This worked pretty well. I kept the Jacobsen in low range the whole time, hopefully saving load overall on that tiny transmission output, and finished my first mow with this setup about half an hour quicker than usual. Done right, I bet I can get to 2hr instead of 2:45-3.
I need to make some adjustments and deck repairs. It operates fully on its own, hydrostatic drive. The oil looked like SHIT: very shiny. So maybe the Kohler is on its way out, maybe just neglected. I have changed it twice now. Splash lube/ no filter.
I picked it up CHEAP along with another similar unit (belt drive, not hydrostatic, but deck is perfect). I don’t think I could run with two of these at once without impressive complexity, so I’ll get the other running and probably sell whichever goes first. Turning left moves the towed mower off track quickly and leaves a stripe. If I wanted to run two wings like this I’d need to make a compensator of some sort to adjust track of the rear decks to compensate for the steering.
To run further forward in the middle of the wheelbase where off-tracking wouldn’t be an issue, all 4 wheels must be swivel casters. To do that, I could absolutely use these decks but in that case I’d want to drive them with two more hydraulic motors like the front deck. I don’t think I have the flow to do that and I don’t think I have an easy option to get more hydraulic power. I see very clearly why the machines with wing mowers are twice or more the size of this one.
