1986 - Volume #10, Issue #4, Page #16
[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story
| Read this issue]
New Style 'Mower Cycle' Tailor-Made For Slopes
![]() |
![]() |
This amazing "motorcycle that mows grass" is equipped with a 36-in. floating deck on each side, each of which operates independently at an angle of up to 30 degrees on either the "up" or "down" side. On a steep 30 degree slope, for example, one deck tilts up to mow the high side, the other tilts down to mow the low side, and the two-wheel cylinder itself automatically self-levels, via a built-in sensing system, to stay perfectly perpendicular at all times. In valleys, both decks simultaneously tilt up to 30 degrees.
The floating decks are each equipped with a single 36 in. blade. The blades are timed and overlap 2 in., allowing the Mower Cycle to cut a full 70 in. wide swath over hills and valleys without any skips or misses. Either deck can be raised hydraulically at the flick of a lever, making it easy to get underneath to work on the blades. They're driven by a combination pto, gear box and V-belt assembly.
The first-of-its kind mower features power steering and hydrostatic drive. Travel speed is infinitely variable up to 12.5 mph. "Although the decks could be removed and the cycle operated independently as a 2-wheel motorcycle, it wasn't designed for this type of dual use," says Delmar Hostetler, manufacturer.
Other features include a 20 hp Onan engine, 23 by 8.4 tires, an upholstered and adjustable seat, and an electric clutch-brake system. If the operator leaves the seat with the blades rotating at top speed, they automatically stop in 3 or 4 seconds.
The new-style Mower Cycle retails for $9,900. "That's less than conventional slope mowers we've priced and they don't have as many features as ours," says Hostetler who has begun marketing a limited initial production run of 10 machines.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, DewEze Mfg., East U.S. 160, Harper Kan. 37058 (ph 800 835-1042; 316 896-7381 in Kansas).
![](/img/download-story.png)
Click here to download page story appeared in.
![](/img/entire-issue.png)
Click here to read entire issue
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.