Disc Mower Caddy - Anybody using them

ddivinia · Jun 7, 2006

The biggest reason I am looking at one is hook up and storage. I am looking at 9' disc mower and I have heard stories about how hard they are to attach. Also, I want to store it in my barn. I figure that being able to roll it into a corner or move it out of my way would be slick.

How much do they run?

Thanks,
D.

ddivinia · Jun 7, 2006

The biggest reason I am looking at one is hook up and storage. I am looking at 9' disc mower and I have heard stories about how hard they are to attach. Also, I want to store it in my barn. I figure that being able to roll it into a corner or move it out of my way would be slick.

How much do they run?

Thanks,
D.

jimg · Jun 8, 2006

Thanx...again how much do they cost?? Guess I have one more q...ccm posted a pic of a pull behind which look pretty good to. How much is it compared to a mower + caddy? It seems that the mower and caddy would be most flexible as the mower could be dismounted and used in tighter places. Any thoughts on pros/cons or these rigs?

jimg · Jun 8, 2006

Thanx...again how much do they cost?? Guess I have one more q...ccm posted a pic of a pull behind which look pretty good to. How much is it compared to a mower + caddy? It seems that the mower and caddy would be most flexible as the mower could be dismounted and used in tighter places. Any thoughts on pros/cons or these rigs?

farmerjim · Jun 8, 2006

looks like i was thinking of something totally different than what you were talking about.i thought you were talking about a caddy for a discbine.

farmerjim · Jun 8, 2006

looks like i was thinking of something totally different than what you were talking about.i thought you were talking about a caddy for a discbine.

jwcinpk · Jun 8, 2006

( Not all MFG's disc mowers are as hard to hook up to a 3 point hitch as a Fort disc mower. The key to easy hook 3 point hook-up with any MFG's disc mower is how the disc mower is unhitched. If you will unhitch your mower on some crates or on a hard level surface it is easier to hook-up. If you unhitch a 3 point disc mower down in uneven soft ground you have just lost up to an hour when it is time to hook up the mower again.
No question a mower caddy with a pin is much easier to hitch up too than any 3 point hitch. )
Now CCI it has never taken me anywhere near an hour to hook up my Fort. Never thought about fuel savings with a caddy. Anyone who has to mow on a hill should seriously consider one. My tractor is heavy and the disc still tries to drag it around on a hill.

jwcinpk · Jun 8, 2006

( Not all MFG's disc mowers are as hard to hook up to a 3 point hitch as a Fort disc mower. The key to easy hook 3 point hook-up with any MFG's disc mower is how the disc mower is unhitched. If you will unhitch your mower on some crates or on a hard level surface it is easier to hook-up. If you unhitch a 3 point disc mower down in uneven soft ground you have just lost up to an hour when it is time to hook up the mower again.
No question a mower caddy with a pin is much easier to hitch up too than any 3 point hitch. )
Now CCI it has never taken me anywhere near an hour to hook up my Fort. Never thought about fuel savings with a caddy. Anyone who has to mow on a hill should seriously consider one. My tractor is heavy and the disc still tries to drag it around on a hill.

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

The only reason my Fort mower is a pain to hook up is because I am using a fast hitch with 3 point arms. No side to side flexability. Other than that it is not bad to hook up at all. I don't see why a Fort would be any different than the other models.

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

The only reason my Fort mower is a pain to hook up is because I am using a fast hitch with 3 point arms. No side to side flexability. Other than that it is not bad to hook up at all. I don't see why a Fort would be any different than the other models.

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

( His answer doesnt do YOU any good, but it might be worth something to someone else.

When people cannot or do not answer your questions exactly as you would have liked, dont flame them with sarcasm and bitterenss. Keep in mind that all the advice given here is free. More than likely there is someone here who can help you out if you patient and respectful. )

His answer was what it was because he doesn't sell the Fort brand mowers. The three point hook up is pretty much the same for all the manufacturers so 'YES' his answer was of little to no benefit.

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

( His answer doesnt do YOU any good, but it might be worth something to someone else.

