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I'm assuming that the suggestion to use the power steering would be for raising and lowering the deck, which would be powered from a seperate motor?


no, i mean that the power steering pump is a fairly strong hydraulic pump, and that you can run a relatively high speed vane type or gear type hydraulic motor from it that would power the rotating blades or spinning flail of whatever you rig to the front - avoiding the complexity of two separate gas engines and connecting with just a pair of hoses and perhaps a valve if you're one of those guys who likes having arms and feet.

http://www.earthmoving.com.au/slashers%20&%20mowers.htm

and if the power steering pump doesn't have enough flow rate (GPM) then you can mount a second one where the a/c compressor used to be.

Or, save yourself a lot of work, money, time, and effort by buying a riding mower.