Mowing Brush Hog check chains on slopes. C of G better/worse?

[eastexan]

Really good advice on this forum regarding mowing on slopes.
But I have a question that I didn't see addressed.

I have a 5000lb Case/IH 385 with a very heavy 6' Servis/Rhino brush cutter that I will be using in mowing a slope this year. I have no front end loader. I've been mowing it with a Ford 3000 and a light brush cutter for the last few years, but wanted to get a tractor with a ROPS.

I was going to put some check chains from the mower to the top link bracket on my tractor to save some strain on the hydraulics, but I'm wondering now if that's a good idea. It will reposition the weight of the brush cutter on the tractor.

The way I see it (which could be wrong) is:
With the check chains to the top link bracket, the center of gravity will be higher but closer to the heaviest part of the tractor.
And with no check chains, the C of G will be lower but farther away.

Do you think the check chains on or off will make that much of a difference in the handling of the tractor on slopes?

 

[RoyJackson]

I suggest you try it with, and without those check chains and see what works best...your seat of the pants will tell you the answer.
Were you planning on mowing up/down slope or across?

One thing you do want to minimize is side to side sway. I doubt if you can totally eliminate that sway...but keep it to a minimum.

 

[cowski]

set the check chains on the lower lift arms where the cutter does not hit the tires when you turn while backing.some people use a chain as a top link,this saves the back tire . going up and down hills ,a heavy tractor can break the tire off.that tractor's lift is made to handle the cutter with out any help.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Really good advice on this forum regarding mowing on slopes.
But I have a question that I didn't see addressed.

I have a 5000lb Case/IH 385 with a very heavy 6' Servis/Rhino brush cutter that I will be using in mowing a slope this year. I have no front end loader. I've been mowing it with a Ford 3000 and a light brush cutter for the last few years, but wanted to get a tractor with a ROPS.

I was going to put some check chains from the mower to the top link bracket on my tractor to save some strain on the hydraulics, but I'm wondering now if that's a good idea. It will reposition the weight of the brush cutter on the tractor.

The way I see it (which could be wrong) is:
With the check chains to the top link bracket, the center of gravity will be higher but closer to the heaviest part of the tractor.
And with no check chains, the C of G will be lower but farther away.

Do you think the check chains on or off will make that much of a difference in the handling of the tractor on slopes?

I maybe dont understand what youre doing with the chains ... isnt it just making a hard lower stop point to 3ph descent? The implement will still be held by the 3ph mount points? No difference then. I dont see doing it tho since it will limit your real time hyd adjustment options. Is this a ~1K# bushog with tailwheel/s mostly on the ground? Your hydraulics will be comfortable with this. It may turn out that you need front weight, but that wont be affected by check chains or not. - Just by overhung rear weight and how far back it is. Youll know pretty quick if you need it and youre not likely to be in much danger with reasonable care while finding out.
larry

 

[MMagis]

I agree, it won't change anything.

 

[eastexan]

Were you planning on mowing up/down slope or across?

Roy, I have to mow across the slope because there's a pond at the bottom of the hill and no level place to turn.

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy, I have to mow across the slope because there's a pond at the bottom of the hill and no level place to turn.

Moot point...when I read your post, I was thinking a chain on the top link rather then check chains (duhhhhhh!!!).

Set your rockshaft lever stop to how low you want the front of the cutter. The only aid the check chains would be is if you had a catastrophic failure on a lower link. Then, they would act the same as a check chain on a trailer.

Just adjust your side to side sway as tight as you can. Some guys like to adjust the toplink so the tail wheel is just barely skimming the ground...but you'll feel every movement of the cutter shifting. I like the tail wheel to bear some of the weight...but that tail wheel will follow the contours of the ground and you'll feel that too. 6 of one, half dozen of the other...
Adjust the toplink to what ever best suits you...

ROPS up, and wear your seatbelt!!!

 

[eastexan]

I think I need to add for clarity that the check chains I'm talking about is to maintain the mower at a set height. I'm not talking about the check chains that limit the side to side motion of the lifting arms (e.g. Kubota).
They are also called mower height control limiters or stays.

They are an optional item that can be purchased at a dealer that sells mowers/cutters. Woods, Bush Hog, Rhino, and others make them for their cutters as an option. I'll probably make my own up if I decide to use them.


You can see from the pic's in these threads that they shift the weight of the mower from the lower lift arms to the top link bracket. That's why I was wondering if they would make a difference while mowing on slopes.
I appreciate your comments. :thumbsup:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/143363-kk-brush-hog-3.html
Yesterday's Tractors :: View topic - stay chains

 

[cowski]

i understood what you were talking about. i have used them before ,basically if you have a good tractor lift ,they are not required .

 

[RoyJackson]

I think I need to add for clarity that the check chains I'm talking about is to maintain the mower at a set height. I'm not talking about the check chains that limit the side to side motion of the lifting arms (e.g. Kubota).
They are also called mower height control limiters or stays.

The side to side movement (called sway) is controlled by either a chain/turnbuckle assembly (Deere 790, for example) or adjustable (telescoping) links that are fixed by pins (higher end Deeres, for example) to prevent or limit sway.

Your rockshaft lever should have an adjustable stop on it to prevent lowering beyond a point (but all CUT 3PH lower links can lift above that point). Deere's do...even the "value" tractors.
So I can't see why check chains to set the height of the cutter would be necessary. Your cutter could still dig into the ground (if it's uneven).
Am I missing something here?
I'm also not sure why shifting the weight from the lower links (which are pretty strong) to the top link bracket would be advantageous.