Chains instead of a top link for bush hog?

[Oldmopar]

My woods finish mower came with a chain and pivoting lower pin setup from the dealer. He said I would be happier with this setup and having used both the pivoting top and a chain I much prefer the chain. As with anything though, I think its all what you get used to.

 

[MikeA57]

Thanks for all the info guys. Yes, I was specifically asking about replacing the standard threaded top link with a chain, (which I don't remember seeing in any of the pictures supplied) so I''m still confused about that. BUT, I do appreciate seeing the other setups people are using.

And, I'm confused about using the chains for the supports instead of a solid bar as I've seen. I'd never seen that and am not sure I understand the benefit/risk of doing that. Unfortunately though, it's late and I need to get some rest. My company is having their annual conference this week and I need to be rested for that. But I will mull this over this week and maybe comment some more or ask some more questions.

Thanks again!

Mike

 

[soulasphil]

All our bush hogs here are sold with chains supporting the back to allow them better to follow the irregularities of the terrain. Never had any issues with that system.

 

[Soundguy]

it's hard to see in this pic.. but I have an old servis mower .. probably from the 0's I'd say.. it has a small section of chain at the end of each of the bars that travel rear fromt he aframe, and the aframe pivots at it's base where the 3pt attaches.

real old beater mower I got for free.. did a bunch of welding and patching on. works ok.

tail wheel fork and mount had been broke from years of the PREV owner backing into things. finally got it all spabilized and welded up.

it's the mower I use when reclaiming 'non clean' areas at the back of my property.

soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

And, I'm confused about using the chains for the supports instead of a solid bar as I've seen. I'd never seen that and am not sure I understand the benefit/risk of doing that.

Mike

If the implement is set up like my Frontier (Woods built) RFM, the implement would pivot around the lower links while the A Frame remains vertical.
If you have a Quick Hitch, replacing the threaded upper link with a chain would be moot...in fact, the QH would pivot toward the tractor (not what you want). The chains running from the A-Frame to the cutter's deck allow quite a bit of movement and flexibiity.

Although I don't think a cutter would flip up enough to injure the operator, there is a possibility it could flip up enough (or the operator could back up a steep enough embankment) to fully collapse the PTO drive shaft. This could damage the tractor's PTO, the implement gearbox, or both.
A solid upper link would prevent that...

 

[Rockgod]

All our bush hogs here are sold with chains supporting the back to allow them better to follow the irregularities of the terrain. Never had any issues with that system.

I'm liking this set-up more and more.

Thanks for the photos :thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

down here, unless a skid steer cutter.. our are sold with rear wheels. seen plenty broke off though..

soundguy

 

[JWR]

I had broken one of the straps that were the original links between the top of the A-frame and the back of the hog. 1/4" steel maybe 1.5 in wide. Broke where hole was drilled at factory for unknown reasons, maybe to hold the instrcuction book tube ? To get by while having welding done, I made up these chains in the pictures above. They work so well I will not put the solid straps back on until / unless there is some future motivation to do so.

 

[LD1]

Did you realize the thread was 6 years old?

 

[houser52]

Even though this thread is 6 years old I'll share my experience.

I'd never even thought of using a chain to replace the solid top link until I was brush hogging one day some 20 years ago. While crossing a small ditch, the rear tires on the tractor bottomed out in the ditch. The front tires were on the high side of the ditch in front and the tail wheel of the brush hog was on the high side of the ditch in the rear. That left the rear tractor tires suspended above the bottom of the ditch, I was stuck. I had a small 4x4 truck at the time and it wouldn't pull it out, no traction. I finally got the tractor out of the ditch but can't remember how I did it. I just remember it was a PIMA.

The next day I put together a length of chain with quick links on each end that I have used on my brush hog and finish mower ever since, until recently. A couple of weeks ago, while on vacation, I read through this thread and borrowed the same idea from Gordon Gould in post #9. That set up is fully adjustable and works great with my new flail mower, brush hog and finish mower. It allows all three mowers to follow the ground contours while mowing but still have the ability to pick up when transporting. I've never had any problems whatsoever with this set up and the mower has never tried to flip over the seat on top of me.

The best part is that I haven't been stuck in a ditch since.