Upper link on bush hog

   / Upper link on bush hog #1  

Eyecatcher

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
368
Location
Pomona Park Florida
Tractor
Yanmar EX450, Ford 8N/2N, Case 580C backhoe, Massey 185
When I bought the EX450, I had a 5' bush hog that didn't cover tread width, so couldn't mow up next to the fence. Traded it (with some boot) for a 7'. The 7' is set up for a class II 3 point, and the EX is classI. Bottom pins are too wide, so I'm gonna try turning them to the inside and see if that helps. The top link is a swing over arrangement, and is punched for both the 3/4 & 7/8 pins. Problem is, everytime you are ready to drop the mower, that link is swung down between the uprights, so you have to fool with it to get the attach pin out. What is that swing over meant to accomplish? Can I just swing it horizntal and tack weld it in place?
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #2  
A make and model plus some pictures would help. Turning around a class two pin will shorten the distance between them but wont make it fit into a class one receiver arm. You can probably buy pins that are class one that are thicker at the base to fit into the class two holes in the tow arms. The top link has travel built into it so that when you come to the bottom of a slope and the tractor starts up the other side you don't force the back of the cutter into the dirt. Users with a lot of uneven ground often replace the top link bars with a chain to get more range of motion in the upward direction. Best I can do with the info you gave. Fill in the blanks and others here with way more experience then I will set you on the right path.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #3  
7ft #2 002.JPGDon't weld the swivel link in place as you then defeat the purpose. Most of them have a stop on the front so they only stand straight up but are able to swivel toward the rear when the tractor goes into a dip or ditch where the linkage exceeds its normal travel. In the attached photo you can see how the link should swivel to the rear. This was taken when my 7 foot bushhog was being fabricated with a 1/4" decking plate using the gearbox and stump jumper from a 307 model bush hog brand mower.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #4  
Can I just swing it horizntal and tack weld it in place?

This will greatly increase the likelyhood of bending or breaking the toplink, or worst the attachment point of the toplink to the tractor.When the back wheels of the tractor sink into a dip something HAS to give or you will be resting on the tractors front wheels and the cutters back wheel ,supported only by the toplink.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #6  
The swing out hook up looks bolted in, why waste time welding it? I would remove it if it was bothering you that much. I see you have some sort of a quick hitch on your tractor? If so, you could replace the swing out bars to a short chain to go on top link hook on QH. That will serve the same purpose to let tailwheel float inwards as needed.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #7  
if the swivel travels too far and binds.. weld a tab on it to prevent full travel and binding.. but still allowing to flex..e tc..
 
   / Upper link on bush hog #8  
I just use a piece of chain and a clevis on each end for the pin to go through. Enables me to cross very rugged terrain. Some add a piece of pipe to run the chain through to limit the up travel to keep from pinching the drive shaft.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I replaced the class II pins when I got the mower. I bought the quick attach ends because the spread on the mower is so wide, I had to beat the lower arms on with a hammer. Quick attach fixed that, but the lower link spread on most of my implements is 26" and the mower is about 30. If turning the pins around doesn't work have to fabricate something. The top swivel is always pointing straight down between the braces when I set the mower on the ground, so I have to thread the top link all the way in to remove the pin. Don't know if it's swiveling forward or backward in use. I'm in N. Fl. so hills are not too big, don't think it would have to swivel too far.

I certainly appreciate all the advice, and looks like the swivel is a necessity. I guess I need to figure out how to limit it's swing.
 
   / Upper link on bush hog
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Just went and read the instruction sheet on the land pride. I'll try it that way before I modify anything. Thanks for that link.
 
 
 
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