is it possible to mow with small pto groove

[bean 85]

just a quick question. I was thinking about using the small pulley on the pto to take a little stress off of the 8hp. it will slow the deck down 25%(I think). I mow in 2nd and the combination of the tractor speed and the deck speed is putting the 8hp at its limit.

if the small pto pulley will work without alignment issues, I will try it first.

I also thought about installing a larger trans pulley, to slow it down 20%

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,277]

What size deck? A 36" is the best for an 8hp machine although plenty of guys use a 42"er I think they are just working the 8 to hard and are heading for premature engine failure.

I suppose it will work on the smaller pulley but dont let the grass get long and dont mow it wet.

Another thing to check is that your 8 is getting up to full RPM's which is 3600. If your R's are lower than 3600 your 8 is more than likely only producing 6-7hp.

Mike...........

[bean 85]

it is a 42" deck. the 8hp gets it done, but it takes all thaat it has . I like to mow in 2nd, which is a little too fast. first gear is so slow, glaciers are passing me up.

so, maybe a pulley swap to slow down 20%? I have no problem with power, mowing in 1st gear.

[tunahead72 2,553]

My gut tells me that Mike (Sparky) is right.

I sometimes feel like my 10 HP Kohler K241's don't really have enough power for the 42" decks they're hooked to, but they generally do all right. At least Wheel Horse offered that combination from the factory.

For comparison, I have a manufacturer's brochure for the 1986 model tractors and riders. For the 8 HP 308-8, the only mowers offered were a 36" rear discharge and a 37" side discharge. The 42" decks were only available on tractors with at least 10 HP.

What tractor is this mower mounted on?

[bean 85]

it's on either a 310-8 or a '73 8hp. the 310 does most of the mowing. I just like to take the 8hp for a spin now and then.

I am getting ready to put the clevis hitch, off of the 8hp, onto the 310. it will be the full time tractor. gardening, mowing, snow removal, etc

the 8hp is on tthe way out, as much as I hate to say it. :crying-blue:

[can whlvr 994]

i think you can mow with the outer pullie but it doesnt cut as well,slower means less times it passes over the area,my 308 came with a 42 and i blew up that motor years ago,the dealer should never have sold me that,but i still have the tractor with a much larger engine

[MalMac 1,332]

A 42 is too much deck for a 8hp. You should use your bigger in side pulley. The belts, quality of cut, wear and tear on the engine was all designed at running full throttle 3600 rpm. If the cut gets too much on the engine than you need to change your ground speed. If your going to use a 42 high rpm and slow ground speed is the only way to do it with the least amount of wear and tear on the engine and everything else. I know I get upset with the engineers that design these things from time to time. This I think they got right. They came out with power ratios to deck size for a reason. The engine size, deck size, ground speed, belts, type of blade all have to work together in a mathematical formula to gain the most efficient cut. Oh you can play around and vary things up from time to time. I am guilty of that. But when it comes right down to it when you have to over worked a piece of equipment eventually you will pay the price. Now that I am done running my mouth I will get off my soapbox. If I were you change to a smaller deck or step up the HP.

[dsholler 54]

I was using the outer pulley on my 414 w 48 inch deck. When I switched to the inner, the quality of the cut was tremendously improved. It works on the outer, but I don't think you will like the result.