Tractor Causing Stress on Neck

[DanielDD]

Looking for suggestions, if there are any. I've had 2 tractors in the past, both of them are gone now. I am contemplating my next purchase, but I fear there is no good solution. 1st tractor had a 6 foot brush hog and I found myself turning my neck way too much trying to keep the cutter in line with the last pass so as to not leave anything uncut. 2nd tractor was much larger with a 12 foot flex wing. I had mirrors on that tractor which helped, unless I got too close to the trees and it would knock the mirrors out of whack - so that didn't help much.

4 years ago I had neck surgery, so I've got a fusion already on 2 vertebrae in my neck. I'm not willing to stress my neck just so I can keep my fields cut. I already have them cut for hay twice a year, so the only time I really have to brush hog is once during the year after the 1st frost. I have hired out someone to cut in the past, but it costs me at least $1K every time, and that's if I can find someone to do it.

Ideally, it would be nice to have a setup where the cutter is on the front instead of in the back but I don't know of any US tractors that have a front mounted PTO. The other option is a skid steer, which would be nice, but they are extremely expensive as are the cutter attachments.

We are new to the farming community and I've talked to alot of the farmers around here and was surprised to learn many of the older ones have neck and back issues. I don't want to be another statistic, so I either need to find something that cuts in the front or pay someone to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Topzide]

I would suggest getting a camera and monitor setup. You could mount camera on tractor behind seat or in cab if equipped. Monitor can be mounted wherever works the beat for you. That to me would allow you to keep an eye on things without having to look over your shoulder.

 

[ericm979]

Once you know where the mower is in relation to the tractor you can pretty accurately mow consecutive straight rows. Maybe you'll have a little more overlap than optimal but that's ok. Turns and mowing around fences or trees would be tough without turning around or a good rear facing camera system.

Kubota offers a quick change front mount with PTO for some of their CUTS that looks really slick but probably costs a lot. A couple people here have made their own front PTO for driving a snow blower but you'd be fabricating a lot of parts.

 

[AndyMA]

I know where the mower edge is relative to front tire. I rarely ever look back. However I did get rid of a rear mounted snow blower due to neck strain.

Andy

 

[2manyrocks]

If your tractor has enough hydraulic flow, this is a front mount tractor mower. Lane Shark - Lane Shark

The other thing is fields are pretty bumpy and it's really important to have a suspension seat to absorb the jolts.

Another front mount mower option would be to get either a Steiner or Ventrac with a front mount rough cut mower.

 

[jeff9366]

Ventrac is part of Toro.

YouTube videos:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ventrac+mowing

 

[usmron]

Looking for suggestions, if there are any. I've had 2 tractors in the past, both of them are gone now. I am contemplating my next purchase, but I fear there is no good solution. 1st tractor had a 6 foot brush hog and I found myself turning my neck way too much trying to keep the cutter in line with the last pass so as to not leave anything uncut. 2nd tractor was much larger with a 12 foot flex wing. I had mirrors on that tractor which helped, unless I got too close to the trees and it would knock the mirrors out of whack - so that didn't help much.

4 years ago I had neck surgery, so I've got a fusion already on 2 vertebrae in my neck. I'm not willing to stress my neck just so I can keep my fields cut. I already have them cut for hay twice a year, so the only time I really have to brush hog is once during the year after the 1st frost. I have hired out someone to cut in the past, but it costs me at least $1K every time, and that's if I can find someone to do it.

Ideally, it would be nice to have a setup where the cutter is on the front instead of in the back but I don't know of any US tractors that have a front mounted PTO. The other option is a skid steer, which would be nice, but they are extremely expensive as are the cutter attachments.

We are new to the farming community and I've talked to alot of the farmers around here and was surprised to learn many of the older ones have neck and back issues. I don't want to be another statistic, so I either need to find something that cuts in the front or pay someone to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I do know that john deere's new tractors, the big ones have the seat that rotates around so that you can see without turning your neck.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looking for suggestions, if there are any. I've had 2 tractors in the past, both of them are gone now. I am contemplating my next purchase, but I fear there is no good solution. 1st tractor had a 6 foot brush hog and I found myself turning my neck way too much trying to keep the cutter in line with the last pass so as to not leave anything uncut. 2nd tractor was much larger with a 12 foot flex wing. I had mirrors on that tractor which helped, unless I got too close to the trees and it would knock the mirrors out of whack - so that didn't help much.

