How much hp would I need for a tow behind mower? I have a extra lawnmower engine at about 5 hp. Would it be possible to hook it up to a extra lawndeck 38-40 inch wide? Would it cut tall grass well?
I know many small 38-40 inch mowers have 10-15hp engines. But they have a extra load to pull(person, and the rest of the tractor). So would a small engine be a bare minimum?
I'd say you'll be a bit short of horsepower for cutting tall (field) grass at speed. An 8hp Gravely walk behind (all gear drive, minimal loss) can easily bog out on high grass with a 40" deck in high gear. In low gear with a 30" deck, they are pretty good. Remember that small mowers are typically used for mowing LAWNS, not high grass. Deck throughput clearing the grass end up sucking up a good bit of horsepower. I think that what you are proposing would probably work OK for lawn mowing, but will bog down in high grass.
I have rebuilt my friends Haban 42 inch tow behind twice now. First time replaced the 8 HP Briggs (lost a valve seat) with an 11 HP Briggs engine that also last a valve seat. The second time went to a 13.5 HP Briggs OHV. More HP is better. 5 HP is for a 18 to 22 inch deck. Most tow behinds are much wider. Roger
Yes you can use a 3 1/2 HP 20" or 22" push mower. I have mowed more then enough acres that way 60 years ago. It's how fast you want to mow. My guess is with a pull behind you want to cover a lot of area fast. I would say 10 to 12 HP minimum and more is better. As I remember it you went very slow in heavy grass and real heavy grass there was stop and back up to keep from killing the engine.
The 5hp tractor to your left runs a 28" deck, and a 27" snowblower.
Simplicity had a 6hp RER that ran a 32" deck.
The Simplicity 700 ran either a 36", OR the 42" deck with a 7hp 19D Briggs engine.
I would say that you might be working the 5hp engine a little hard if you end up cutting thick grass. You might find yourself with very slow ground speed if the engine is working too hard.
The onew behind the Ford looks nice. I don't why you cant do what you want to do. All you can do is try it.
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