Brush hog converted to finish mower

[RalphVa]

I like the use of check chains and a chain in place of the top link. Think I'll combine the systems and post a picture of what I have. It's very tricky to find the rockshaft position to locate the brush hog leading edge at the proper cutting height. Even if you have a rockshaft stopper or want to just mark with a marker where you drop the rockshaft control to, finding that spot is a lot of trial and error. Frankly, I don't fully trust the hydraulics to hold it there either. Whereas, a chain is fool proof, once you get the length right.

TSC sells some large clip "ovals". One end of the oval will accept the 3/4" pin normally used on the top link. Then you can clip both the check chain mid section and chain in place of the top link to this "oval" clip.

Then I can use 2 more of the oval clips in the holes (about 2/3 way out on my draft arms) to attach the check chain ends to.

Attached is a picture of my present runaway chain. All I have to do is buy another oval clip to go on the top link. Basically, the runaway chain can become a check chain by running its mid point up to the top link pin on the tractor.

The chain (to control the cutter's downward movement, to keep the drive shaft from contacting the deck) back to the cutter can be attached to the same oval clip. Another oval clip will attach that chain to the cutter.

For safety, I plan to enclose all the chains inside short lengths of PVC pipe. If they happen to break, it'll lessen their potential impact.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

Whatever you do to get it ballanced 9 deck wheels/rollers, chains, etc.. remember to sharpen the blade like a lawnmower blade ( an edge) not a 1/8 flat blunt for shredding rocks and 2" trees.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[jinman]

Eddie, here is the setup I used to use on my old Ford Jubilee. I added the check chains to take a load off my 3PH hydraulics and the toplink chain to let the mower really float on rough terrain. It worked well. Your gauge wheel idea will also work, but you will have to be careful with the location. If they are swivel mounted, you'll have to be careful that they don't swivel forward and hit your rear tires. If they stick out too far from the sides of your cutter, you may find you tend to hit objects when mowing in tight spots.

 

[Volfandt]

Greetings,
I've used chains as height adjusters on a TE20 w/Howse 5' bush hog for approx 15 yrs. I mowed approx 3 fairly flat acres with it and it did a near finish quality cut. (when I kept the blades sharpened regularly). The Howse bush hog has a slot cut in the top link connector which allowed the bush hog to pivot up/down an inch or so, over small hills & dips, with the std rigid top link. Just recently sold both.

A pic of how the chain brackets connected onto the top link connector.

A closeup pic of the chain bracket.

 

[heehaw]

old drag type brush hogs are really cheap around here, you might pick one up and have the wheels to go on each side of the mower..
heehaw