bent frame on rotary mower

[MESSMAKER]

The KK frame is fairly easy to remove, so I'd do as you say and reverse it. That might pull the mower in too close to your rear wheels though, so be careful. I'm not sure how you would have pulled the frame forward, as any binding from backing or in the bottom of dips would push the frame towards the rear. Are you sure you have the lop hinge assembly installed properly?

I think it must have been a dip,ditch or something that forced the rear of the cutter up. It seems to have swiveled on the lower arms and pivoted the shackle toward the tractor. When it ran out of movement the braces that hook on the back of the mower drove the bottom link forward. It is still somewhat of a mystery, so could be wrong.

 

[Soundguy]

short toplink, long pto shaft and a rear obstruction could make the top of the a-frame bend towards the tractor as well.

soundguy

 

[Ford tractor]

Your story is an example of why I went with a real MD cutter (woods BB600 in my case). Other brands are similar. Buy by the total weight and that is a decent indication of the strength of the unit. The BB with chains is over 1000#. Hard for even a tractor goof like me to muck it up! Unlike the previous cutters that lasted 2-3 seasons of rocks, roots and saplings...

I would bend the parts back and weld in lots of support metal. If you don't, it will bend again and bend worse (or crack and break). That's what stressed metal does.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I think I am going to flip the mount around. I am thinking it might actually work better with a little more room for the top link. It is just about 7 bolts. Should be easy with air tools.

 

[gauthier]

I use a chain for top link,never would bent it if you'd had a chain on it. And if its now bent,bet you won't even notice it if you went to a chain.

 

[Tractor Beam]

I may be misunderstanding you and this isn't always adviseable BUT this could have been caused be getting into a "dip" and the lack of play (rigid top link) may have caused it. I use a short piece of chain on my brushhog just for that reason. Just remember that by doing this it will allow the tail of the mower to lift with not much to limit it's amount of lift. I've been using a chain for years with not ill effects.

Jay, could you put up a picture to show us?

 

[MESSMAKER]

I use a chain for top link,never would bent it if you'd had a chain on it. And if its now bent,bet you won't even notice it if you went to a chain.

I have thought about a chain but I mow for other people and have to adjust the cutter to suit different needs(vacant lots, back yards or reg. pasture). The top link can keep the front from digging in when you are making a close cut.
I can't see how that would remain with a chain.

 

[jayste]

Jay, could you put up a picture to show us?

Yes sir. I'll look and see if I have one and if not I'll take one.:thumbsup:


BTW, Messmaker, can you post some pics as well? Sure would clear a few things up.

 

[Soundguy]

many mowers have a flexible link installed at the toplink area on the mower so that it has some play.

soundguy

 

[gauthier]

Well,set the mower height with 3 point,basicly the only thing a top link does is lets you pick up mower and keeps mower rear from going down to low,like on a sharp hump,pto shaft might come apart in that situation,and it keeps mower from flipping or rear from raising if front hit a stump or something like that.
Chain will let you pick it up,some,chain will stop rear from going down to low,only thing a chain won't do is stop rear from raising if front hits a stup or corner of hard dirt or something like that.
I mow known ground,rough,but known and this doesn't affect me,cut with it about 5-6 inches high.