What is a Mower Sulky?
A durable sulky is a well-built platform with high-quality components that attaches to the back of the mower and allows you to stand behind your walk-behind mower and simply ride along. However, not all sulkies are created equal, and it is important to choose a sulky that can withstand the wear and tear of regular use.
There are two different types of sulkies, one-wheel and two-wheel. One-wheel sulkies are generally more maneuverable but less stable than two-wheel sulkies.
Sulkies are a popular choice for lawn care professionals, allowing for faster and more efficient mowing. Mower sulkies are a great option for lawn care professionals who need to mow large areas quickly and efficiently. They can help reduce fatigue and strain on the body, making it easier to mow for longer periods of time. However, it is important to choose a high-quality sulky that is durable, safe, and comfortable to use.
What Makes a Durable Sulky?
Material
The materials of sulkies are some of the most important factors in determining its durability. They should be made of high-quality materials that can withstand the elements and regular use. They should be made of high-quality steel, and each wear component, such as the bearings, should have a long life span of at least one mowing season.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of the sulky is another important factor to consider when choosing a sulky. It should be able to support the weight of the user as well as any additional weight, such as tools that the operator may carry with them, so that it does not break or bend. Look for a sulky with a high load capacity to ensure it can handle the load. If weight capacity is at all a concern, a two-wheel sulky will have a higher load capacity and is easier to operate.
Wheels
The size of the wheels is also an important factor in determining the durability of the sulky. Larger wheels are generally more durable and can handle rough terrain better than smaller wheels. Sturdy wheels can handle bumps and obstacles with ease. They glide over the terrain better causing less strain on the wheels, caddy, and operator. Another important factor is the type of bearing inside the wheel. A good bearing, such as a tapered roller bearing instead of a PTO needle bearing, will keep the wheels steady and last for at least one season.
Hitch Design
The hitch design is another factor to consider when choosing a wheel caddy. The hitch should be strong and secure, with no wobbling or play. A durable sulky, with a hitch that attaches firmly to the mower and is simple to install and remove, makes it easy for the operator to do their job.
Comfort and Ergonomics
While comfort and ergonomics may not seem like important factors in determining the durability of the sulky, they are actually crucial. A comfortable and ergonomic sulky will allow the user to mow for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue or discomfort. A wheel caddy is only durable if it is built for the terrain. Sulkies that are riding with the contours of the turf will last longer than ones that are fighting against it. Having a floating sulky causes less strain on the wheels, platform and operator, giving it a longer life. A floating sulky will have rotation, to move around obstacle, oscillation, to make riding on slopes and ditches easy, and suspension, to add driver comfort and reduce fatigue on the driver and equipment. These three features make for the most ergonomic and comfortable wheel sulky.
Safety Features
Safety features are also an important consideration when choosing a durable sulky. A one-wheel sulky is harder to operate and makes for a greater liability, especially for new operators. Having two wheels, is easy for anybody to use, who knows how to operate a walk-behind mower.
Warranty
Finally, it is important to choose a sulky with a good warranty. A warranty will provide peace of mind and protect the investment in the sulky. Look for a sulky with a warranty that covers any defects or problems that may arise with hours of regular use.
KAGE Wheel Kaddy
The Wheel Kaddy is a dual-wheel durable sulky that is comfortable, easy to use, safe, and has a 2-year structural warranty.
It has a formed grade 50 steel platform with a textured matte black finish providing more traction for the operators feet. This platform also has a formed ridge in the center and is designed for the operator to have a good footing when riding on slopes and ditches.
The KAGE wheel caddy also has a quick release yoke mount. This means that the mount only has to be installed once and the wheel caddy can be taken off by just the push of a button in a few seconds. This particularly comes in handy for commercial use because they oftentimes will share equipment and this makes it easy to do so. It also makes trailering easy. One can either release the yoke mount and take the Wheel Kaddy off or use the provided chain and mount it to the mower frame.
KAGE makes three different mower sulky models, which are, the 250, 500, and 360. Each of these have oscillation and 270 or more degrees of rotation, making rounding tight corners easy. The 500 and 360 model have suspension increasing operator comfort and reducing fatigue. Suspension also provides a clean cut. Other sulkies cause the mower deck to bounce and slide a couple of inches creating and unprofessional look. Whereas the KAGE sulky causes the deck to bounce less than a quarter of an inch. KAGE also has large tires for each model. The 250 and 500 have 13″ tires and the 360 has 10″ tires because it rotates 360 degrees and needs to fit under the wheel caddy arm. The tires are a 3-piece kit which makes it easy to change or replace bearings on the fly or even a flat tire to help prevent and minimize downtime.
Each model has pitch adjustment and tapered roller bearings, similar to ones found on a trailer. These bearings are built tough and last a season or more.
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