Sulkies for walk behind mowers allow you to easily create a convenient stand-on riding mower out of your walk-behind.
And as you might be aware, this goes a long way in enhancing your efficiency and making your days more comfortable, especially when you’re out to cut grass all day long.
Invalid table id.This article will introduce you to the best sulkies for walk behind mowers including those suitable for a commercial walk behind mower.
You shall also learn how to choose the right mower sulky attachment for your needs.
First off, the basics.
What is a sulky?
A sulky for WB mower is simply a walk behind mower stand on attachment that you ride on when trimming grass.
The greatest advantage of this equipment is the reduced fatigue and faster mowing (you’re no longer walking) and the good thing is that you can easily detach it as needed.
Best sulkies for walk behind mowers reviews
Overall, the quality of sulkies in the market at the moment is vastly improved vis-à-vis what was there a few years back.
Here is a review of some of the bestselling models.
1. Bradley Man Commercial 2-Wheel Sulky Velke
This commercial-grade sulky fits most of the renowned brands including Bobcat, Scag, & Toro walk-behind mowers
In fact, the 14.5″ wide hitch fits many more mowers- even the tremendously popular Exmark walk behind.
It’s a top, top quality sulky and comes with a fantastic quick-release (for quick removal) and reassuring anti-slip tread on the pneumatic wheels.
I also love that it latches up in place for easier transportation/storage.
Pros
- Good ground clearance.
- The anti-slip platform offers more peace of mind.
- Super sturdy frame
Cons
- You may have to drill holes for installation.
2. TS2006N Two-Wheel Sulky from Bradley
The headline here is the universal mounting brackets (again fits multiple models) and smooth-riding, wide pneumatic wheels that help you maximize the running speed of your walk behind.
There is also a unique retraction mechanism meaning you don’t have to necessarily detach the sulky (at times you don’t need the sulky operation).
The solid controls make it easier to make precise turns – even when you’re steering around obstacles such as trees.
Also notable are the spring-loaded pins (for faster sulky disconnection) and the multiple grease fittings (to help you feed lubricants).
It’s also a lasting choice thanks to the toughened steel construction.
Note that arm is 15-inches long from the platform pivot point to the hitch pivot point while the hitch is 14.5-inches.
Pros
- Lifts up and latches for transportation and/or storage.
- You enjoy excellent after sales service from the company.
- Hits amazing speeds (depending on your mower).
Cons
- There are some brands that need you to drill holes to rig the hitch.
3.Oregon 42-066 walk behind Mower Sulkey (Two Wheels)
This wonderful sulky from Oregon products has been making waves in the market because of the well thought-out design.
Of course, the pneumatic tires are there but the layout is such that the wheels track in line with the walk-behind’s drive wheels right off the bat.
You also have other upgrades such as a heavy-duty frame (with a sleek powder coat finishing) and roomy foot space (see the extra-wide platform).
The result is a responsive, yet stable sulky that handles commercial jobs as well as the smaller stuff with minimum fuss.
Hitching/detaching shouldn’t be an issue either- you have quick-ejecting pins to facilitate this.
It has a 250 lbs. operator weight capping.
Pros
- Optimal ride comfort on a wide variety of terrain.
- Tracks excellently for a well-manicured lawn.
- Nice grease fittings- very easy to get out.
Cons
- Won’t fold for storage.
Types of sulkies for walk behind mowers
The two most common types of sulkies for walk behind mowers out there are:
- Standing sulkies
- Sitting sulkies
Can you tell the difference? I guess the names tell it all but let me simplify it for you:
· Standing sulkies
These comprise of one rider’s deck, two wheels (supported by a powerful spring suspension to help absorb shocks), and obviously, a hitch.
You’ll definitely ride standing!
· Sitting sulkies for mowers
The setup here allows you to sit so the deck goes out and in comes a comfy operator’s seat.
The other notable addition in sit down sulky walk behind mowers is the large platform (in most cases) for expanded foot space.
The rest of the configuration mainly remains.
Why use walk behind mower with sulky
Like I hinted, sulkies make your job immensely easier and even fun.
You see, riding first saves your legs from many hours of walking.
Besides, you’ll be riding at the speed as your walk behind machine meaning you’ll spend less time working your home lawn to perfection during the summer.
Are sulkies safe?
Unlike the first generation models -that rode a bit bumpy – today’s models ride safe and are very stable.
This is attributed to the wider wheels (some have swivel wheels for easier turning) and improved suspension systems.
You, therefore, have nothing to fear even when riding up/downhill.
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What to look for when buying a sulky device
Like everything else, sulkies are not built equal and you need to understand the features that can make your ride smoother.
Here is what to look in your hunt for the best sulky for walk behind mower.
1. Construction considerations
You want to be sure that you’re hitching a ride on a quality unit so first assess the overall engineering/design.
Your focus here should be on:
- The materials used.
- Quality of the suspensions.
- Ease of attachment- Quick-release hitches absolutely preferable. Also, inspect if the mower’s controls are within your easy reach once hitched.
- Auto Retract: This makes storage/transportation easier
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2. The ability of the mower
The mower’s drive system should handle the additional load caused by the sulky.
You should also check the suggested rider’s weight limit for the same reason.
3. Safety/comfort issues
Pulling a sulky can be risky so check:
- Non-jackknife requirements- check if it observes ANSI’s (meets American National Standards Institute) standards on Jackknifing.
- Tires/suspension- for optimum comfort (and security when mowing sloppy terrain), prioritize larger, pneumatic tires together with reliable suspension systems.
- Pinch points- these limits possible roll and yaw motions.
Other desirables
- Ease of maintenance for high-wear areas such as pivot points and bearings.
- Ability to fold and lock it up to the walkbehind for trailering or when you don’t wish to hitch a ride.
- Adjustable arms- with this, you can be closer or farther to the controls as you desire.
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A smart way of doubling your efficiency and comfort particularly when you have a ton of grass to mow is attaching a sulky to your walk behind.
Even so, it’s important to keep the following in mind:
- Check that the sulky wheels are properly aligned with the mower to cut in nice straight lines.
- Observe the essentials including proper mounting and maneuvering hilly areas at a lower speed for safety.
- Don’t ride bare feet (high-top leather boots recommended).
- Inspect it before each ride and tighten/replace loose/missing bolts as well as hair pins.
Above all, never use a sulky for mower before you have completely familiarized yourself with the operations of the walk behind mower that it’s attaching to.
Some manufactures actually recommend at least one-month experience with the mower before adding a sulky.