Okay, so I looked and couldn't find any threads, but has anyone tried to create a PTO for their Hijet? I was looking at rough cut mowers for "atvs" and for $1,500 it occurred to me that it might be "better" to add a PTO and use my mini as my "tractor". There are a lot of non-three-point drag behind shredders that I can get for $500. Any comments?
Instead of trying to modify your mini I think it would be easier to get a mower that has an engine mounted on top that you can pull. I have no idea how much power they have. What I would do if I was set on using the mini truck engine I would find another drive shaft put a couple of joints in it and replace it with the original drive for the rear axle. One of many problems with that would be the need to have consistent high revs and speed and 4 wheel drive. maybe the atv ones are different than the tractor ones that I am familiar with but its just an idea or maybe put a semi truck rear axle on that has pto but that might be a tad heavy.
Around here you can get a Ford 8n with 5' mower for $2500 or less depending on condition, and cheaper in the states. It will run and mow your yard forever with little upkeep. I have seen pull behind atv mowers with top mounted motors but they are 4' wide max but still easier than building PTO. I have seen a few Hijets with PTO generators so there is such parts out there - if you can find them is another story. Good luck! R
I have a hijet with the PTO generator built in to it. In therory it could be done, but these motors don't have the kind of power that a mower would need. The engine suck holes if you put the maximum load on the generator. It would be far simpler to get a mower with its own power unit.
Thanks for the replies. In Texas we can get 8ns, 9ns, 2ns with shredders for $1,500. Rough cut mowers from Northern or Tractor Supply are about the same. I'd go with the tractor, but didn't really want another vehicle or engine that's used three times a year and needs maintenance. I can find used finnishing mowers for $600, which is great - but wouldn't last very long Thanks.
zeroduty - do you have a picture of that pto? maybe you cant even get very far off of the pto with the angle of motor etc.
I have a 3 pt. hitch mounted, PTO powered 5' finishing mower on my John Deere. As noted above, the problem I see is that you need to be able to keep a more or less constant PTO speed to the thing. Think about where you might have to go slow around a tree, or back into a corner of a pasture. Unless the PTO is a true, before-the-transmission setup, I don't think it's going to work right. I would think one of the pull behind mowers would be a far easier and more convenient setup.
Ditto on the self powered pull behind mower. You can find a nice, very little use unit at a farm equip. auction in the 500.00 range. I see 4 or 5 a year. If you are in Houston there are plenty of farm auctions within 200 miles. Go to "AuctionZip.com" and plug in your zip code and you will find plenty of Farm auctions.
