brush hogging problems

[greenmule]

Yes indeed,three point raises and lowers front to any spot you want,but we are talking the rear,right,my tail wheel is in the next to lowest setting,[setting making rear next to highest it will go],now...[and the only reason its not in the lowest one is its not fabed right to get there with out some modification,so its in the last postion it will go],now at that height if I made front 2 inches lower it would be a problem for me,[got it set up now about 4 1/2 inches all around]In other words,front would be about two inches or less and rear would meet your specications,thats to low for my ground.

Also use a chain and always have,but that shouldn't have anthing to do with what we are talking about.

Now,I could,like I said modify the tail wheel adjustment to make it more adjustable[rear go up even higher] but,SINCE it cuts grass like a finish mower with 7 year old never sharpened blades,can't see doing that.

Now why others never say what I'm saying,well they could be newbies who just follow the only way they have been told by somebody and live with it,or maybe they got smooth ground with no dips or humps,don't know.Plus bet many many just set it like I do and you might not know about it??

 

[eastexan]

Now I would suggest to the op that if he's got a nice kinda level area thats just grass,that he take top link off and try it,he'll learn something else, he might learn why chain might work better for you than solid top link.

Thats probably against established rules too?

I know that a lot of guys use a chain instead of a top link. But I've heard more than once that people using a chain instead of a top link have been badly hurt and some killed by accidentally hitting a buried rock or stump with the front of the cutter, and it flipping up onto the back of the tractor.

I don't use a chain for that reason. I've mowed all kinds of terrain, and have never had a problem using a top link on any of the mowers I've ever had.

 

[greenmule]

Doubt if many [or any] have been killed by using chain instead of toplink,but who knows,maybe I'm just more thoughtfull and smart than I thought,cause I have been using a chain on hills/rough ground for many years and I'm still here.

You don't want to cut real brush using a chain,don't think,and you got to know your ground and be mindfull,thats all.In this thread have said the ways you could get in trouble using a chain.

Most of us just cut weeds and grass with their hogs,and most of us mow the same few acres hundreds of times.

Just telling the op of other ways,he can do as he will do.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

At this point, I think we'll let the OP review the information and take his advice from where he sees fit. He's got two choices. One, the established, accepted, recomended method as is normal, or he can be one of only TWO people who believe that the engineers who design bush hog cutters, farmers and mowing contractors who've used 'em since the boys down in Selma Alabama built the first bush hog (w/ "Bush Hog" painted on the side), and darn near everyone who's ever posted their method of set-up......is a "newbie" that doesn't know of what they speak.

I know where I'd put MY money!

 

[greenmule]

Well farm with junk,you have made your point and I have made mine,you can have last word if you want.??

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I know that a lot of guys use a chain instead of a top link. But I've heard more than once that people using a chain instead of a top link have been badly hurt and some killed by accidentally hitting a buried rock or stump with the front of the cutter, and it flipping up onto the back of the tractor.

I don't use a chain for that reason. I've mowed all kinds of terrain, and have never had a problem using a top link on any of the mowers I've ever had.

I'm sorta leaning towards that idea of a mower flipping up and hitting the operator as being somewhat of a "rural legend". I've used semi-mounted mowers on several occasions. They are essentially a 3-point mounted mower that doesn't use the top link at all. Rear wheels are hydraulic lift. Never had one to so much as even TRY to "flip". And that includes once where I hit a buried, sawn off telephone pole sticking up about 10". Caught the leading edge of the mower and stopped a 9500lb/95hp tractor in its tracks.

Most "better" (read more expensive) mowers have a better version of the toggle on the 3-point top link mounting point. They allow PLENTY of flex (up & down) In the case of one Woods mower I owned (BB840) I replaced the two struts that tie the top link mount to the rear of the mower with chains. (Original struts flexed and bent way too much for my liking) Never had a prblem with THAT mower kicking up (flipping) either. It's POSSIBLE in theory, but I've yet to ever hear of a mower raising more than a few inches when it contacts something solid. Generally, a situation like that snags the tractor to a halt like the arrestor cable on an aircraft carrier

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well farm with junk,you have made your point and I have made mine,you can have last word if you want.??

Really? That's kind of you to allow me that luxury. I sure wouldn't have without your approval and blessings. (Sarcasm indicator light flashing!!!!!)

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm sorta leaning towards that idea of a mower flipping up and hitting the operator as being somewhat of a "rural legend". Most "better" (read more expensive) mowers have a better version of the toggle on the 3-point top link mounting point. They allow PLENTY of flex (up & down) In the case of one Woods mower I owned (BB840) I replaced the two struts that tie the top link mount to the rear of the mower with chains. (Original struts flexed and bent way too much for my liking) Never had a prblem with THAT mower kicking up (flipping) either. It's POSSIBLE in theory, but I've yet to ever hear of a mower raising more than a few inches when it contacts something solid. Generally, a situation like that snags the tractor to a halt like the arrestor cable on an aircraft carrier

Ive had my JD 5' flip up several times to about 30 degrees. Its really quite an easy thing to have happen since the pins are about a foot higher than the body of the hog. Its self limiting unless you are extremely unlucky since the bh body rises as it kicks up and naturally frees itself of the obstruction. Your bushogs must be large wrt the tractor to bring you to a stop w/o kicking up. When Im working in the woods in low gears the tractor barely feels the hog as it kicks up.
larry

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Ive had my JD 5' flip up several times to about 30 degrees. Its really quite an easy thing to have happen since the pins are about a foot higher than the body of the hog. Its self limiting unless you are extremely unlucky since the bh body rises as it kicks up and naturally frees itself of the obstruction. Your bushogs must be large wrt the tractor to bring you to a stop w/o kicking up. When Im working in the woods in low gears the tractor barely feels the hog as it kicks up.
larry

The case I mentioned w/9500lb tractor was a 12' Bush Hog semi-mount (single wing batwing) The BB840 was on a 7200lb/60hp Deere. Brought 'em both to immediate stop. Sent me chest first into steering wheel. I guess darn near ANYTHING is possible. I'm must have a little Missouri blood in me though. Gotta see it happen a'fore I'm gonna think it likely to happen.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Not trying to start another contest so please nobody take it as such, I cut bahaia grass here in Fla and if I dont sharpen my blades once a year it seems like I am beating the grass down rather than cutting it. Greenmule you are very fortunate to have the kind of grass you do or a heckuva good set of blades. Anybody else have to sharpen yearly?