</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks again for all the replies. I can hook up what few things I have but the 60" finishing mower will almost make me hop on the riding mower to cut the grass. This is a great board and I read it every day. Thanks, Billy )</font>
Billy,
When I first got my tractor, I had an easy time with all implements *except* for my rear mower.. which was a bear! The problem was getting the PTO hooked up. I finally bought one of those PTO clutches that just slip on to the tractor PTO shaft, and rotate freely so it's easy to line up the splines. I would have had to cut down my PTO shafts for the other implements to use the clutch with them, but it works fine with no adjustment on the mower and since I only need it for the mower I just slip it on when attaching the mower. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif A secondary benefit of the clutch is that when you turn off the PTO the mower blades just coast to a gentle stop instead of instantly stopping with a jarring thud. (I suppose some would say it's safer to be able to stop those blades instantly.. guess that's a trade-off.)
One other thing I've found.. once I hook up the implement, I then raise it up a few inches, and *then* I do the side-to-side alignment part.. moving it sideways back and forth until it's aligned so the PTO shaft has a straight shot, and then slip in the pins to lock it in that position.
I do the same as most here seem to.. lower links first, then top link, and then PTO.
It gets easier with time! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I used to work up a major sweat attaching implements.. but now it works pretty smoothly, and I'll switch them multiple times per day with no problem. It's just a learning curve, like most things.
I have a gravel garage floor, so dollies don't really work for me.. the wheels just sink into the gravel. But a bit of practice still makes it pretty easy.
Let us know how you make out...
Bob
