trailmowers

[dirtTurd]

I would like some input on fine-cutt trailmowers? Which is the best brand and pros and con about it. Would i be better getting a riding mower? I will be cutting about 2.2 acres. I have not heard good or bad so any imput would be thankful.

[AltaLawnCare]

I would say do a search, but I just did looking for some of my old posts and didn't find anything. Tehy must have gotten lost in a server move.:mad:

I use my TORO as one:Trailing TORO mower (http://community.webshots.com/photo/21304823/21306332PaNkVXnZZG)

I also have a swisher tow behind - two wheels. A trail mower is only worth the trouble if pulled by a mower - four wheelers don't do too good. Also you have to have a big open field - I usually "band" the field two or three times to give room to turn around.

I'm not familiar with "fine-cutt", but my swisher was a waste of time and money.

[Albemarle Lawn]

I recently sold a JD 48" W/B with only 748 hours for $450.00 because it had a hopelessly poor gear-drive transmission.

I have a similar 54" JD with the same crappy gear drive.
Looks like its going in to my welder along with my ZTR. Going to do the same as you did.

For my big jobs I'll have 72"ZTR towing offset 54" W/B for a total of 120" Cut. (There will be some overlap).

25HP + 17HP= 42HP hitting the turf.


QUESTION: HOW DOES IT TURN? EXPLAIN!

Ken

[AltaLawnCare]

I actually copied the idea. I saw a Big JD (455or bigger??) pulling two on teh front yard of a big commercial prop.

When I get time, I'll get better pictures. The trick is the hitch hasd to "float" so it won't bind on uneven terrain. I mounted a 1-7/8" ball on the rear of teh JD and used a coupling for the end of the square tubing. On the toro, I mounted a reciever mount (from Northern Tool) bolted to it that the tubing slides into - on this end it is hinged to allow for up and down movement, this allows it to pivot freely and not bind.

To use it, I pull out two clips on the toro's belt tension drive, slide in the end of the tongue into the reciever on the toro, and latch the coupling to the JD.

It's a load on the JD pulling it, but it does OK. If I ever upgrade to a Z, all I have to do is mount a ball on the back. :D

It took some trial and error to get working.

[gorrell]

DT, I doubt if you're going to be taken very seriously with the moniker, "dirtturd". Was that the best you could do? MHO.....Lynn

[dirtTurd]

Lynn, if you don't like my screen name don't reply. Was about to go buy swisher but now i have got second thoughts.

AltaLawnCare thanks for the input.

What about Agri-fab has anyone see or have one of their trailmowers?

[AltaLawnCare]

Dirt,

What are you gonna pull it with??
The problems I have with mine are ; scalps easy, poor cut , tongue too weak, hard to match cut with front mower, too slow, spindles are D shaped rather than round (unique blades), spindles are weak, belt drive poorly designed...
Heres the swisher site, mine is the 10.5 HP 42" two wheeled version (mine is 3 years old, they've probably changed some things):Swisher Mowers (http://www.swisherinc.com/products.html)
Hope this helps.

[awm]

well dirt turd ,my take on it is that any good walkbehind
would be a good trailmower if so designated. its rough onum.
i have 10 acres and a good part was cleared with a walkbehind.
gosh i hated to do that to that mower. it took it all though and was returned to a turf mower.later now

[Ric]

Surprised that Eric has not posted a reply. Dixie makes one that is pulled by a chopper. You can 360 the chopper with it attached. I have only seen pictures of it so don't know how good it works. Northern Tool sells one but it might be the swisher. LOL

[mowingmachine]

Search the internet for trailmowers or pull behind mowers. There are several other brands out there that haven't been mentioned.

mowingmachine

[bubenberg]

see some of my other posts in the past...... under bubenberg...wing mowers ...etc

want to make money...work less hours...excellent mauverability .... get a nice cut ... get a sturdy commercial construction ... excellent manufacturing support see www.kunzeng.com

also as indicated we are mowing with two commercial acerease 57 inch each, and one 60 inch powertrac 425 and clean-up like mad ...less hours, less cost and close to 15 feet at one pasage for less than any other combination of wing mowers

easy to move in tight spots with tractor (pulling vehicle) and one wing mower from those kunz guys

[stslawncare]

why do u need it? is a walkbehind, ztr, or garden tractor not an option?