4 years ago I had neck surgery, so I've got a fusion already on 2 vertebrae in my neck. I'm not willing to stress my neck just so I can keep my fields cut. I already have them cut for hay twice a year, so the only time I really have to brush hog is once during the year after the 1st frost. I have hired out someone to cut in the past, but it costs me at least $1K every time, and that's if I can find someone to do it.

Ideally, it would be nice to have a setup where the cutter is on the front instead of in the back but I don't know of any US tractors that have a front mounted PTO. The other option is a skid steer, which would be nice, but they are extremely expensive as are the cutter attachments.

We are new to the farming community and I've talked to alot of the farmers around here and was surprised to learn many of the older ones have neck and back issues. I don't want to be another statistic, so I either need to find something that cuts in the front or pay someone to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have neck issues from turning my head so much and previous sports injuries, I went and bought a tractor with a front 3point/PTO and put the hay mower out front. Has really helped.

 

[ptsg]

Antonio Carraro tractor with the reversible platform could be another option.

 

[Hay Dude]

I might be buying this tractor, but I’m not crazy about it. Has front 3 point/PTO and a quicke loader.

 

[dieselscout80]

I have neck issues from turning my head so much, I went and bought a tractor with a front 3point/PTO and put the hay mower out front. Has really helped.

View attachment 802383

View attachment 802384

Now you need two mowers on the rear that are wings for that to get to say 30’ of cutting width.

 

[duffer]

Sounds like you'll be leaning toward a higher HP tractor (> 50 hp). I would think you could find one that would allow the installation of one of the rotating seats used on the larger farm tractors. Probably easier to find that, than a front PTO and 3 pt hitch setup.

 

[Thomas]

Can swirl seat be install turn least 12 degrees?

 

[John0829]

I have had several neck and back surgeries so turning around to look behind ain't gonna happen, I also have to wear a neck brace when mowing with either the ZT or tractor. I mow often with one or the other of my tractors and know where the cutter follows in relation to the tractor tires. Once you know this with a 3 point, where you lead, its HAS to follow. IF I happen to miss a bit I simply go back over when finished but cannot remember the last time I missed a strip.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I too, "know" where my cutter is tracking compared to my wheel tracks.

But I can see where the OP would be talking about when he has to back in or around obstacles, trees, gates, etc. I do spend most of my mowing time looking forward, but there are always those times you have to look backwards as you back into or around things.

I think that is what the OP is concerned about.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I don't hardly ever look back. Especially when cutting hay or a pasture. One thing that does help is to turn your head hard to the left every once in a while. Too much turning right makes your neck sore. I've been on machines with mirrors and cameras. They do help.

 

[oosik]

I could see it coming. I had a 3-point snow blower for my Ford 1700. At the end - it would take three or four days for my neck/shoulders to return to normal. I upgraded to a brand new Kubota M6040 and a heavy duty rear blade.

No more looking back. Just drop the blade and go like smoke and oakum.

 

[ericm979]

There are SSQA to three point adapters that you could put a rotary cutter on. So then you'd need a way to drive the mower. The tractor hydraulics are not sufficient but maybe a PTO driven hydraulic power pack on the back, some big hoses running up front and a motor mounted on the mower would do.


There's also the lane shark and a few copies: Lane Shark - Lane Shark
They run off the tractor's hydraulics so they will not have the power of a PTO driven mower but might be fine for trimming.

 

[Smokeydog]

United Pacific Stainless Steel Rectangular Convex Mirror w/U-Bracket for Cars, Trucks, Boats, Tractors, Forklifts, Improves Visibility – 1 Unit https://a.co/d/flHNi9x

These mirrors help me see behind the tractor. Had not manage to break one yet.

 

[5030]

Nothing beats a good air ride seat with adjustments for forward and backward travel plus lumbar.