Flail Mower chain for top link, flail mower

[allen in texas]

In another thread I mentioned I was confused by those who say they use a chain for a top link when using their flail so the mower will float.

I don't get it.

If I used a chain for my top link, my mower will flop over on it's nose. My mower floats on the rear roller and moves up and down just fine over uneven terrain the three point hitch just moves up and down with the mower. I don't carry any weight on the three point.

Please explain to me what you guys are doing. Like I said, "I don't get it"

Here are pics
The first two are the mower lifted (obviously) and the third is to show it on the ground. The only thing that keeps it from flopping over on the PTO shaft is the top link.
I also realize from pic 3 that I need to raise my roller so I can keep the mower a bit more level. It is set where I used it to mow the grass you see in the background. I use the Hydralic top link to set my cutting height

 

[rjkobbeman]

I think the reason some use a chain is due to mis-matched implement with 3 point hitch. I have read where some implements just dont match up to some of the smaller tractors.

There was a thread going around where a guy bent his top link. I didnt understand how that could happen, until someone pointed me several pages back in the thread where it was pointed out that one of the brakets was upside down.

I agree, properly setup, the implement should raise up as a unit when going over terrain. Without a toplink (i.e., chain), the flail will just roll forward... the lower links will not raise.

 

[beenthere]

I suspect the chain is for a rotary cutter with a trailing wheel.

If for flail mower, post in that thread or link to it here (so your thoughts can be tied in with the apparent chain comments ).

Before the htl, I used a chain for better float on my rotary cutter. After the htlink, I put the chain on the rotary cutter. Works much better than the stiff steel straps (they will bend).

I don't see using a chain for a flail cutter either.

 

[allen in texas]

A quote
"If for flail mower, post in that thread or link to it here (so your thoughts can be tied in with the apparent chain comments )."

I started new thread so all would see it, not just those reading "that" thread.

There has been a lot of discussion on TBN about using a chain top links on flails and I have just kept them in my mind. I couldn't begin to link to all of them. One I read this AM finally put me over the top to ask the question.
Personally, I suspect that those who make those comments have never used a flail or seen one in action but I don't know that for a fact, thus this thread.


Perhaps my thread title should have read, "chain for top link, flail mower, who does it and why? Pics please"


(and somebody is going to have to 'splain to me how to quote only a portion of someones post)

 

[ninefinger]

Sorry about putting you over the top Allen. In my set up, I have an old Yanmar 2210BD with a QH and with the top link in , out and everywhere in between the flail will not let the front of the mower get low enough to get a good cut but with a chain the same length as the top link screwed together(shortest) the front of the flail floats as it should and cuts good. I may be hard on the pto shaft. I will need to check that. Sometimes the chain is tight and sometimes it has a belly. Will be happy to try and answer any other question you have.

 

[sodamo]

Thanks for the new thread Allen. As I was mowing today, I was pondering the same question. More I thought about it, the more I didn't understand how or why it would work. I use the manual, screw type top link with my flail. It appears I can adjust the cut somewhat by the length of the toplink. This is something I need to play with to understand better as the manual instructions haven't clicked in my tired brain. Maybe someone has a good pic?

My take on the chain was the mower would be leaning back, but have a tendency to flop forward. My ground is so uneven, I figured that could be an interesting look.

David

 

[beenthere]

......
(and somebody is going to have to 'splain to me how to quote only a portion of someones post)

allen
Just use the square brackets before and after what you want to quote, with the word quote in between those brackets. In the second ending set of brackets with quote, precede the word quote with a backwards slash / (some call it a forward slash).

That'll do it for you.

You can see the quote brackets by clicking on Quote and it will show those brackets.

Or, hit the Quote button, and delete any part of the quote that you don't want (like I did here).

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Or, hit the Quote button, and delete any part of the quote that you don't want (like I did here).

This is what I do also, easier than typing, for me anyway.

 

[allen in texas]

Re: chain for top link, flail mower who does it and why

allen
Just use the square brackets before and after what you want to quote, with the word quote in between those brackets. In the second ending set of brackets with quote, precede the word quote with a backwards slash / (some call it a forward slash).

cool!!! :cool2:

Learn sumthin' new ever day.
Like how to edit my thread title



UH OH! Didn't actually change the thread title.

 

[allen in texas]

more pics, different cut heights all set with the top link

#1 set to cut low, even scalping all the way to the dirt
#2 Set to cut high, about 5 inches
#3 The bar ditch on the edge of my property that I mow with this mower.