Rotary Cutter Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link

   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #1  

have_blue

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
1,730
Location
Eunice, Louisiana
Tractor
L4400
Just got a SQ172, and really like it so far. (Mowed 1 time with it)

The top link attachment is different than I'm used to. My previous RC (Woods BB72) had a flexible link to attach the top link to. That way, you could keep the top link slack while mowing, and keep unnecessary strain and shock off the hydraulics. The Bush Hog has no flexible link. The only slack is just a tad due to what slack there is in the 2 pins and ball swivels.

As a result of this, when the tractor goes over little bumps or dips, the tailwheel comes off the ground.

Anyone have an easy solution for this, or am I missing something? The manual doesn't address it at all.

Thanks,,,
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #2  
Page 9 of the manual shows a pivot-arm fork which allows the cutter to follow the contour of the ground.
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Page 9 of the manual shows a pivot-arm fork which allows the cutter to follow the contour of the ground.

mluak,

Yea, I noticed that. But it doesn't follow the contours of the ground very well with the tail wheel up in the air. :)

I assumed the pivot arm didn't have enough slack. Maybe the bolt is too tight and not allowing it to move freely. I'll have to drive 8 miles out there and take a look. :rolleyes:

Thanks,,,
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #4  
Yeah, I would check the slack and make sure it floats properly. Maybe your toplink needs to be adjusted, not sure, but the manual doesn't get into much detail. I've got an SQ720 which has a different set up.
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #5  
After thinking about it, I would set the pivot fork by setting the mower at your mowing height, then adjusting the top link so the pivot fork is centered in the slot. This will allow up and down float while mowing.
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link
  • Thread Starter
#6  
After thinking about it, I would set the pivot fork by setting the mower at your mowing height, then adjusting the top link so the pivot fork is centered in the slot. This will allow up and down float while mowing.

Sounds perfectly logical, and a slick way to float the mower if it works. Thanks!
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #7  
I have a SQ172 that is used behind a MF65 and a Mahindra 2615. On the smaller tractor I have to give the toplink a LOT of slack to keep the tailwheel on the ground when mowing. Just centering the pivot arm in its slot won't work, gotta give it quite a bit more slack than that. The front of the pivot arm is usually pointing down towards the front edge of the mower, or in some cases more toward the mower deck. On the MF65 I can run with less slack in the toplink. It seems like the shorter wheelbase on the smaller tractor is the difference.

With a set of uplift blades on the SQ172 I found I don't need a RFM after all. It does a very nice job of cutting grass.
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #8  
I also have a SQ 720 which works great cutting weeds and small saplings. I didn't get a operators manual with it. Is it available as a download on the computer or hard copy from the manufacturer ?
 
   / Bush Hog SQ 172 Top Link #9  
I also have a SQ 720 which works great cutting weeds and small saplings. I didn't get a operators manual with it. Is it available as a download on the computer or hard copy from the manufacturer ?

Go to Bush Hog&reg - Performance You Can Count On, and click on the tab for manuals at the top of the page. If they don't list one for your particular model, you might contact them to see if you can buy a paper one for it. Good luck.
 
 
 
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