Lifting Rotary Cutter on Turns

[beenthere]

Don't lift normally, but do slow down on a turn in case the side edge starts to dig. If it does, then I lift slightly. Bur for sure, not road transport height. But do see the manual says it "can" be lifted for turns. Doesn't recommend it, IMO.

Don't see any other reason to lift, including safety.

 

[RoyJackson]

Don't lift normally, but do slow down on a turn in case the side edge starts to dig. If it does, then I lift slightly. Bur for sure, not road transport height. But do see the manual says it "can" be lifted for turns. Doesn't recommend it, IMO.

Don't see any other reason to lift, including safety.

Yeah, I've always (when necessary) raised the front high enough to prevent the side skirts from digging in...the position control (on the rockshaft lever) is set to keep the cutter from dropping all the way down (when lowering after a turn).
I never concerned myself much when I had the 670 and 790 with their cast iron housings. As we all know the newer design machines, such as my 4400, have aluminum castings. Guess that brings up some concerns about stressing the lower link hitch points.
Gotten some great replies here and I thank everyone very much!

 

[clemsonfor]

in a tight turn the mower dosent really cut anyway it kind of beats it over as it really speeds up in a tight turn. I witnessed this last weekend when turning and using sterring breaks in a tight corner of a field i ended up having to just drive over it into my crop (for doves) to cut it down.

The real reason though is if the sides catch it will force it sideways and if its a rock or something like a stump that wont move you will bend something on your tractor but most likely the cutter.

 

[SARG]

I lift the cutter when using a large tractor that has the advantage of a position stop on the lift control.

On my little Subcompact with the 48" cutter I leave it down because it's a pain to get the height set again.