2011 - Volume #35, Issue #1, Page #34
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Belly-Mount Mower Transformed To Front-Mount
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The Elizabeth, Minn., truck driver built a frame to attach the mower to the front of the garden tractor using part of the tractor's front quick hitch. He made push rods out of two 5/8-in. bolts by welding pieces of pipe to fit on the quick hitch pipe (3/4-in.) and the mower deck (5/8-in.). He added a piece of angle iron and a chain to lift the back with hydraulics when he wants to transport the mower and save the wheels.
He gained better maneuverability ù and strength ù by adding four pivot wheels for the front and back. He bolted angle iron to each corner of the mower to support the wheels.
"This is a prototype," Rocholl says, noting that even though he doubled up the angle iron on the back, it's not quite strong enough to support the wheels. He plans to replace it with square tubing.
"One feature I like is that I can pick up the mower deck in front to 45 degrees to clean the blades," Rocholl says. "The more I use it the more I like it."
He mows all the way around trees by going forward and reverse from two directions. He's far enough away to avoid all limbs, including low limbs of evergreen trees.
"This hitch could be used on any Deere with a pto-driven mower deck," Rocholl says, adding he is considering making kits to sell. "I didn't alter the mower deck except for drilling holes, so it can be converted back to a belly mount."
He also modified a dozer blade to slip on the front. He removed the arms and placed a bar across the quick hitch mount to support the blade. He uses it to grade his alley and driveway.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Carl Rocholl, 103 E. Washington, Elizabeth, Minn. 56533 (ph 218 739-2581; rrocholl@prtel.com).
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