Rotary Cutter Scalping problem 72 bush hog, can i add front wheels?

[IslandTractor]

That's what I meant. I can't figure out why it's doing that to you...Do you mow with your bucket attached? I'm wondering if maybe your tractor is leaning in the turns...?

I do leave the FEL on while mowing but I don't mow fast enough to imagine my tractor leaning in turns.

 

[runwme]

He is corrrect, I am just floating it.... My cylinders arent putting up or down pressure... they move freely with no resistance. Basically I am just pulling it around by lower 2 mounts and leaving the top connected incase i do want to lift it when crossing road or rock path.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Ok, so I was out mowing today and at a regular customer (meaning twice a year, doesn't grow all that much out here) and he wanted it low. I could set it low because I know there's nothing in his little acre.
I started doing what you are doing. (skidding on the turns)
It's just too low, I picked up the 3point about 1/2 an inch, no more problem.
Cut probably 3" high or so.
If you want lower than that, you need to get a finish mower.

 

[bjcsc]

I think I agree with you. To get it lower than that (3" or so), you've got to lower the tail wheel and raise the front. If you are always mowing the same area, and you know it's clear, runwme's wheels would be fine, too. But I think you can get it without them. Find the minimum height the front can be and not gouge. Then get the rest from the tailwheel. See if that solves the problem and gives you a satisfactory cut...

 

[IslandTractor]

Ok, so I was out mowing today and at a regular customer (meaning twice a year, doesn't grow all that much out here) and he wanted it low. I could set it low because I know there's nothing in his little acre.
I started doing what you are doing. (skidding on the turns)
It's just too low, I picked up the 3point about 1/2 an inch, no more problem.
Cut probably 3" high or so.
If you want lower than that, you need to get a finish mower.

Well, it is helpful and interesting to me that someone who mows for a living, and therefore clearly knows how to adjust the equipment, can still have this "plowing" issue. I accept your point that there is a minimum reliable safe cut with a rotary cutter that may be less than the manufacturer states. I would be happy with a 3"-4" cut though but I have the problem (intermittently) even at that height. I suppose the terrain may play some role in this as well as I am not mowing flat pastures and with lumpy turf and a relatively narrow track, tilting of the tractor might also play a role.

 

[JerryG]

Identical measurements when I checked.

Well, that eliminated one more possible.

 

[JerryG]

Ed,
You might try what I think I am going to do if I keep the mower that I have or on the next if I trade. I am going to take some 2.5-3" heavy wall pipe and slit it, then slip it over the existing skid and weld it on. That way there won't be a sharp edge to catch on anything. Of course the front would have to be bent or cut and welded at an angle but I think you will more than likely see what I am talking about.

 

[runwme]

Ed,
You might try what I think I am going to do if I keep the mower that I have or on the next if I trade. I am going to take some 2.5-3" heavy wall pipe and slit it, then slip it over the existing skid and weld it on. .

That sounds like a good idea... Would you take the pipe and bend in U and weld it front and sides? That seems like it would be a very inexpensive way to eliminate the intermittent gouging if running deck height below 4inches

 

[JerryG]

That sounds like a good idea... Would you take the pipe and bend in U and weld it front and sides? That seems like it would be a very inexpensive way to eliminate the intermittent gouging if running deck height below 4inches

I was going to just cut a slit down the pipe along it's length and slide it over the existing skids on the sides only, then weld it to the sides of the mower. It would hang on everything if it was across the front even though it round in profile. By doing it this way, the cross section profile of the pipe would slide over a lot more without cutting in or hanging than the sharp edges of factory skid.

 

[greg_g]

I was going to just cut a slit down the pipe along it's length and slide it over the existing skids on the sides only..

Sounds self-defeating to me. In effect you're causing sides of the mower to be even closer to the ground. Can't help but think that such a modification would increase the frequency of ground contact. I think all you'll end up with is a different looking series of divots.

//greg//