3-point question

[TGF]

I just got my first 3 point rotary cutter, the only thing I had before was a snow blower and a post hole digger. I am a bit confused on the rotary cutter, maybe I have done something wrong. With both the blower and digger the 3 point can lift it up and down. With the rotary cutter it just seems to tilt the deck. I also have an issue when I turn to tight with it the bottom three point arms rub the back tires, and backing up with it is a PITA.

Any tips, this is obviously the biggest heavies 3-pint implement I have.

I have a 3038E
The rotary cutter is a RC2060.

 

[TripleR]

It sounds as though you don't have your top link adjusted properly or the width of your lift arms.

 

[PM1]

This is purely guesswork, but it sounds like your toplink might be adjusted too long. Try shortening your toplink to see if that makes a difference when you lift the mower.

If the tire rubbing on the 3-pt arms only happens when you turn tight, your sway chains may be adjusted too long. They should be adjusted to prevent your attachments from moving too far to either side during transport or operation.

Hope that helps.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Sounds like 2 issues...

1) Your top link is too long. The rotary cutter is supposed to have some play in the top link attachment so that it follows the contour of the ground when mowing, but you should be able to lift it off the ground when you raise your 3 pt. far enough.

2) Your side links on your 3 pt. are not tight. This causes the side to side play. I'm guessing that your other two implements are very close to the same hitch width, and the new rotary cutter is a little wider. There should be a turnbuckle going from somewhere about midway out each lift arm to somewhere near where the lift arm attaches to the tractor. Make sure that these are snug enough to keep the implement from swinging far enough to hit anything on the wheels.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

This is purely guesswork, but it sounds like your toplink might be adjusted too long. Try shortening your toplink to see if that makes a difference when you lift the mower.

If the tire rubbing on the 3-pt arms only happens when you turn tight, your sway chains may be adjusted too long. They should be adjusted to prevent your attachments from moving too far to either side during transport or operation.

Hope that helps.

Great minds think alike.

So do yours and mine.

 

[TGF]

you guys were dead on, the sway chains are loose, tightened those up and fixed the side to side and reverse problems. I will address the top link here in a bit, thanks much guys.

 

[Chilly807]

From what I can see online, there is no "flex link" on the Frontier cutters. On the Land Pride models, there is a pivoting U shaped bracket for the top link to attach to. It provides a positive lift, yet allows the cutter to follow the terrain better. You adjust it so that there is some slack in the linkage when the mower is level. If there's too much slack, the deck won't lift enough to travel well.

Land Pride RCR18 Series Rotary Cutters

I've also seen a short piece of chain used in place of a top link.

Sean

 

[djradz]

The tire rubbing when the deck is lifted can also be a result of the location of the pins on the deck. Several others here on TBN have noted similar problems and usually end up moving the two (2) lower link pin locations down to a lower hole, or in rare cases, drill two new holes lower. Here on TBN this has been more common when a smaller tractor is using a larger rotary cutter. Good luck, I'm sure you get a solution(s).

 

[TGF]

I was able to resolve the tire rub by tightning the sway chains. I still haven't figured out exactly why it won't lift. In going through the instructions it says it says the bottom pins can be moved to the inside so its not so wide, but I don't think i need to do that. It also says the hitching mechanism can be reversed so it leans forward instead of backward. I am not sure if reversing the hitch will fix the lift issue. I am still trying to figure out why it won't lift i have tried making the top link longer and shorter. The mow deck weighs less than max lift by quite a bit.

Is this one of those cases where a hydrualic top link would be handy?

 

[jayste]

TGF, all these guys are dead on with what could be the problem. I think at this point some pics might really clear some things up. If you have the time and the camera I'd take some pics and post them. A hydraulic top link is nice but not needed for your brush cutter. Like mentioned also is a chain can be used as well but special attention is needed when you use a chain. If you can show us some pics and we can better evaluate your situation.:thumbsup: