Rotary Mower for a Farmall M - question about size to use

denglish

Member
Hi Folks,
I have a new-to-me '49 M with a Saginaw 3-point and overrunning clutch on PTO. I want to get a rotary mower for light duty on my property. I don't plan to run it through any extremely heavy brush but maybe the occasional prairie grass with some small shrubs. Mostly it will be used for mowing along the roadsides and some paths around the pond and stuff like that.

I've never bought a rotary mower before and don't have much experience with them. I would consider buying new, but I am also watching CL and auctions (though I am concerned about buying used when I can't test it first).

My question is - what are the key dimensions I should consider in terms of cutting width and HP to avoid getting a cutter that is either too small or too big for the M? The M runs well and seems strong though I have not really pushed it to do much work yet. 3 point works good and PTO engages fine though I have not used it yet to power anything.
 
The M is a 36HP tractor as per the Neb test list I have. As for what brush hog to get one that is just a tad bit wider then the rear wheels is best for all around cutting. It should handle a 6 foot with no problem or maybe a 7 in all but the very heavy stuff and then in that you just do a half cut
 
I pull a 6ft with mine in some pretty thick stuff. Sometimes I have to move over some, but it handles it fine. Its makes the front
end a little light though, but still easily driveable.
 
It'll handle 6ft no problem. You may want to think about whether you want a trailer type or 3 point type. I love my trailer one because I don't have to worry about leveling it if I
adjust a top link on another implement and lots of other reasons. Lots of people use 3 point brush mowers but I just prefer the trailer type.
 
when you get a cutter you also want to get an overrunning clutch for the pto shaft as the M does not have live pto. I looked for used years ago but found most times when guys want to sell them it is because they are worn out. good luck on your search
 
I pull a 5 foot behind mine and you barely
even know its back there. Pull type not a 3
point i like not having to adjust the top
link
 

I also have a saginaw three point. Used a 5 foot Woods pull type type brush hog for a few years, no problem. I would go to 6 foot as aforementioned, but have switched to a 72 inch landpride finish mower and works fine.
 
I also have an M with a Saginaw 3 point hitch. I use a Land Pride 35-90 behind it with perfect results. It is a 90 inch finish mower that will do light field
work like you describe. I have told others that it is the perfect match for tractor and implement. The M in the picture is not the tractor with the Saginaw 3
point hitch, but that hardly matters. Ellis
a239778.jpg
 

thats a nice set up, my 72 inch works fine and covers the rear tires but I do have them moved in a little. My mower cuts great.

O.P. would probably do nicely with your set up, like you say as long as the material is light duty grass stuff.
 
an addendum to my previous post--I am not trying to advertise for Land Pride mowers. The one in the picture is a 1992 model and I have had to replace 2 belts.
Woods make a similar one, but I don't know the nomenclature. I would be very careful about buying a used one. I just snapped this photo without cleaning or
blowing off the deck and tractor. Always has been kept inside. Ellis
 
(quoted from post at 14:49:49 10/11/16) an addendum to my previous post--I am not trying to advertise for Land Pride mowers. The one in the picture is a 1992 model and I have had to replace 2 belts.
Woods make a similar one, but I don't know the nomenclature. I would be very careful about buying a used one. I just snapped this photo without cleaning or
blowing off the deck and tractor. Always has been kept inside. Ellis

Good advice, I just recently bought my used 72 inch, but I knew who it came from and it was recently serviced. Good point
 
Thanks for all of your replies! Very useful information as I was uncertain what the M would handle with respect to width.
 
Quick follow-up question: With the pull-type mowers, are there issues with backing up or turning too sharply during mowing?
 
I also own a Woods pull type bush hog. I use it for heavier stuff and it works well,---however I cannot turn very sharp or the knuckles begin to hammer, so
in restricted areas wide turns slow me down. It has a short tongue so backing up takes some getting used to. It is also difficult in tight spaces with no
power steering. Having said all that, it is definitely not for sale. Ellis
 

Sure, for me anyway. Its articulated. Not nearly as convenient as a three point connection. However, i have had allot of birthdays and equipment shed not set up for pull in. Backing up a pain. Love my three point finish mower
 
My BIL has a 1948 Farmall M and he uses an 8 foot Bush Hog brand bus hog with the tractor to clean his pastures of summer weeds. He doesn't have any heavy brush to keep in check so the Bush Hog is an overkill on what it is cutting except for any tall fescue he might encounter. His tractor handles the rotary mower without much effort from what I can tell, Hal.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top