PT1850 Mulcing Blade Options?

[BWSwamper]

I recall reading a thread in this forum on mulching blade options for the PT1850 rough cut mower. However, I can't find the references. Does anyone have any info?

The mower seems to work great in "bush hog" type applications, but when I mow taller regular grass it tends to lay it down like a hay mower.

 

[agjones]

Hi, I don't mow with my 1850 so I can't directly answer that question but... I've mowed a lot and usually need to sharpen, slow down and increase the cut height a bit to avoid lay down and windows (like hay). Keeping the blade tip speed up is the key and it can be frustrating to go as slow as is required to do that in tall, thick or wet conditions.

A flail type mower can overcome this to an extent and it is often a better choice than rotary in these conditions. Also responds better to hitting stuff you can't see in tall grass/weeds.

Here's a couple of pics of the tractor mulcher I've just adapted to hydraulic for the PT 1850. Fh-d160 from betstco.com.

 

[agjones]

That upside down part was hairy... But the PT handled it. :thumbsup:

 

[BWSwamper]

I was actually thinking about a small forestry mulcher style attachment - which is pretty close to what you have there. Did you post on your conversion process?

 

[woodlandfarms]

So the 1850 has an option for a "Grass" style blade, basically a round disk with 4 mower blades attached to it for each spinde. Spindle is not changed.

I have thought of building one but have not got around to it Suction is an important factor of a mulching mower (Sucking the grass up) and at the end of the day the PT mower has no baffling design to suck up the grass. So in the end not sure if it would be a very good mulcher, as noted you might have better luck with a flail.

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: I find on my 1445 that when the grass starts getting longer, it is a sign to resharpen the blades. When they are sharp, nothing is much longer than 3-4".

All the best, Peter

 

[agjones]

Haven't posted anything yet other than some questions before I tried it ... Just wrapped up testing today. And worked out the last adaptation bugs.

I'll be posting a write up asap.