Rotary Cutter 3 Point or draw hitch on a bush hog.

[LD1]

I like the 3PH mowers. Easier to maneuver, easier to trailer. And with a swinging toplink (or a hydraulic TL in float), they follow the ground just as well as a pull type.

But agree with others. You need bigger than 7'.

 

[jdtractor]

Hi I have 1 of each a 3pth 7 ' pull type 10' pull type 15'batwing. I have mowed very steep rough hillsides and rows with all 3. A lot depends on your tractor size and horsepower. A 3pth is good for mowing hills that are steep to the point that you cant pull it back to the top to make another pass. I have used all 3 to do the same work but the 3pth can be lifted to put extra weight on the rear tires. I have done this and do this to the point the front tires clear the ground and float .... You can also pull a mower and put weight on the drawbar but you are limited to the amount and height. With a 3pth you can also back through and over heavy trees brush what have you. You can also back a pull type over the same but the batwing is a little more work for this process. I use a log chain for the top link so as to gain all the flex I can get. As far as width a lot has to do with your wallet and wants etc... I do not like or care for twin spindle 3pth mowers but evey1 has there opinion. Ive never had any luck with them so I run only single 3pth mowers.I run a JD 5115m mfd rated at 115 engine hp according to the specs but it was dynode at more. No brag just fact.It takes more hp to mow heavy grass then brush the grass being thick like the hair on a dogs back the brush having a little less thickness.You have enough tractor to run what ever you choose as far as size . The hills and material you are mowing will help you make your final decision. 1 thing more it takes power a lot more power to mow filth up hill then on flat ground . Been there done that!!!! Just my.02cts Have a good 1

 

[sweettractors]

Hey all, new here and new at the whole tractor thing. Fast and steep learning curve in progress. Lucky I did not kill my self yet. LOL. So my question is, I am going to buy a brush cutter. Looking at a 7 foot wide 3 point Bush Hog and also a 6.6 foot wide WOODS D80 hitch type cutter. My property is some what hilly and some off camber. Sort of like rolling hill golf course. Will be making walking trails around the perimeter of my fields and towing through the woods to clear trails. Good amount of up and down action on hills. So which one is better, easier to use and some pros and cons of each. Both are used and around the same price. Thanx few picks of my rig.

7 ft lift type seems about right for conditions you describe and maybe 10 ft pull type on the drawbar. The 3 point would more maneuverable in corners and backing under tree limbs and such. Ken Sweet

 

[What do I know]

OK, can a swinging top link be added to any 3 point brush hog? Or does it have to be built with the swinging top link already in place?

 

[kthompson]

Think what they are doing with the chain is using a length of chain to replace the top link which you can do with any 3 pth implement. To me two issues, one is unless you use chain that is large enough link to allow the pin through the link you may loose the ability to adjust the length of the chain as conditions may change or you use a turnbuckle in combo with the chain. The other issue is it can allow a lot of up movement with the cutter, not always a good idea. I ran a cutter without a third arm for full float and in the process backed up the side of the and jammed my pto shaft and some of the pto gears in the tractor's transmission. So me, I use the ridged top link with the normally linkage set up on most cutters to allow for limited UP movement of the cutter while limiting it. kt

 

[sweettractors]

OK, can a swinging top link be added to any 3 point brush hog? Or does it have to be built with the swinging top link already in place?

I have a neighbor that swears a toplink, mounted to a traditional 3 point hitch rotary cutter, saved his life. He said he was mowing up a steep hill and the tractor front end slowly started to come up and the toplink stopped the upward movement for a few seconds until he was back under control of the situation. Ken Sweet

 

[bcp]

OK, can a swinging top link be added to any 3 point brush hog? Or does it have to be built with the swinging top link already in place?

I'll bet it had one when new. If you have bars going down to the rear from the top of the hitch, you can cut and add a link or put a link in front like the style mine has. It can be in two different positions, depending on your hitch.



Bruce

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a neighbor that swears a toplink, mounted to a traditional 3 point hitch rotary cutter, saved his life. He said he was mowing up a steep hill and the tractor front end slowly started to come up and the toplink stopped the upward movement for a few seconds until he was back under control of the situation. Ken Sweet

I have heard of this and if your tractor is light in the front end, it is best to be careful. The flip side is bent mower linkage if you cross a severe dip and you don't have some kind of slack. I have bent the linkage several times when using a rigid top link. I use a swivel link as well as a foot of chain on the end of my lift straps which I shorten. A short length of chain in place of the top link works very well.