3-Point Hitch Need advice on top link height with finishing mower

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I put my original top link on and have the floating link as you see in my photo while all four wheels on the mower are on the ground. I just mowed under the lights of the tractor and plow light and it definitely doesn’t hit the pto shaft anymore. Going over a steep slope it still bottoms out and I can’t pick up the mower except for the front wheels as the floating link has no stopping point and just floats no matter where I adjust the top link. I’m guess for now I’ll just hit the slopes on an angle to try not to bottom out the mower and screw up my PTO. Thanks again for your help, my pto shaft is safe for now, lol. I might end up putting chains on at a later date like a poster suggested.View attachment 710681

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

View attachment 710682

Can you roll over your toplink mount at the tractor to drop it down? As in 180 degrees?

It looks like it is just two pins, but does it fit that way?

 

[CADplans]

The part that is hitting the PTO is simply too long,,
Cut it, and drill new 3/4" holes,,,

I have owned 4 finish mowers, they have all been like this pic, and work perfectly,,

Notice how short Woods makes that swiveling "U" bracket!!??

Cut, then drill, it will then be perfect.

Here is a pic of that mower on my JD tractor, the top link is nowhere near the PTO shaft.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

The part that is hitting the PTO is simply too long,,
Cut it, and drill new 3/4" holes,,,

I have owned 4 finish mowers, they have all been like this pic, and work perfectly,,

Notice how short Woods makes that swiveling "U" bracket!!??

Cut, then drill, it will then be perfect.

Here is a pic of that mower on my JD tractor, the top link is nowhere near the PTO shaft.

I was actually thinking about that today but wasn’t sure if I would jeopardize the integrity of the metal. I’ll probably try that, thanks for the photos. A huge help!

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Can you roll over your toplink mount at the tractor to drop it down? As in 180 degrees?

It looks like it is just two pins, but does it fit that way?

I’ll check it out in the morning. I think the draft control will keep me from doing that but if I can, are you thinking I’ll have a more level top link?

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

I’ll check it out in the morning. I think the draft control will keep me from doing that but if I can, are you thinking I’ll have a more level top link?

My toplink has two positions at the tractor, one is for heavy weight, the other for dragging attachments.

 

[LouNY]

I'd just use a shorter top link.

 

[3gunr]

Cad plans is right, That swivelling bracket is to long , My 5 ft brush hog has that same setup but the bracket is much shorter, That would be an easy fix.

 

[CADplans]

I'd just use a shorter top link.

If you use a shorter top link, the rear of the mower lifts, and will not follow the lawn,,
that will leave areas uncut.

Yes, it will work on a pool table flat lawn,, I do not have that ANYWHERE on my property.

 

[sea2summit]

Might have been because I added ot on an edit.

With the floating toplink point the pivot should still not enter the inside of the triangle, it needs to push out when raising so the deck stays level, if it goes into the triangle you start pushing down and the deck tilts rather than raises.

I am pretty sure you have noticed this before on other attachments when your toplink is too long or short. (If it's too long the attachment tends to curl in towards the tractor)

View attachment 710665

You realize that all you have to do for it to flop down is go over the crest of a hill right? It doesn't just stay there in all conditions, or even most conditions. Raise the implement and put it down it will fall down.