ATVs offer endless fun and adventure, whether you’re riding solo or with loved ones. But did you know your trusty utility ATV can also be a valuable work companion? Yes! Instead of splurging on a separate riding lawn mower, you can advantage of the wide array of mower attachments designed specifically for ATVs.
Not only will you save a significant amount of money, but you’ll also enjoy the convenience and versatility that these attachments bring. Looking for a buyer’s guide? You’ve come to the right place! Find the top ATV mower attachment here.
ATV mower attachments are capable of handling various tasks, making them perfect for any mowing job you may have. Installing them is a breeze, as most utility ATVs with a mount can easily tow different types of ATV add-ons.
From brush and trails to big flat golf courses, there’s a mower for the job. I have tried a few ATV attachment mowers myself on my property, and I can tell you, it beats pushing a lawn mower any day of the week. Keep reading to discover all the essential information you need to know.
What are the main types of tow-behind mowers available for ATVs?
There are three main types of tow-behind mowers you’ll find out there;
- Finish Cut Mower – For cutting grass like a traditional lawn mower
- Rough Cut Mower – For brush and overgrown areas
- Gang Reel Mower – For fields, large yards, or golf courses
But before you proceed, it’s important to ensure that your ATV has the towing capacity required for these tow-behind mowers. If you have a 500cc utility ATV or higher, you’re probably good, and you can skip this next section.
Can My ATV Even Tow A Mower Attachment?
Depending on what type of mower you plan on pulling behind your ATV will determine how much power your ATV is going to need to get the job done. As I said above, a utility ATV with 500cc of power will be able to handle any of the mower attachments I’m going to talk about.
However, if you’re looking to clear out brush and overgrown areas, the rough-cut mower is your best bet. It typically requires an engine of at least 350cc or higher.
For mowing the yard around your house, a finish-cut mower is the ideal choice. A 250cc engine or higher is generally sufficient for this type of mower.
If you have plans to mow athletic fields or a large property, the gang reel mower is what you need. Keep in mind that a gang reel mower demands the most power to tow, so you’ll require an engine of at least 450cc or higher to handle it effectively.
Finish Cut Mower Attachment
The finish-cut mower attachment is specifically designed for mowing the yard around a house or commercial building. Sometimes referred to as trail mowers, they are not suitable for mowing overgrown trails in wooded areas.
Similar to a typical walk-behind lawn mower, ATV attachment mowers offer increased power. You can comfortably mow at speeds ranging from 5 to 10 miles per hour (depending on the grass height) without encountering any issues.
These attachments excel at shredding pine cones, twigs, and other tree debris that would pose a challenge for a regular walk-behind mower. The recommended finish-cut trail mower typically features two commercial mulching blades and a 44-inch cutting area, similar to most other models available.
The Swisher Finish Cut Trail Mower found here on Amazon, has a 10.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton recoil start engine. The cutting height can be adjusted from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, perfect for most lawns. It goes for about $1690 but comes with free shipping and is pretty easy to get all set up for the first use. With ride-on lawnmowers going for $3000 – $6000, these options will save you a few bucks.
I liked this particular finish-cut mower for my yard because it allows you to offset the mower with the ATV. For the most part, just towing behind the ATV works great for most of the yard. But in some cases (around the edges of the property) it was super helpful to offset the mower to get those hard-to-reach areas.
Rough Cut Mower Attachment
Rough-cut mowers are great for overgrown brush and trail making. They usually come with some heavy-duty steel cutting blades that will cut stems up to 3 inches in diameter.
These things are ideal for creating trails to ride on throughout a wooded area. Of course, they are mostly used to cut down big patches of brush on people’s property. A good rough-cut mower will tear through tough bushes and small trees easily.
I recommend The Swisher Electric Start Tow Behind Rough Cut Mower from Swisher on Amazon for those types of jobs. It has one set height of 4 inches, which is the best height for cutting heavy brush. With a 14.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton electric start engine, you’ll have plenty of power to clear up an overrun piece of land.
Gang Reel Mower Attachment
If you have a large property to maintain, the reel mower is going to be the one you want. These are typically used for mowing golf courses or large athletic fields. But they are beneficial if you have a giant yard you want to be mowed quickly. The grass is cut to a nice finished quality anyone could be proud of.
These types of mowers have no engine, so no gas, oil, and less maintenance to deal with. They operate mechanically, so you’ll have trouble trying to get above 5 miles per hour while cutting with these. But they cut so much area at a time, that the job still gets done in a fraction of the time a finish-cut mower would.
These types of gang reel mowers are not made to cut brush or tall grass, for that job look at the rough cut mower above. This mower will deliver more of a precise fine cut, in a short amount of time.
The gang reel mower I recommend is The ProMow Hybrid-3 Gang Reel Mower found here on Amazon. It has three 21-inch reels, all with sealed bearings. The cutting height can be adjusted from 5/8 inch up to 3 inches. They do make reel mowers with 5 or even 7 reels, but the more reels they have the more they cost.
How To Use
All of the above mower attachments that I’ve recommended can easily attach to an ATV or riding mower. The only real benefit to using them with a riding mower is that you can offset the mower to cover more ground per pass.
Most utility ATVs have a mounting bracket behind the rear axle for mounting purposes. They even make hitch adapters so you can install a ball mount if you need to go that route.
Once you’ve got the mower attached, it’s time for the easy part. Simply start the mower and tow it around where you want to cut the grass. It’s that straightforward. Of course, check your oil levels, sharpen the blades when they need it and tend to other basic maintenance needs. Take care of your equipment and it should last you years to come.
Conclusion
Summarily, ATV mower attachments offer a cost-effective and versatile solution for various mowing tasks. Whether you need to maintain your yard, clear brush, and overgrown areas, or tackle large properties like golf courses or athletic fields, there’s a mower attachment to suit your needs.
By utilizing these attachments, you can save money compared to purchasing a separate riding lawn mower. ATV attachment mowers provide increased power, allowing you to mow at speeds ranging from 5 to 10 miles per hour, depending on the grass height. They excel at shredding pine cones, twigs, and other tree debris that would pose a challenge for a regular walk-behind mower.
With easy installation and maintenance, these mower attachments are a convenient and efficient option for maintaining your outdoor spaces.
Thanks for reading to the end!