Home made pull behind mower

[macman81]

I have a very beat up old 50c mower deck, a 14 horse vanguard that doesn't belong in a Cub Cadet, and a 1650 frame. I have absolutely no use for.

how about a pull behind mower?!


I've been dreaming this up for two year and am finally going to do it. I'll pull it behind my 782. I can tee into the deck lift so both decks go up and down together and tee into the front aux hydraulics to swing the hitch so I can pull behind when transporting.

This is the rough mock up so any input would be appreciated.

[Yosemite Sam]

I fear that towing it on just two wheels would result in a very uneven cut, casters or a front axle like an old hay wagon or gravity wagon with steering attached to the tounge would do a better job of keeping the deck level.

[CADplans]

Cub decks "hang" under the frame using the four tractor tires to "gauge" height.

My Gravely has it's own "gauge" wheels.


The Gravely works well, but, the mower gauge wheels are almost a necessity due to the L O O O O N G wheelbase of the tractor.

This one has a lot longer wheelbase than a Super. And 6 feet of cut width!!

The pictured mower deck weighs as much as a 782 with a mower, so those little tires will carry a lot of weight.



And deck gauge wheels do a nice job of cutting level, even on a slope.



Oh, yea, modify the pulleys on your new rig so the deck spins faster than a standard Cub Cadet, you will get a much nicer cut.

[macman81]

Originally Posted by CADplans

Cub decks "hang" under the frame using the four tractor tires to "gauge" height.

My Gravely has it's own "gauge" wheels.


The Gravely works well, but, the mower gauge wheels are almost a necessity due to the L O O O O N G wheelbase of the tractor.

This one has a lot longer wheelbase than a Super. And 6 feet of cut width!!

The pictured mower deck weighs as much as a 782 with a mower, so those little tires will carry a lot of weight.



And deck gauge wheels do a nice job of cutting level, even on a slope.



Oh, yea, modify the pulleys on your new rig so the deck spins faster than a standard Cub Cadet, you will get a much nicer cut.

I'm planning to put front wheels on the deck so it will float. Or do you think those caster wheels would work better?

I'm also looking for an electric pto with a six inch diameter pulley so I can speed up the deck a bit

[macman81]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

I fear that towing it on just two wheels would result in a very uneven cut, casters or a front axle like an old hay wagon or gravity wagon with steering attached to the tounge would do a better job of keeping the deck level.

I thought about front tires but then I can't swing my hitch like I wanted to.


I'm kinda using a discbine as my model to follow

[ACecil]

Looking forward to your progress!

[Sam Mac]

I have a couple 60" Swishers and for what ever it's worth the front casters work very well. I did replace the tow hitch's on them with a car style tow bar after this pic was taken.

[Berwil]

Originally Posted by macman81

I thought about front tires but then I can't swing my hitch like I wanted to.


I'm kinda using a discbine as my model to follow

I think you can do both. My experience with casters on decks is that small wheels fall into small holes while large wheels roll over top. You could put a regular front axle on it and tie the steering rod to a short tongue that is connected to a longer tongue connected to the tractor (Whew!). You can then put you swing cylinder between the longer tongue and tow tractor instead of tongue and implement. Do you have a rear lift or 3pt on your 782? Depending on geometry, the lower lift bracket could be your attachment point. The easiest is a drawbar between the 3 pt arms like larger machines, tongue in the center, cylinder on the side. If you don't have either, I think you can made a simple bracket to grab the rear of your machine. I sketched up something while I was sitting here, hopefully it helps (this would be if you had no lift).

[macman81]

Originally Posted by Berwil

I think you can do both. My experience with casters on decks is that small wheels fall into small holes while large wheels roll over top. You could put a regular front axle on it and tie the steering rod to a short tongue that is connected to a longer tongue connected to the tractor (Whew!). You can then put you swing cylinder between the longer tongue and tow tractor instead of tongue and implement. Do you have a rear lift or 3pt on your 782? Depending on geometry, the lower lift bracket could be your attachment point. The easiest is a drawbar between the 3 pt arms like larger machines, tongue in the center, cylinder on the side. If you don't have either, I think you can made a simple bracket to grab the rear of your machine. I sketched up something while I was sitting here, hopefully it helps (this would be if you had no lift).

very interesting design. i plan to kinda take everyone elses' ideas and mull them over then "go with my gut" and see what happens. i figured this year will be build and test and then after i get a working setup ill tear down and paint over winter. that way i can redo things and not mess up my paint.

i will post pics as i build just bought two more cubs so this got put on the back burner for a few weeks.

[Berwil]

Keep us posted, I look forward to seeing your progress.