[Ric]

Billy @ Altalawn care

You can have the last laugh. I had the first one when I saw Your JD -- Toro set up. Then I looked at it a second time. WOW Am I dumb Could Not of cost $100 to set up. I am going to try it. How much over lap do you have and what have been your problems or things I should look for or do when I weld it up? I am sure you had to work out some minor details. What did you do about up and down on the tug? Does it do small hills? I will pull it with a walker so speed should not be a problem. Only turning, no zero. What kind of cut do you get? Any tricks to driving it? I have 5 yards including my own that are side by side and total about 8 ac. I have every thing except the tow bar so I should recover cost the first day I use it. Thanks for your post and picture

[Ric]

Billy

Never mind the above post I can't read either or I would of read your second post that explained all my question. Any way have a good laugh at my expense. and Thanks again.

[AltaLawnCare]

I only use it on 3 properties (one is my own).;) The hitch uses a coupling at the tractor end (1-7/8 ball mounted on JD, coupling sleeve bolted to tubing on tongue). The "Toro" end uses a hinge (up and down motion) between the tongue and a piece of square tubing which slides into a reciever mounted on the toro - a pin holds this just like the reciver on a truck. I bought these irems at Northern Tool, the square tubing from a salvage yard.

I think it did cost around $100.00 for everthing. It cuts good - I can't get to close to anything, so I only use it on big oen lots. If you use a walker, yours might trim a lot better than mine - in one direction anyway.:cool:

The biggest problem you'll have is the way the walker turns - the tail sweeps out, so when you turn the trailing mower is swing way, waaay out. You'll need some manuvering room. Backing up with the Walker will be challenge too!

I haven't put it on any hills, it's going to pull the back of the Walker down hill if it's down hill from it -walk behinds are heavy compared to the little trail mowers like the Swisher.:eek:

Most of the time the JD stays on the front of the trailer - in season I use the combo only about 6 to 8 hours per every two weeks. I do have a new account for next year that I'll use it on - one section anyway. When I get a chance, and get the Tongue sand blasted and painted) I'll post more pics.:)

[Ric]

Bill

Thank for the come back I might get a chance to work on it over thankgivening week end I' ll get my nieghbor to take some pic and post them

[DanG]

I'd be interested to to see how they work.

On the largest property that I maintain I was thinking of getting the Agri-fab 42" trail mower to tow behind my larger Z which would give about a 10' cut with the over lap.
This is alot cheaper then buying a mower just that size like the JD model or a hustler range wing.
True value near me has them on sale for $1000.00 give or take a couple dollars.
The Agri-fab and the swisher mower look almost the same except the color.

Dan G.

[Ric]

Dixie Chopper TrailMower ?????

I saw a brochure of a D/C trail mower with a goose neck type tug. The Z could 360 under the tug. I have never seen or heard of them since. Has anyone ever seen these working??? I don't think I will try this when I do my. Too much design and headache. But if they work, it would made them easier to turn.

In our area the county subs out road and rideaway. They spec finish mowing. Bids are dirt cheap/M, 40 miles of road 60 to 80 ft wide. Cut 26 times a year for $ 95,000. That is about .25/M per cut. I have seen some interesting mower set ups over the years. Bat wing Z and a bat wing motorcycle that cut banks. But mostly what I see is an other new guy going Bankrupt each year. Kitchen table millionaires.

[AltaLawnCare]

Pictures !!!

Toro Mods.... (http://community.webshots.com/album/21304110ciMjASVwIQ)


;)

[gorrell]

Ric, are you're figures correct? I came up with over $400/acre to cut the acreage you specified. If that's true, I'm moving to Florida. LOL....................Lynn

[gorrell]

No one ever accused me of being a math major. My refigures compute to around $10.75/acre. I believe one could still make money here as there is virtually no trimming and all wide open mowing. I still like the sound of $400 though...........Lynn

[Ric]

1 acre = 43560 sg ft or 43.56/M

43.56 X .25 = $ 10.89 per acre

Come on down the weather is fine

[Ric]

Lynn

The road Has a center mall about 20 ft wide with trees and shrubs and both sides have guard rails and about 25 ft of turf.

Don't forget the stop signs, trees, shrubs, and Light poles. Also remember the ditches, Drains, man hole covers, Beer bottles paper bags, tin cans, spare tires, bed mattersous that blew out of the moving truck, 2 x 4s, hidden metal objects and other junk left on the road. You have to pick up and haul away.

Also factor in Contractor Lib. Ins, Workman comp., FICA, Med care, SS, Assurety Bond. and a 60 day cash flow.

If you get the contract you can renew for one more year but the third year it must go out for bid. Historically no one has renewed their contract for a second year.

I know I can't spellll but I don't own a calulator. At my kitchen table this is not the way to win the lotto. Those who have tried to win the lotto have won chapter 7. Good Luck