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chesbaycruiser

Why would you want one of these?

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chesbaycruiser

I was over reading this thread about a 520 with a Front-Mounted Deck Carrier. I've seen these before and thought they were pretty cool. At first glance, I just assumed that this configuration was used to cut up closer to obstacles.

But as I look at it more closely, it doesn't really look like the difference in distance from the front of the deck to the carrier's casters is THAT much less than the distance from the front of a bottom-mount deck to the front of the tractor wheels.

I'm not knocking the setup; I still think it's cool looking and would probably jump on one if I found it. But what am I missing as to it's advantages. Is the clearance difference enough to make a sizable difference cutting around obstacles? Does it cover rough terrain better? Something else? :woohoo:

Just curious....

CB

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jusjeepn

It is great for mowing under trees. I know I have about 50 trees that I mow around and alot of them have low hanging branches which I do not want to cut because they are a wind break and also privacy. A front mount mower would save a lot of scratches on my tractors and me!

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chesbaycruiser

See, I knew there was something I wasn't thinking of! Makes good sense. :woohoo:

Thanks for the feedback 'Jeepn!!!

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smoreau

What about the edge of a steep ditch that you don't want to get too close to or a 2 rail fence. that would be nice to have for those situations also. I will jump on one if I find one cheep also.

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can whlvr

i would love to get one also as i have hundreds of trees and some steep ditches too,never seen one in person but i might fab one up someday,and you could run a grader blade while mowing :woohoo:

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546cowboy

I think I just saw one of those on Ebay.

Just checked and there is one in PA. Buy Now $399.

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C-Series14

I had one and used it some. Great for under trees, horrible for going around stuff with edging because the rear wheels will track shorter and you run over the mulch or edging area.

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DoctorHfuhruhurr

It looks easier to remove than pulling the deck out from underneath the tractor.

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C-Series14

It looks easier to remove than pulling the deck out from underneath the tractor.

It actually is...it will rotate up to get to the bottom.

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ba2988

I have one of these and I use it every week and love it. I can take it on and off the tractor in under 5 min. I wanted one because its hard for me to turn my head (and try and look behind to back up) and I feel better with the deck out front - we have kids and I'm a little paranoid of backing up while mowing. At least with the deck out front I believe I'll have enough time to stop - may run over something with the wheels but can stop before hitting em with the deck.

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CDLdrvr

As the one posting the pictures the past few days I am probably the cause for this thread LOL

Mine mows awesome in wide open areas. My property has been overgrown for several years and it has been great sending it into some pretty heavy stuff and mowing it down before the tractor and I get there. My problem lies in the rough terrain part. I do NOT like the way it performs on rough terrain. I have serious hills and ditches on my property. My other problem is that it is a bear to maneuver ... very much so in tight places. Many times I need to back up to turn because the front tires just slide.

As soon as I get the last piece I need to belly mount my deck my front carrier will be for sale. I will be asking soon for some sort of reasonable value so I can post it.

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kpinnc

May seem like a silly question, but does having the deck out front tend to throw more grass/ dust up onto the driver?

Only asking because I've been thinking of making one...

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can whlvr

ya thinking of that you woulnt want to use a rear discharge would you

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chesbaycruiser

My problem lies in the rough terrain part. I do NOT like the way it performs on rough terrain. I have serious hills and ditches on my property.

This is something I was wondering about. Does the carrier "hinge" at all where it mounts to the front tach-a-matic bracket, or is it a "rigid" mount?

If it is the latter, I would think ditches and uneven terrain would cause the deck carrier to raise-up or dig-in, depending on your angle of attack.

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CDLdrvr

I knew absolutely NOTHING about this unit when I got it. The PO did not even give me the correct belts so I had to just do a lot of head scratching and try to figure it out on my own so forgive me please if by chance I have my belt on incorrectly.

The guide pulley is attached to the front mount, while the tension pulley mounts in the middle attach a matic so I am thinking there is no other route for the belt to take. While the deck moves freely in all directions the belt does not. If you run the deck up a steep incline it pulls on the belt and causes it to rub the front axle, and it the deck goes in a deep hole (like my drainage ditch) it slacks the belt so it comes off or slips due to lack of tension.

Yes I gag on a lot of dust and clippings, but then my yard was very overgrown, and I had not removed the chute extender.

Another thing I forgot to mention in my previous post ... whoever designed this unit put the grease fittings on the leading edge of the castor shafts so they are the first thing impacted if you hit something. It seems they would be prone to breaking off?

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