Mowing

[jshbryan]

I have a 6' HD rotary cutter that does wonders in the real heavy brushy stuff. And while I do not expect a finishing mower look to its cut, I am a little dissapointed at how it does in my open pasture areas. The closest cut I can get is about 6". Any lower than that and the mower turns into a plow... the front shoes will dig in real bad making the pasture look terrible.

Are there any modifications I can make that will allow me to mow the real heavy stuff and get a closer cut in the more tame areas?

 

[jshbryan]

BTW: I have adjusted the top link and rear guide wheels in every possible configuration and I just can't get what I am looking for. Am I asking to much of this mower?

 

[HomeBrew2]

I keep mine chained up to desired front height. (Chains run from lower links to tractor frame, kindof near where top link attaches). I use carribeaners o attach so changing height is easy, link by link.

 

[teg]

Do you have a photo of the feild? That might tell us that that's as good as it gets (or not).

 

[thatguy]

Im taking a WAG - Couldnt you adjust the rear wheels so the body is closer to the ground. That would get it running more level, but could also require more HP than having the rear higher..

good luck

Brian

 

[jshbryan]

Do you have a photo of the feild? That might tell us that that's as good as it gets (or not).

Ask and ye shall receive. This area was mowed this morning.

As for raising the gauge wheels, if I do so, it is a counter effect. The rear will then dig/plow into any unlevel area.

 

[heymack]

That looks to be about as good as it's gonna get, although it looks like it's gouging at the turn. Maybe try taking turns a bit slower.

 

[jshbryan]

That looks to be about as good as it's gonna get, although it looks like it's gouging at the turn. Maybe try taking turns a bit slower.

So is there a rotary cutter in between what I have and a finishing mower? To me it just looks bad. When I drive around and see what other people places look like that are cut with rotary cutters there is no comparison.

 

[dentonsisk]

I have a simmilar situation in that I bought a heavy duty king kutter with dual rear wheels like yours to clean up the place. After cleaning up the place I find that I need a finish mower but will get drilled in a trade. So I started experimenting with different deck angles and such. I have thought of adding some HD casters to the front of the deck to stop the front gouging but haven't had the time. Still believe it would help.

One thing that did help a lot was sharpening the blade much sharper than the rotary cutter would normally have or need. That really helped the cut more than I had been told previously. Still the HD cutter is really heavy and will gouge if it hits the ground.

I have found a sweet spot where the there is a tradeoff between good cut and good time. I can't seem to get both. I normally run in 4L (Kubota M4700) and usually keep the engine well below PTO speed. It still gives good blade speed with the sharp blades. I can't identify your grass but I have generally fescue and clover.

I think it will work if you keep tweaking. If you do decide to add casters please let us know how that works and I'll do the same. ds

 

[wushaw]

Looks like your cutting the winter/spring grass that shows up this time of year that everybody will hay shortly, as far as cutting it with a rotary cutter, I will have to agree with ya on how bad it will look, I can't get a good cut out of mine either....it does more laying it over than cutting, I gave up on sharpening the blades so I just knock down the tall stuff then hit it with my ZTR the following week.