48" Brush hog Squealer ?

[PLUMBER]

Just purchased a 48" brush hog squealer used about 2-4 years old .The guy bought it as a package deal with a new compact diesel tracor and he never ever ran it on the tractor once ,it has no sign of use under it at all .I paid $ 500 for it .The question i have is the top part of the three point braket on the mower is a chain that goes from the rear of the mower to the plsce were you connect the top link on the three point ,is this a better arrangment than a soild bracket ? are there any advantages either way.Iwill be using it on my JD 2520 looks like the Imatch might fit ,thanks for you help and opinions

 

[Doc_Bob]

Posting a picture will help.
Bob

 

[Bird]

Plumber, that sounds exactly like the one I had for my B7100. I'm not sure why they later changed to the solid link instead of the chain, and I don't really know that one has any great advantage over the other. With the solid bar (which is what I had on the Howse), if the tail wheel goes over a hump, it raises the entire implement (and the 3-point hitch) while the chain will let the tail wheel and rear of the implement rise without raising the front of the implement. At any rate, it works just fine. If I remember right, the new 48" Squealer in 1995 cost $695, so I'm sure they're more now and sounds like you got a bargain.

 

[Knute]

I purchased mine last summer, it has a solid swinging link that attachs to the toplink. I'd think that would effectively work like your chain does. The front of the mower essentially pivots at the lower arms when the rear wheel goes over a bump like Bird described.

Mine was right around $900-1000, at $500 I think you got a very good deal.

John

 

[Bird]

John, that solid swinging link, instead of the chain, is what my 1999 Bush Hog rear finish mower had, and yes, it serves the same purpose. Then my 1999 Howse 500 brush hog just had a slot, instead of a round hole, in the top for the top link to attach to. It also served the same purpose, but neither has as great a range as the chain.

Now I've heard (actually, I guess "read" on TBN) about the possibility of the front of a brush hog hitting and hanging on something and flipping all the way up and forward enough to hit the operator. Perhaps that's the reason Bush Hog got away from the chain and uses a solid bar now to prevent that. And of course that's nothing more than pure speculation on my part; although I'll bet you could call Bush Hog and ask and they'd tell you why the change.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I have the SQ48 I bought new in Dec'04. It has the swinging top link bracket with the slot. From experience, with a standard D-handle pin, the swinging bracket will transit thru the supporting A-frame (below the pivot point). With the top link lengthened about max, the hog will follow almost any contour or condition. I can't imagine a chain allowing more range of motion. In fact, when I have the front just dragging the ground and it catches the top of a rock or mound, the rear of the hog will raise way off the ground ... I've seen it get to a 45° angle before I could correct it by raising the 3PH. However, if the D-handle pin is not centered, it will hang up on the A-frame limiting movement of the swinging bracket.
Cheers!

 

[AndyMA]

I've had 2 Squealers, both 60". One had a chain and the newer one has the swinging link. They work equally as well. I have used them hard and hung it on many things. and never had either one bounce up.

Andy

 

[Oleozz]

My 22 year old 60" Squealer has the chain and never had a problem. It works as good today as when I bought it. I change the gear oil once a year and keep the blades sharp and it has never left me down.