handirifle
Veteran Member
In searching for a suitable mower for my 3 acres, during the earlier months of the year, it seems 4WD is almost a necessity. I have a 4WD tractor, but it has R1 tires on it and I spend more time unsticking it with my truck, than it's worth, at least as a mower.
I have a 20hp riding mower, but being the typical 2WD (or one as is REALLY the case) it can and does get stuck in some of my marshier areas.
I have priced the Kubota BX line, and new ones are out of my reach, and used ones almost are, I just can't make myself pull the trigger on one, not yet anyway. If I went that route I would replace the riding mower and my tractor (MF1010) with just one unit, not a bad way to go really.
BUT, I got to thinking (this is usually where I start getting into trouble) about the fact that no one makes a real 4WD riding mower, that is priced under 10K. seems pretty absurd to me. Plus I am pretty disgusted with all the belts one has to keep up on with a typical riding mower (I know the Kubota uses drive shafts, just bear with me)
I was wondering if one could convert a garden tractor, of say 20hp or more (gas), to run just hyd motors, that drove front and rear wheels, and the mower deck as well. Speeds need only be up to 6-8mph top, but torque needs to be high. For the blades, they would need speed and torque. This fantasy mower would have a deck in the 52-54" range also.
I understand how hydraulics work, and their basics, but would have no idea what motors I'd need, or flow rates. I see motor prices are all over the place.
Would one motor drive the rear alone, or would you need two. I know the front would most likely need one per wheel, as that seems simpler than setting up a differential.
Is this idea even feasible? Why haven't manufacturers gone this route before?
I have a 20hp riding mower, but being the typical 2WD (or one as is REALLY the case) it can and does get stuck in some of my marshier areas.
I have priced the Kubota BX line, and new ones are out of my reach, and used ones almost are, I just can't make myself pull the trigger on one, not yet anyway. If I went that route I would replace the riding mower and my tractor (MF1010) with just one unit, not a bad way to go really.
BUT, I got to thinking (this is usually where I start getting into trouble) about the fact that no one makes a real 4WD riding mower, that is priced under 10K. seems pretty absurd to me. Plus I am pretty disgusted with all the belts one has to keep up on with a typical riding mower (I know the Kubota uses drive shafts, just bear with me)
I was wondering if one could convert a garden tractor, of say 20hp or more (gas), to run just hyd motors, that drove front and rear wheels, and the mower deck as well. Speeds need only be up to 6-8mph top, but torque needs to be high. For the blades, they would need speed and torque. This fantasy mower would have a deck in the 52-54" range also.
I understand how hydraulics work, and their basics, but would have no idea what motors I'd need, or flow rates. I see motor prices are all over the place.
Would one motor drive the rear alone, or would you need two. I know the front would most likely need one per wheel, as that seems simpler than setting up a differential.
Is this idea even feasible? Why haven't manufacturers gone this route before?
