Attaching a brush/mower - TS1610

[dasfaust]

I have a Howes 400 mower attached to my TS1610; it's attached pretty much how I bought it. I am completely new to tractors, so I don't know all the terms; but there are two turn buckles attached to the bar at the tractor where a large single "turnbuckle" is installed and connected to the highest point on the mower, and the two turnbuckles then cross each other and are connected by fabricated chain and piece of metal to lower bolts (where some braces are attached).

My question is this, since I lost one of the turnbuckles that came with the tractor, I replaced it. But do the turnbuckles have to be crossed? or can the be attached left to left and right to right from the tractor to the mower deck?

 

[cowboy357]

Looks to Me like its not hooked up right at all or Mine aren,t. Mine has the chain go straight across & the turn buckles are on the outside running straight of the lower arms .

Main reason is to Hold it from going side to side to keep clearence from the tires , At least thats the way it is on mine . But Mines a different model . Heres a few pics . I hope You can see them good enough. Bob

 

[dasfaust]

the side edges dig in to the ground if I am missing one of those, I think they are mainly to keep the front edge up with the rest of the mower. This is basically how I got the tractor and other than the crossed turnbuckles confusing me, it has done a really good job so far. I just need a bit of weight for the front as the tractor likes to do wheelies in medium/3 with that particular mower hooked up.

If the unit is completely hooked up wrong, I guess I should figure how how to hook it up right. But the mower may require the extra turnbuckles to keep it level.

 

[jwscott]

Desfaust,
Your setup is not correct. You should have turnbuckles on the outside of the lift arms that connected to attachment points just under and behind the fender mounts. These attachment points are in line with the front pivot points of the lift arms so everything stays snug whether the lift arms are up or down. The turnbuckles keep the hitch from swinging side to side.

The cross chains in cowboy357's photos are also not used. My cross chains are just hooked along the insides of the lift arms and not used.

You setup looks like the turnbuckles will go slack when the mower is raised. This could be a problem if they contact the PTO.

Your tractor should not do wheel stands. My Howes 400 mower has a tail wheel that prevents this. Moreover I can raise the mower completely off the ground behind my TS1610 and drive around with no wheel stands. The tail wheel also sets the cutting height and allows the mower to track uneven ground. When you are mowing the 3 point lift is not carrying much of the weight of the mower because when it is lowered the tail wheel carries much of the load.

If you are missing mower parts, you can go onto the Howes web site and download an owner's/parts manual to see what is missing.
Jim

 

[dasfaust]

It only does the quick wheelie when I have the deck up; I'm sure there are some adjustments I need to make to the clutch. The Howes has the wheel as you mentioned. I saw some other pictures as well from another source and will move the turnbuckles/chains when the rain clears up here.

 

[jwscott]

I also forgot to mention that I run my mower with a free running PTO clutch. This prevents the inertia of the mower from driving the tractor forward when you are trying to stop.

I just had my mower on yesterday, and could have taken pictures to show you the correct setup, but wouldn't you know.... If you would like some pictures, I could take some the next time I have it on, but that will be 2 or 3 weeks. In the interim, I could take some photos tonight of the turnbuckles so you can see how they go. Please let me know if that would be helpful.
Jim

 

[cowboy357]

Desfaust,
Your setup is not correct. You should have turnbuckles on the outside of the lift arms that connected to attachment points just under and behind the fender mounts. These attachment points are in line with the front pivot points of the lift arms so everything stays snug whether the lift arms are up or down. The turnbuckles keep the hitch from swinging side to side.

The cross chains in cowboy357's photos are also not used. My cross chains are just hooked along the insides of the lift arms and not used.

You setup looks like the turnbuckles will go slack when the mower is raised. This could be a problem if they contact the PTO.

Your tractor should not do wheel stands. My Howes 400 mower has a tail wheel that prevents this. Moreover I can raise the mower completely off the ground behind my TS1610 and drive around with no wheel stands. The tail wheel also sets the cutting height and allows the mower to track uneven ground. When you are mowing the 3 point lift is not carrying much of the weight of the mower because when it is lowered the tail wheel carries much of the load.

If you are missing mower parts, you can go onto the Howes web site and download an owner's/parts manual to see what is missing.
Jim

I,m not sure I understand Jim. are You saying the cross chains are not needed ? On Mine even though they are not tight the chain keeps the lower arms from swinging into the tire lugs when I have no attachment on the rear .

Sorry if I,m Misunderstanding You. But curious as to what You mean . I would be interested in seeing your setup. next time You have a chance. Thanks Bob

 

[jwscott]

Bob,
On my tractor, the turnbuckles keep the lift arms from striking the tire lugs because they restrict movement enough, even with the loose links on the ends, to keep this from happening. I also have the tires in the wide position which gives more clearance. When I got my tractor the tires were in the narrow position. I very quickly remonted them because the Iseki seemed very scary unstable and I wanted all the safety I could get.
Jim

 

[larso1]

Bob,
On my tractor, the turnbuckles keep the lift arms from striking the tire lugs because they restrict movement enough, even with the loose links on the ends, to keep this from happening. I also have the tires in the wide position which gives more clearance. When I got my tractor the tires were in the narrow position. I very quickly remonted them because the Iseki seemed very scary unstable and I wanted all the safety I could get.
Jim

Here's a couple photos that show what mine looks like with a tiller on the back, hopefully you can see the sway control chains. I'm pretty sure it's all stock configuration. Even with the heavier 4x4 axle/diff. up front, mine gets light with the tiller up in the air. I do have the tiller set back away from the tractor further than stock however due to the 2-pt to 3-pt adapter that's in place.

 

[cowboy357]

Bob,
On my tractor, the turnbuckles keep the lift arms from striking the tire lugs because they restrict movement enough, even with the loose links on the ends, to keep this from happening. I also have the tires in the wide position which gives more clearance. When I got my tractor the tires were in the narrow position. I very quickly remonted them because the Iseki seemed very scary unstable and I wanted all the safety I could get.
Jim

I gotcha Jim thanks for the explanation.

larso1 , That tractors entirelly to clean. . Thanks for the pics. Bob