Pull behind mower for '53 cub

[RandyPenn88]

I have read that the PTO on cubs turns the wrong way for pull behind mowers so they can't be used with cubs. I have heard from other owners that you can use them.... What's the general consensus here? May be a obvious answer but I am new to all this so I have to ask....

[staninlowerAL]

Cub PTO turns opposite direction from other tractors, also the PTO shaft size and spline count is different. Like most anything else, you can work around this if you know what you are dealing with. A '53 Cub only has about 10 hp available, so it's doubtful that you will be able to operate a towable mower from the PTO. One option is a trail type mower with its own power source. Search the DR POWER website for examples from about 10 to 20 hp. IH and other aftermarket manufacturers like WOODS made a "belly" mounted mower specifically for the Cub that is belt driven from the PTO. You might advertise on the classified VINE subforum and find one. Just make sure it's complete as parts are expensive and hard to find. Stan
EDIT: If you have the Fast Hitch option, there are other possibilities. Are you getting any equipment with the Cub? If so, look around and try to get everything that goes with the tractor. Most of the attachments needed to operate the equipment is obsolete and can only be found from someone who sells used parts.

[Barnyard]

Keep in mind the PTO turns at engine RPM, so it will be spinning much faster than the normal 540 rpm found on other tractors.

[Eugene]

The belt driven, from the Cub's PTO, belly mounted mowers are not that expensive, used.

Need to find out what your are planing on mowing with your Cub. Then we can recommend a type of mower.

For some types of grass and mowing, the Cub is under powered.

[NJ Farmer]

I have both the Danco and Woods belly mower and I would have to give Woods mower the advantage it the choice due the simplicity of the mower and fewer parts to wear out. The Woods 59 is a great design and if you get one at the right price you will not be disappointed. Also the Woods corporation fully supports replacement parts allthough abit high in prices kind of like Toro or John Deere...

Good luck!
NJ Farmer

[Matt Kirsch]

Anything can be done. The question of whether it is practical, financially feasible, or will meet your expectations when all is said and done, is a whole other can of worms.

Yes, the Cub PTO turns opposite, at 1600-1800RPM, and is a different size. There are no pull-behind (i.e. trailing) mowers designed to use the Cub PTO that I am aware of.

That said, here are some options with the end result being a trailing mower powered by the Cub PTO:
1. Obtain a PTO reverser/adapter gearbox to convert the Cub PTO to standard 540 RPM, 6-spline, 1-3/8" shaft. These are relatively rare, with prices usually running north of $500. You can buy a complete belly mower in MINT condition for that kind of money.
2. Modify the trailing mower to handle the non-standard Cub PTO. Depending on your fabrication and scavenging skills, this could be feasible. If you have to buy a new gearbox and pay someone to make the modifications, it's probably a non-starter.

All said and done you will be limited to a 36-48" mower at most.

[Buzzard Wing]

Somebody had a Mott flail mower that was a powered pull behind model on eBay.

As was said, the best option is a belly mounted mower. They are around. (Makes me think I should sell the Woods 59 I never use.)

[Trent M]

At one time, I was planning on buying a 4 ft 3 pt brush mower to use with a Cub. I was going to get one of the 3 pt adapters from KubKraft (but I missed out on that), and I had 2 of the Hub City 22 PTO reducer/reversers (I have since sold both). It would have been a much better mowing option than removing/installing a belly mower all the time.

[Matt Kirsch]

Those Mott mowers are a pretty hot commodity in my experience.

One thing I didn't think of with the PTO reverser is durability. They may not take kindly to the shock load of hitting a stick or rock with the mower, and if I were a betting man, I'd wager that parts are difficult, if not impossible, to find.

[Trent M]

Those Mott mowers are a pretty hot commodity in my experience.

One thing I didn't think of with the PTO reverser is durability. They may not take kindly to the shock load of hitting a stick or rock with the mower, and if I were a betting man, I'd wager that parts are difficult, if not impossible, to find.

The swinging blades of a "bush hog" type mower ought to take care of that.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Randy, if you happen to have a fast hitch there are fast hitch rear mount mowers available. If you are wanting a pull behind so you can just unhitch it and leave it, I suggest looking into the trail mowers, however, if you are mowing in a congested area, lots of trees, etc. any pull type is not the best for mowing around stuff.

[danovercash]

Why not get a Woods 42 and fab it up to to be rear mounted? Two arms and a drive shaft should pretty much do it. Mount with casters in back to get proper mowing additude. With chains, may be able to pick up for transport. Reverse drawbar before taking measurements for arms. Should work like a RM42, but mounted like a #3 field cultivator.

[gitractorman]

For that matter, you could take the Woods 42 and just mount it backwards off of the regular mounting points. You would have to re-position the belt pulleys on the mounting frame, so that the belt coming down from the PTO ran between the tractor and the frame, then around the pulleys and backwards to the center pulley on the mower deck. As you mentioned, you'd need to fab up guide wheels for the deck to run on, but it's certainly all possible to do.

[Buzzard Wing]

I favor 'purpose built' machines.

It's not easy, unreasonable, or cheap but I do like Fast Hitch stuff. Mowers are tough to find, but hands down my favorite is a Mott hammer knife. Perfect for the odd stuff I mow, forts and rock-strewn trails, with an occasional field.


In the scheme of things, your best bet is a belly mower.

[gitractorman]

In all honesty, with the small power of the Cub, something like this is really the best way to go:

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/grd/5079875848.html

With this, you can idle the tractor engine to allow you to crawl along while the Honda engine on the brush hog runs at wide open throttle to handle the cutting load. By far the best setup I can think of for a Cub.

Bill