1st time at my new property & 1st time ever brush-hogging - some lessons learned

[5030]

I don't agree here, I frickin LOVE having my hydraulic top link installed for brush hogging.

My woods 5' cutter has it's own flexible top link linkage. But the hydraulic top link on my tractor allows me to instantly pull the cutter way up to adjust to big dips or gullies, etc. And when backing into a bush, it's so nice to be able to have a very high cutting height and attack angle before lowering down for the final pass.

That ain't a big tractor...lol

 

[ericm979]

I don't agree here, I frickin LOVE having my hydraulic top link installed for brush hogging.

My woods 5' cutter has it's own flexible top link linkage. But the hydraulic top link on my tractor allows me to instantly pull the cutter way up to adjust to big dips or gullies, etc. And when backing into a bush, it's so nice to be able to have a very high cutting height and attack angle before lowering down for the final pass.

Same with me. All mowers should have a flexible top linkage. Sometimes they do and the bolts are too tight for them to flex (mine came that way from the dealer). The hydraulic top link is useful too but the flexible link on the mower is key for uneven terrain.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

Never use a solid or hydraulic top link on a machine with a long wheelbase attachment. Supporting the tractor by the tailwheel and the front wheels (as in crossing a gulley) will eventually lead to some serious breakage (like tractor transmission case cracking, toplink mount broken, etc) . You should understand the mechanics of the inability of 3 supports unable to conform to local terrain. Use a chain or a rocker link assembly. This puts some slack in the 3 axle constraint (front wheels, rear wheels, tailwheel). Rear tractor axle weight usually wins. What are you you willing to sacrifice ?

Another vote for a chain between the top of the mower, and (in my case) the Quick Hitch.

The chain is barely visible in this photo. It is looped over the top of the QH.



Santa for your rough ground I recommend this solution.

So if I'm understanding correctly, you use a solid or hydraulic link to attach the quick hitch to the tractor, and then you connect the brush hog with the two lower arms to the QH and you use a short length of chain between the QH top link area and the brush hog? The only time the chain is taught is when you are lifting the hog?

I'd have to get my tail wheel working properly first to do it this way. I would imagine too that this is easier on your PTO.

 

[Santa Craig Cringle]

It would be great if some of you that are using chains or flexible top links could post up close and clear pictures of your connections next time you're out. Learning here...

 

[California]

So if I'm understanding correctly, you use a solid or hydraulic link to attach the quick hitch to the tractor, and then you connect the brush hog with the two lower arms to the QH and you use a short length of chain between the QH top link area and the brush hog? The only time the chain is taught is when you are lifting the hog?

Yes.

I happen to have a 3 ft piece of chain with a hook that originally stayed with my Farm Jack.

Now when the mower isn't in use I use this chain to suspend the mower's driveline clear of the ground.

Then for mowing, the chain is made into a loop just dropped over the top of the mower as well as looped around the top of the QH.

No need to duplicate this precisely. Just make some sort of flexible link back to the mower.

 

[California]

Another photo just for fun. Growing apples on terraces is a part of operating here.

If the attachment in this photo were the mower it would need plenty of chain slack to follow the ground.

 

[bcp]

Many of the "slashers" used in AU have chains and no tail wheel.

Millers Falls Medium Duty Slasher 3 Point Linkage PTO 1760mm Cut Adjustable Height #FIDSM180

This fantastic Millers Falls FIDSMSM180 3 Point Linkage PTO 1760mm Cut Adjustable Height. Recommended tractor power: 25-50HP 3 point linkage: Cat 1 PTO speed: 540RPM Gearbox: 50HP Weight: 280kg Deck thickness: 4mm Skid thickness: 6mm. All prices and freight quotes include GST.

mafframachinery.com.au

pto slasher au at DuckDuckGo

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Some instructions:

https://www.silvan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MANSLASH.pdf

Bruce

 

[RayIN]

Many of the "slashers" used in AU have chains and no tail wheel.

View attachment 3498425

Millers Falls Medium Duty Slasher 3 Point Linkage PTO 1760mm Cut Adjustable Height #FIDSM180

This fantastic Millers Falls FIDSMSM180 3 Point Linkage PTO 1760mm Cut Adjustable Height. Recommended tractor power: 25-50HP 3 point linkage: Cat 1 PTO speed: 540RPM Gearbox: 50HP Weight: 280kg Deck thickness: 4mm Skid thickness: 6mm. All prices and freight quotes include GST.

mafframachinery.com.au

pto slasher au at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Some instructions:

https://www.silvan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MANSLASH.pdf

Bruce

This mower has skid runners front to rear too, so it can ride on the ground without damage. The square deck increases tail-swing when mowing around things.

 

[Torvy]

I think a flail may be a bit better on uneven ground.

 

[California]

I think a flail may be a bit better on uneven ground.

I may need a flail mower for next year.

The apple processing plant here will close after this year's harvest. There will be no market for our 70 tons annual crop so the annual pruning, tilling, harvest won't be done by the contractor who has done this here for a half century. I'll be on my own to keep the place mowed.

I think I need an offset flail mower next year to reach under the trees that I can't mow right next to. My photo above illustrates this. I may need a bigger tractor to run it.

I've started reading the Let's talk flail mowers thread here for ideas. I would appreciate any relevant comments posted there. Santa, you might want to read the recent pages there.