Tow behind-"self" powered rough cut mower

[erda]

So, I was thinking about buying a rough cut mower, and got to thinking that a ditch that I need to mow, might be too steep to safely mow.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with one of the tow behind rough cuts that is self powered-ie Swisher, Swisher, Kunz. How well do they track off set, and on a slope? Do they do an adequate job?

 

[twoodard04]

I bought a used Swisher 44" 12.5 HP a few years ago. I borrowed it for a few years before that to make/ maintain hunting trails. Pull it with a 400 4x4 big bear. It think it cuts good for what it is. I have stalled it out on heavy grass, like tall hay lot type stuff but no I know how to attack even that and nock it down. If my wheeler will driver over it it will cut. As for offsets it works good but I have no experience dragging it through a ditch like your talking. With enough tow rig weight I'm sure it would work. I have been keeping up the edge of our drive and the wetter spots on out new property with it. Mowed this last week then hit it again today a bit lower. This is thick stuff. Don't look back at it to much while mowing. Even with the guard stuff can fly out the front.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I have a Fuerst mower. (no longer in business) It has bushhog swing out type blades. Cuts grass rough. I use it for woods trails where it does a good job. I looked at the Swishers and thought that they were way to spindly and light to hold up to rough work especially on an offset situation. They look like they are made for flat lawns but you could always beef them up.

I mow some steep road side ditch banks where I can barely stay on the wheeler and the mower slides down hill a little but not bad at all. Tracks pretty well actually.







gg

 

[Jkott]

I've had a swisher rough cut mower for about 9 year to maintain trails at my cabin. It tracks quite well when offset and has been very reliable. Mowing with a belt drive atv is rather hard on the atv. The transmission on my Polaris gets so hot I have to wear an insulated sock to keep from burning my leg.

My only two complaints are the hitch is overly complicated. It's intent is to be able to adjust it to any situation, but it means needing tools to hook it up and disconnect from the atv. I took most of the complications off and put a 2" receiver on an attachment I made to get the right height.

The second complaint is how the blades mount. They didn't sleeve the bolt that holds the blade on, and instead make you very carefully adjust the bolt and nut together so there is enough play on the blade every time you change blades to sharpen them so they float free and they break away when you hit a rock.

Because it has only middle mounted wheels and level is based off the height of he atv hitch, you won't get manicured cuts unless he ground is level. Any hits or bumps that lift the atv will change the angle of the blades. Unlike a 3 pt mower, you can't adjust front dynamically when coming to a hill or ditch. If it's enough variation, it just drags on the front skids or pulls rough the ground.