Upgrading to a mechanical PTO?

[BruceK 2]

Can I pick some brains please? It's just a thought at this stage but I'm wondering whether I could upgrade my C161 so I can get rid of my old Ferguson TEF tractor and topper to save on space and tidy up my outdoor area a bit. The trouble is I need to regularly cut a 2 acre paddock so want to be able to tow a decent finishing mower like a 4ft Wessex or something similar. Has anyone tried fitting a mechanical PTO to an old machine like this or will I have to stick to a self-powered tow-behind mower for the rough work? I could investigate putting in a more powerful engine if I can find one. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks in advance

[953 nut 60,013]

Wheel Horse did have a mechanicaql PTO adapter made by another manufacturer that would operate stationary equipment but it would not be able to operate a tow-behind mower.

 

[ebinmaine 72,675]

I'm certainly not very familiar with using a Wheelhorse for mowing. 

What would be the difference between having a 48" tow behind vs a 48" mowing deck on the tractor? 

[BruceK 2]

Thankyou for the ese details 953 nut. It's amazing just how much stuff they made. Puts my little lot to shame. A friend and I have built a 4ft tow-behind mower powered by a B & S 8hp which works well on shorter grass but it struggles and conks out with the long stuff. Maybe I should just put a larger motor on that. I guess one way might be to power up a hydraulic unit to drive the blades instead of the B & S.                           I have, however, just found this advert on Marketplace for a D200 which includes a PTO driven cutting deck. Bit expensive at £2,900 but still interesting.

[ebinmaine 72,675]

1 hour ago, BruceK said:

A friend and I have built a 4ft tow-behind mower powered by a B & S 8hp which works well on shorter grass but it struggles and conks out with the long stuff. Maybe I should just put a larger motor on that

 

 

Depending on the cost of the replacement engine, this might be your easiest and most economical way to go.

[Pullstart 66,755]

1 hour ago, BruceK said:

A friend and I have built a 4ft tow-behind mower powered by a B & S 8hp which works well on shorter grass but it struggles and conks out with the long stuff. Maybe I should just put a larger motor on that.

 

The C-81 could power a 36” deck with similar results.  That was 8 hp.  I wouldn’t try a 48” with that though.  On the other hand, I’ve run a 36” tiller with my 8 hp 502… it just was not ideal.

[953 nut 60,013]

1 hour ago, BruceK said:

just found this advert on Marketplace for a D200 which includes a PTO driven cutting deck

The "D" models were well equiped for the situation you have. The PTO is engineered into the tractor rather than being an add-on and they are a much more robust unit overall.