When people cannot or do not answer your questions exactly as you would have liked, dont flame them with sarcasm and bitterenss. Keep in mind that all the advice given here is free. More than likely there is someone here who can help you out if you patient and respectful. )

His answer was what it was because he doesn't sell the Fort brand mowers. The three point hook up is pretty much the same for all the manufacturers so 'YES' his answer was of little to no benefit.

jwcinpk · Jun 8, 2006

Guys he pays to advertise here and he is a wealth of good info on lots of products. Let's cut him some slack. He is not partial to certain brands for his own reasons, as am I. I for one value his opinion!

jwcinpk · Jun 8, 2006

Guys he pays to advertise here and he is a wealth of good info on lots of products. Let's cut him some slack. He is not partial to certain brands for his own reasons, as am I. I for one value his opinion!

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

( Guys he pays to advertise here and he is a wealth of good info on lots of products. Let's cut him some slack. He is not partial to certain brands for his own reasons, as am I. I for one value his opinion! )

But that doesn't mean everyone has to agree with his opinion. I wasn't trying to sound rude.

barticus73 · Jun 8, 2006

( Guys he pays to advertise here and he is a wealth of good info on lots of products. Let's cut him some slack. He is not partial to certain brands for his own reasons, as am I. I for one value his opinion! )

But that doesn't mean everyone has to agree with his opinion. I wasn't trying to sound rude.

Renze · Jun 11, 2006

( The caddy will allow you to safely pull a larger mower with a smaller tractor. Fuel savings anyone! The tractor does not have to carry the weight of the mower which can make some tractors unstable in the hill country. )

I really dont see any of this going to work... I use a 2 meter disk mower on a Zetor 5245 or 6718, but i wouldnt hesitate to hook it up to my little 2011, even though it doesnt have the power to run it at 20 km/h like the others can.

Usually a mower is carried by its slide boots when it is in working position, not by the tractor. All the tractor has to do is keep the mower straight, because it is offset mounted aside the tractor.

If that mower caddy (weighing maybe a 1000 lbs ??) is enough to keep the mower in position without swinging the caddy away, i'm sure any tractor that can power a mower, has the inertia to keep it pulling straight.

Usually the problem with bigger mowers is lifting it off the ground on the headland. Some smaller 80 hp utility tractors tend to break the shaft that connects both short lift arms on the transmission housing, when they carried 3 meter mower conditioners folded down but just a foot off the ground, due to the torsion of the offset weight.

If the mower was really to big to carry on the 3pt lift, i'd get the pull type mower.

I dont see how a smaller tractor would result in less fuel conumption, mowers require quite some power so a smaller tractor would result in a slower working speed, so longer time to mow.

Renze · Jun 11, 2006

( The caddy will allow you to safely pull a larger mower with a smaller tractor. Fuel savings anyone! The tractor does not have to carry the weight of the mower which can make some tractors unstable in the hill country. )

I really dont see any of this going to work... I use a 2 meter disk mower on a Zetor 5245 or 6718, but i wouldnt hesitate to hook it up to my little 2011, even though it doesnt have the power to run it at 20 km/h like the others can.

Usually a mower is carried by its slide boots when it is in working position, not by the tractor. All the tractor has to do is keep the mower straight, because it is offset mounted aside the tractor.

If that mower caddy (weighing maybe a 1000 lbs ??) is enough to keep the mower in position without swinging the caddy away, i'm sure any tractor that can power a mower, has the inertia to keep it pulling straight.

Usually the problem with bigger mowers is lifting it off the ground on the headland. Some smaller 80 hp utility tractors tend to break the shaft that connects both short lift arms on the transmission housing, when they carried 3 meter mower conditioners folded down but just a foot off the ground, due to the torsion of the offset weight.

If the mower was really to big to carry on the 3pt lift, i'd get the pull type mower.

I dont see how a smaller tractor would result in less fuel conumption, mowers require quite some power so a smaller tractor would result in a slower working speed, so longer time to mow.

jwcinpk · Jun 11, 2006

I live in SE KY and it's pretty steep here. I mow with a Mahindra 6000 4x4 w/ fel and I can tell you that in spots the mower drags me where it wants to go. This being a 9ft Fort. If you happen to mow with the mower down the hill it becomes difficult to stay where you want. I for one believe that wheels on the caddy would help keep it from dragging me over the hill. The mower bar slides where as the wheels would just ride along behind me. I don't know just my thoughts, but I won't be buying one anytime soon.

Renze · Jun 11, 2006

Over here in Holland, the municipalities all use Austrian Aebi tractors with low center of gravity to mow highway on-ramp hillsides, with a front mounted mower.

I think if the mower will drag your tractor where it wants to go, where will it drag the much lighter mower caddy ??