamo Industrial folks did not bother to include this power saving feature
on thier flailmowers as they were destroying a competitor when they bought the Mott
Mower company after the younger Mott who was going to run the company died in a
crash of his experimental aircraft.
It would be very hard to manage this on a rotary cutter for several reasons;
the least of which would be using a quick attach mounting system that would not
be capable of supporting the weight in any case.
You would have to be able to have instantaneous control over the rotary mower
requiring a remote camera and a hydrostatic control system for the mower.
1. cost for the power needed to run it and use a Rockford power take off.
2. much more bracing and welding adding more weight.
3. difficult to manouver and balance with machines center of gravity.
4. easier to tip over if turned to fast as the tail will be wagging the tractor.
5 two gearboxes needed to transmit power to the mower OR a massive number of belts to deliver power through multiple pulleys that would require belt guard covers.