Self-powered Pull Behind Rough Cut Mower

[KennK]

I've decided** to get myself a 57" rough cut self-powered pull behind mower from Kunz Engineering. They are made somewhat locally (north central Illinois) and appear to be very well made.

Question 1: Which engine would you recommend? (I know nothing about engines)

They come with either a 22 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek twin cylinder engine or a 20 HP Kohler Command twin cylinder engine.

Kunz has told me that the B&S engine should last 500-1000 hours of use, while the Kohler engine will last well over 5000 hours, BUT the Kohler costs $1000 more than the B&S. My wife thinks that the 500-1000 hours might last us as long as needed, but I'm worried about reliability. Eventually I hope to use it along with a rear-mounted rough cut mower on my JD 3320 - to speed up mowing.


Question 2: If I go with the Kohler engine, I need to choose between a manual clutch and an electronic clutch for engaging the blade belt(s). Which would you recommend?

I know a few of my more expensive John Deere tractors with belly mowers (an old 425 and my 3320) had/have electronic clutches, while my cheaper Home Depot style 125 has a manual clutch ... and every time I engage the manual I hear the shreaking of the belt grabbing hold (even at fairly low RPM) and I just shutter. It makes me lean toward the electronic hoping that it might lower wear on the belt(s).

**BTW, the reason I'm buying this is that I just bought some land about 6 hrs north of where I live that eventually my wife & I will retire to. We'll visit about once/month and figure we'll use the pull behind mower with an ATV to keep some existing pasture areas from turning into a jungle. I have a fairly new Honda Rincon w/ the automatic transmission. Using the ATV prevents me from having to buy a second tractor for the new property - and I don't want to trailer my JD 3320 6 hours on a monthly basis.

Thanks,

Ken

 

[jenkinsph]

I have several Kohler motors and really like them but $1,000 is a lot of difference. If you think about usage of 7 to 8 weekends a year it will take quite some time to rack up the 500 hours. I am willing to bet that before that happens you will have a second tractor to handle other tasks. In this case I think you would be better of with the more limited investment. Further, once you have a nice tractor you will find it hard to be satisfied with using the ATV for similar chores.


Steve

 

[roamerr]

Get the Briggs. The Briggs will outlast the need for the mower. I would say the Briggs should last over 1000 hours with filter and fluid changes annually -- the Intek engine has full pressure lube with spin-on filter. If you used the mower 50 hours a year I would really be shocked. Roughcut pull behind mowers tend to be used far less than you would think. You can mow roughly 2 acres an hour with the 57".

I have a Swisher 60" and it works well but not nearly as good as the Kubota BX I purchased later. I have a Can-am Outlander 800 and a Yamaha Rhino 660 and while they pull the Swisher fine there is no replacement for a tractor.

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engine_power/engine_details.aspx?pid=44