Walking Tractor Disc Mower: Cut Grass and Forage with a 2-Wheel Tractor

A walking tractor can do much more than till and plough. Fitted with a two-disc mower, it becomes a compact grass and forage cutter for small farms, orchards, roadsides and plots that are too small or too steep for a four-wheel tractor. This guide explains how the SH-MW2 walking tractor disc mower works, where it is most useful, and how to cut cleanly and safely.

What Is a Walking Tractor Disc Mower?

The SH-MW2 is a two-disc mower made to fit all common walking tractors. Two round cutting discs, each carrying small knives at the edge, spin at high speed close to the ground. As the operator walks the tractor forward, the knives cut grass and forage cleanly at the base and lay it behind the mower.

Because it uses rotating discs rather than a reciprocating knife, a disc mower is simple, keeps cutting in dense or laid grass, and has fewer parts that need fine adjustment than a sickle bar.

Where It Works Best

• Small hay and forage plots for cattle, goats and sheep.
• Orchards and plantations, where the narrow walking tractor fits between tree rows.
• Field edges, canal banks and farm tracks that a large tractor cannot reach.
• Terraces and small hillside fields, where a walking tractor is easier to handle.

For larger hay fields, a tractor-mounted mower is faster – compare the options in our sickle bar vs disc mower guide.

Fitting the Mower

The mower attaches to the walking tractor and takes its drive from the tractor. Before fitting, check that your tractor model and chassis are compatible – tell us the model (for example 101, 121 or 151 chassis) and we will confirm. When fitted, the discs should run level with the ground and the drive belt or shaft should be correctly tensioned and guarded.

How to Mow Cleanly

1. Walk the area first. Remove stones, wire, sticks and other objects that the knives could hit or throw.
2. Set cutting height. Keep the discs just above the soil – cutting too low picks up soil and wears the knives fast.
3. Run at full working speed before entering the grass, so the discs cut rather than tear.
4. Walk at a steady pace. In thick or wet grass, slow down rather than forcing the mower.
5. Overlap each pass slightly so no strips are left standing.

Safety First

• Keep all guards in place – disc knives can throw stones a long way.
• Keep people and animals well away from the cutting area.
• Stop the engine and wait for the discs to stop completely before clearing blockages or touching the knives.
• Wear sturdy boots and eye protection.

Maintenance

• Knives: check before each use. Replace worn, bent or chipped knives in pairs so the disc stays balanced.
• Bolts: check knife bolts and disc fixings daily – vibration can loosen them.
• Drive: keep belts at the right tension and grease bearings regularly.
• Cleaning: remove grass build-up under the discs after work so it does not hold moisture and cause rust.

For engine care, follow our walking tractor maintenance checklist.

One Tractor, Many Jobs

The real value of a walking tractor is how many jobs one engine can do. With a mower for forage, a plough and rotary tiller for land preparation, a planter for sowing and a trailer for transport, a small farm can mechanise most of its year. Affordable, multi-purpose machines like this are central to the FAO’s work on sustainable agricultural mechanization.

FAQ

How many discs does the SH-MW2 have?

Two cutting discs.

Will it fit my walking tractor?

It is made to fit all common walking tractors. Send us your model to confirm.

Can it cut bushes or small trees?

No. It is designed for grass and forage. For rough growth and bush on a four-wheel tractor, see our mowers page.

Get a Quote

Tell us your walking tractor model, the area you mow and your destination port. See all attachments on our walking tractors page.