ROTARY CUTTER-HYDRAULIC TOP LINK

[flINTLOCK]

I am planning on a hydraulic top link on spring time tractor purchase. It should make box blade more useful. Would it help when using rotary cutter on tall brush, allowing me to tilt the deck of the cutter to back into that brush, rather than beat up the tractor driving forward over it?

 

[RobJ]

Not sure how, tilting it back might cause stuff to fly up into you. The tractor is going to run over the stuf anyway. If it's brush only (no small trees) then maybe, but you could also just lift it up higher and make 2 passes. Going slower might do the same thing.

 

[Glenn9643]

There have been times when I would use the top link to raise the back of the bushhog before backing into brush; many times if I just try to back up and push into a small sapling it'll have enough resistance to be a problem when the bushhog hits near the stump. I can raise the back of the bushhog and back into it and it generally has enough flexibility to bend with the weight allowing me to lower the bushhog down over it to cut.
My primary use for the hydraulic top link and the bushhog is to raise it for sharpening the blades (always put a post or block under the frame before getting underneath).

 

[Highbeam]

I think the point is to lift the rear of the RC and then back into the brush. This is good but be sure not to use your RC for rearward battering ram duty, you can bend things. My RC is bent in the 3ph structure though the deck is still straight. Be careful not to shorten the top link and lift the 3ph arms so high that you drive the PTO shaft into the tractor. It only shrinks so far.

 

[Dargo]

Yup, I built one heck of a frame around my rotary cutter just so I wouldn't have to worry about bending it. Using 2X2 square tubing and 2X3 angle (both 3/8" thick) I added almost 500 pounds to my rotary cutter. I also added an inline slip clutch. I couldn't be happier. My "cheapo" cutter is now considerably stronger than the most expensive models and I've not hurt anything. With a 7000 pound tractor setup I've actually had to ram a few bushes and trees 3 or 4 times to knock them over and chop them up into pieces. I love it! I actually used a larger cat. II top link for additional strength. I don't know if that's needed or not, but I like being able to head out and work all day with no breakdowns!

Good luck!

 

[flINTLOCK]

Thanks for the reassurance. We have some pretty gnarly laurel to clear for food plots and I thought lifting the back of the RC might help, so long as the coast is clear of bystanders. Can you back up until you're over top of heavy brush then slowly drop the RC onto the pile by top link control?

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can you back up until you're over top of heavy brush then slowly drop the RC onto the pile by top link control? )</font>

Yes, you can use a combination of the hydraulic top link and the tractors position control lever to drop the cutter onto the brush.
I have done it that way many times.

 

[couchsachraga]

A hydraulic top link is also great for cutting down steep hills-I'll back to where it's only slightly sloped, and then extend the top link to let the cutter down to be parallel to the ground again...much closer cut (= less brush next year), and no worries of being in a bad position with your rig....

If you REALLY want to get fancy (and I highly recommend this) get the top AND tilt (I got mine from CCM (the tilt at least)). Turns a box blade / york rake into much more useful implements (as if they weren't useful enough already), and also allows you to tilt the cutter over objects as appropriate (are lift it REALLY HIGH on one side over a stump/ rock/ etc...).

I can honestly say that Top and Tilt is one of the best and most worth-while "accessories" I've added to my tractor.

Couchsachraga

 

[Highbeam]

I use the 3ph lift to raise and lower the cutter into tough stuff. Works great and you can lift it back up if things get too knarly. You can also smash things flat with your FEL so that they are easier to mow. Whatever you have to do to avoid getting off the machine. Getting off the machine means your technique needs help, or you need another implement.

 

[3RRL]

It's a good idea to keep your bucket slightly below the RC cutting level when (if) you can. You'll bump into any large rocks or stumps or push them down, out of the way.