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The mini tractor is a multifunctional machine. In addition to cultivating the land and transporting goods, the equipment copes with the harvesting of hay for the winter for animals, and also helps to care for lawns. To perform all these works, a rotary mower for a mini-tractor is used, which is an additional equipment of the unit.
Varieties and purpose of rotary mowers
Only in general terms is it considered that the mower is needed for mowing grass and is simply attached to a mini-tractor. In fact, there are varieties of such equipment. According to its intended purpose, a rotary mower is:
- The model for shredding vegetation is used as a lawn mower. Grass is mulched with this equipment.
- Models for mowing grass and laying it in shafts are called mowers. The equipment is used when harvesting hay for animals for the winter.
These are not all the differences. The equipment is divided according to the method of attachment to the mini-tractor:
- Models attached to the back or front of the tractor with a PTO are called trailed. Usually they are intended for mulching vegetation.
- Side mount models are called semi-mounted.
- There are mowers that are frontally attached to a mini-tractor. The most commonly used rear hinge. They are called hanging.
More equipment is one- and two-rotor. The first type of mower folds the cut grass to one side. Two-rotor models swath the grass between two rotors.
And the last difference is the way it is connected to the tractor to transmit torque. There are two options here: from the drive or running wheels.
Rotary mowers are produced for a mini-tractor with different technical characteristics, which, of course, is reflected in their cost. For home use, the owner wants to buy cheaper equipment and at the same time high-quality. In this case, you need to look at domestic and Belarusian models. The mowers are designed to work in weedy areas with uneven terrain.
How a rotary mower works
Among mowers, this equipment is the most demanded on the market. Craftsmen learned how to assemble home-made rotary mowers for a mini-tractor because of the simplicity of their design. The popularity of this type of equipment is due to high performance, as well as reliability of use.
On the diagram you can see the device of the working node. In general terms, the equipment consists of a steel frame on which the disks are fixed. Their number depends on the model. Knives are fixed on each disk with the help of hinges. There are two to eight of them. During the operation of the equipment, the disks begin to rotate at high speed. In this case, the blades fly out, which cut the grass. Such a simple device of the mower allows you to quickly carry out repairs in the event of a breakdown.
Overview of the types of rotary mowers
What is a rotary mower on a mini-tractor is already clear. Now let’s take a closer look at several models that differ in the type of attachment to a mini-tractor.
Semi-mounted models
Semi-mounted equipment consists of a frame on which discs are mounted. The main emphasis of the mechanism falls on the wheel, thanks to which the discs rotate at the same height above the ground, and the knives evenly cut the grass. The entire weight of the mower falls on the same wheel and longitudinal beam. Part of the load rests on the trailer bracket. Drives the PTO mower of the mini tractor. During transportation, the equipment is lifted hydraulically.
For a visual example, let’s look at the AgroService SB-1200 model, which is designed for mowing tall grass and other plants with soft stems. The working width of the disks is 1,2 m, and the minimum grass cutting height is 40 cm. The mower can cost up to 200 thousand rubles.
Hinged mount models
Mounted mowers are the most popular among farmers. They simply connect to the mini tractor and are easy to maintain. The modern market offers the consumer more than a hundred models designed for coupling with units of different capacities. Mounted models are characterized by the presence of 1–5 working units. During rotation, the discs move smoothly towards each other. This allows the blades to cut grass of any density evenly and easily.
Among the popular models, the DM 135 can be distinguished. The American manufacturer’s mower was originally designed to work with the Dong Feng tractor. However, the versatility of the equipment allows it to be used with the Urals or Scout. The model is in demand for hay harvesting by the owners of small livestock complexes. Knives made of special steel are able to cope with plant stems up to 1 cm thick. The gripping width is 1,5 m. The cost of new equipment starts from 70 thousand rubles.
The video provides an overview of the DM 135:
Trailer Mount Models
Trailed mowers are safe to use and are able to work with low-powered mini-tractors. The mechanism is driven by the traction of the wheels. The equipment is characterized by low cutting of vegetation and its mulching. Mowers are used to care for lawns, lawns and other large areas with grass. The cutting mechanism is not afraid of hitting small stones, and the protective cover will prevent solid objects from flying out from under the knives.
From the variety of this type of equipment, the J 23 HST model can be distinguished. The mower is characterized by a working width of 1,2 m. There are 3 discs on the frame, each of which has 4 knives. The cost of equipment starts from 110 thousand rubles.
Self-made rotary mower
Due to the high cost of attachments, craftsmen are used to doing most of it themselves. The easiest to manufacture is a home-made rotary mower for a mini-tractor, which can be assembled without compiling complex diagrams and drawings.
To work, you will need sheet metal, a profile, bearings and a welding machine. First weld the frame. A profile is suitable for this, and in its absence, you can take a corner, a rod or a pipe. The structure will be attached to a mini-tractor, so the length of the sides of the frame will be about 40 cm.
The main working unit – the disks are cut out of sheet steel. Not bad for these purposes are the bottoms from old steel, but not rotten barrels. The discs are attached to the frame on rotating axles. They are made from pieces of pipe or rod, having pressed bearings onto the ends. At the same time, mounting seats for bearings must be welded on the frame itself and the disks.
Knives are also attached to the disks using an axis. Cutting elements are made of hardened steel or can be removed ready-made from agricultural equipment. The torque will be transmitted to the discs by a belt drive, so you need to put a pulley on the axle. Coupling with a mini-tractor occurs through a three-point hitch. Moreover, the unit must have hydraulics to lift the mower during transportation.
Such a simple rotary design, assembled for a do-it-yourself mini-tractor, will have a working width of up to 1,1 m. For safety and longer service life, all working units are covered with a metal casing.