Are Tail Wheels Universal?
- Thread starter BuzzyG
- Start date
- Views: 1971
breadtrk
Platinum Member
Huh?
Yes tail wheels on rotary cutters are very universal. They are all adjustable in height. Are you talking about the width of the bracket and the wheel?
If so, you have the wrong wheel.
Yes tail wheels on rotary cutters are very universal. They are all adjustable in height. Are you talking about the width of the bracket and the wheel?
If so, you have the wrong wheel.
Fawken
Platinum Member
I don't know how many people here have done this, but I just took the whole tail wheel and assembly off about 25 years ago and never really missed it. Can turn easier, back under trees easier and takes up less space when stored.
Fawken, The mower I have has been used extensively without a tail wheel. But I find it very difficult to keep the mower stable without the wheel.
Breadtrk, I am talking about the height of the wheel assembly. The shaft that sticks up into the receiver is far longer than the receiver. But that shaft only has one hole for the cotter pin. I am trying to wrap my mind about how to adjust the height. Spacers, I suppose????
Breadtrk, I am talking about the height of the wheel assembly. The shaft that sticks up into the receiver is far longer than the receiver. But that shaft only has one hole for the cotter pin. I am trying to wrap my mind about how to adjust the height. Spacers, I suppose????
bumperm
Veteran Member
I suppose if you're mowing flat terrain, the tailwheel is superfluous. And otherwise might not serve much of a purpose with the limited range of motion of the top link attach point on newer brush cutters.
In the 80's I had a Bush Hog Squeeler that used a chain from the back to the top link attach. This allowed the tailwheel to follow a significant range of varying terrain - you could back the mower up an embankment or into a ditch or gully and the tailwheel rolled along the uneven terrain allowing the mower deck to self adjust. This, with consideration for pto shaft length and universal joint angle of course. Unfortunately, they stopped making them that way, I assume due to lawyers and the risk of the mower hitting an obstruction and flipping forward into the operator. The more limited range of the current designs is intended to preclude this.
I modified mine to use a chain so I appreciate the tailwheel and will take my chances. If the deck flips forward, it'll beat the living $^$# out of the cab, but I should come away uninjured but with less pocket money - - I'll take my chances.
In the 80's I had a Bush Hog Squeeler that used a chain from the back to the top link attach. This allowed the tailwheel to follow a significant range of varying terrain - you could back the mower up an embankment or into a ditch or gully and the tailwheel rolled along the uneven terrain allowing the mower deck to self adjust. This, with consideration for pto shaft length and universal joint angle of course. Unfortunately, they stopped making them that way, I assume due to lawyers and the risk of the mower hitting an obstruction and flipping forward into the operator. The more limited range of the current designs is intended to preclude this.
I modified mine to use a chain so I appreciate the tailwheel and will take my chances. If the deck flips forward, it'll beat the living $^$# out of the cab, but I should come away uninjured but with less pocket money - - I'll take my chances.
Fawken
Platinum Member
Mine is a Hico and when it had the wheel it had 4 or 5 holes to adjust the height. I guess if you posted a picture it might clear up what you're asking.
bumperm
Veteran Member
BuzzyG,
Sounds like spacers would be used on that one. Some use a flat strap with a series of holes in it and a tab on the wheel support that gets bolted to the desired hole on that strap to adjust height.
Sounds like spacers would be used on that one. Some use a flat strap with a series of holes in it and a tab on the wheel support that gets bolted to the desired hole on that strap to adjust height.
Mace Canute
Elite Member
Just buy a whole bunch of flat washers and use them for spacers.
breadtrk
Platinum Member
I'm still not seeing this. Got some pictures Buzzy?
RobS
Super Member
I had a JD513 cutter that self-destructed. Picked up an old New Idea that had a bad tail wheel. Swapped in the JD but the axle width was different. I just bent the bracket that hold the axle and all is well.
CDN Farm Boy
Veteran Member
Glad to see I'm not the only one seeing the obvious. Probably the same reason everyone else is having difficulty understanding the problem....it's such a simple problem to fix
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
The tailwheel that came on my 6ft landpride rotary cutter bent almost the first time I used it. I bought another and it did the same thing. I went to the Kubota Dealer and found the biggest, most heavy duty tailwheel that they had there. It's shaft was twice as thick. I then bought a piece of steel tubing from McMaster Carr that had the same inside diameter of the outside diameter of that new tailwheel shaft and welded it where I cut off the original shaft. I drilled a hole in the middle of it and tapped it for a zerk fitting so I could grease it.
That was about ten years ago and I've never had any trouble with it since then.
Eddie
That was about ten years ago and I've never had any trouble with it since then.
Eddie
