BX25 LandPride 48 Rotary Cutter

[bikerdib]

You might want to get yourself a quick hitch. It's a real back saver, I hook up most of my equipment without even getting off the tractor just by maneuvering the tractor forward or backward slightly to line everything up. On the shredder I just have to get off to hook up the drive shaft and off I go.

The cheapest I've found is from Harbor Freight tools (it's Chinese of course) or other places like Agri Supply has them also. Even my dealer carries them; he has them available up to Category 3.

Here is the one I got from Harbor Freight (lucky me, there is a store 45 miles from me so I didn't have to pay shipping):

3-Point Quick Hitch - 27-1/2" Clearance

 

[Delphicoder]

On the quick hitch, that sounds like a really good idea. What size tractor do you have?

I need to do something, like build some dollies for this stuff, it is just way too heavy for me since I am not a teenager anymore.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Well bleep, now I want a 48 incher

More info on the quick hitch please. I'm still muscling the 42 on and off with the help of a stout 2x4 for a lever, but I'm a young 61 years old. By 62, no way....

Z.

 

[beppington]

You can build yourself a simple dolley out of 2x4's or 4x4's, some screws or bolts, & four dolley wheels.

It's very nice to be able to just push the bush hog around by hand to get it lined up.

 

[bikerdib]

The quick hitch I provided a link for is a Cat 1 hitch. Most modern implements are made to a standard (ASAE) meaning the pins are pretty much the same distance apart on the equipment.

I have a B7300. You use the top link from your tractor to the pin at the top of the quick hitch (the silver one); the tractor lift arms go to the two pins at the bottom of the quick hitch (again the silver ones). This stays on the tractor.

You just line up the tractor with the implement, flip the two spring loaded handles on top of the quick hitch which open the locks on the lower lift points of the quick hitch (I can reach the levers from the seat of my tractor). Back up till the lower U shaped receivers are lined up with the 2 lift pins on the implement (they don't even have to be level, one will lift the implement level till the other engages using the tractors 3pt lift), once the pins are in the receivers you flip the spring loaded handles. Then like I said move the tractor backward or forward till the top U shape receiver on the quick hitch lines up with the top link pin on the implement (I usually remove the pin to make it easier, again; I can do this from the seat of my tractor). To unhook an implement you just do the reverse.

I can even reach back and adjust the tilt of the implement by turning the toplink from the seat of my tractor (on large tractors most use a hydraulic top link for adjustment).

I have a box blade, 3pt scoop, middle buster/sub soiler and shredder; the only time I have to get off the tractor when hooking up or unhooking an implement is to connect the drive shaft of the shredder.

I did the pulling around, grunting and sweating hooking up implement thing also till I heard about the quick hitch. With the quick hitch it's almost fun changing implements; that should tell you a lot!!

One suggestion I'd make before buying; measure the distance between the base of the lift pins on your implements because as you can see, the bottom distance on the quick hitch is fixed and not adjustable. Like I said, most modern implements use the ASAE standard. Even my older 3pt scoop fits the quick hitch though.

 

[radioman]

I use the harbor freight quick hitch too. It helps to lengthen the PTO shaft so I don't need to cut it with my tiller. same goes with brush hog.
On side note, I don't think you feathered in the pto clutch right since you had it coughing black smoke and it lugged.

what you do is have rpms about 1200-1400 before engaging. No need to sweat the exact rpms, you dont want it high nor at idle either. Shift the pto engagement down till its about 1 or 2 fingers (depending how big your fingers are) away from the engaging and WAIT!!!!! this will "feather in" the pto wet clutch and no luggin or smoking of engine. Once it starts to spin, you can now start shifting it all the way and over to lock it in to running position. This is the best way to engage your BX pto. FYI- it will be a bit longer wait with bush hog then a MMM or tiller due to inertia of huge single blade.

did you check the gear box oil level on landpride?

 

[Delphicoder]

Hi Radioman.

Thanks for the tip on engaging the rear pto. I did not realize you could just ease it into active. Nice.

When I picked it up, the dealer went over everything with me, and said they had already filled it up. He said to check it like every other time / day I go to use it.

One the pto shaft length, I followed the instructions, and it said to cut it if there was less than one inch from the rear u joint to the outer tubing. Mine was like 8 or so, so I was fine on that.

I LIKE those quick hitches. Last night it was getting dark, and the wife told me they were calling for rain for the next few days. So I had to run out, unhook the cutter (after trying to decide where to "park" it, move the scraper blade, then reattach the backhoe so I could get the tractor and backhoe in the garage.

One thing that kinda bugs me, is that I try to keep the tractor and hoe out of the rain, and keep it in my garage. However, the dealers leave everything out in the rain and elements. Maybe I should as well, but it just seems like asking for trouble.

I feel bad that at the moment my new cutter is sitting out in the far corner of the driveway getting all rained on. I know, I know, it is just a tractor implement ($$$$), but it has moving parts, gearboxes, etc that I would think would rust up...

 

[TripleR]

Hi Radioman.

One thing that kinda bugs me, is that I try to keep the tractor and hoe out of the rain, and keep it in my garage. However, the dealers leave everything out in the rain and elements. Maybe I should as well, but it just seems like asking for trouble.

I feel bad that at the moment my new cutter is sitting out in the far corner of the driveway getting all rained on. I know, I know, it is just a tractor implement ($$$$), but it has moving parts, gearboxes, etc that I would think would rust up...

I prefer to keep everything out of the weather if at all possible. I don't worry about a day or so here and there, but anything long term and we try to cover it.

 

[Singlecoil]

Looks great! I have the same one for my BX-24. I seem to remember having to cut the shaft on mine a little shorter but I can't remember for sure. I'm pretty sure I put a hacksaw blade on my sawsall and took off an inch or so in short order.
As for the safety chains, I used to hook that front one to the welded loop on the top link as someone else mentioned, but I have since lost the chain. It is kind of a pain to raise and lower the wheel. I wish they had a better system for that.