Category I Isn't Always Category I??

[CADplans]

I have heard of limited CAT I, but,, otherwise, I thought CAT I was CAT I.
Not so,,
I purchased a Woods RD72 mower last weekend,, to use behind my CAT I equipped JD 4105.

I unloaded the mower, backed up the 4105, checked the PTO length,,, and then connected the mower to the tractor.
When I lifted the mower, this is what I found when I rotated the gauge wheels.

The previous owner told me one of the gauge wheels had been bent,, I think this is what caused it.
The Woods manual says if this interference occurs,, move the rear tires to eliminate the interference.
That ain't happening,,,

I decided I would move the mower back with a couple bracket extensions.
That seemed it would be easy enough,, NOT!!

I fabricated a couple extensions,, 3/4X4X10 inches.
I drilled 2 hole 6 inches apart,,
Then I bolted the extensions on,,,
The first time I lifted the mower with the extensions,, I think the gauge wheel clearance was even worse!!

Then,, I rotated the extension,, and lifted again,, better.
I rotated the extensions some more,, even better.
Finally, I found what seemed like the sweet spot.

With the mower all the way up, I have about 3 inches of clearance between the tractor tire and gauge wheel.

The mower seems to be located in a nice spot for mowing,,,

but,, I will have to wait for the Harvey rain to pass before I can give it a test.

I guess I have learned,, CAT I is not always CAT I.
LOL!!

 

[bcp]

Cat 1 is Cat 1 but your tires are too big.

Bruce

 

[CADplans]

Cat 1 is Cat 1 but your tires are too big.

Bruce

Actually, I kinda think that is true.
The tires they put on this tractor are enormous, compared to the rest of the tractor.

But,, I think the previous owner had a similar issue with his Kubota,,,

 

[Wagtail]

Actually, I kinda think that is true.
The tires they put on this tractor are enormous, compared to the rest of the tractor.

But,, I think the previous owner had a similar issue with his Kubota,,,

You bugger! All this time you've had a 4105 and never mentioned it.

 

[2458n]

My old Kubota had shorter arms on the rear lift than on a Ford 8n. Some of the Dearborn stuff ended up to close also. Your repair seems well thought out.

 

[4get gto]

I wonder if a quick hitch would have pushed it back far enough?

 

[CADplans]

I wonder if a quick hitch would have pushed it back far enough?

I have a quick hitch, and considered that route,,

I needed chains, etc substituted in at the top link, so my first try was the extension brackets.
Removing the brackets only involves 2 bolts,, so I may yet try that.

The other reason I did not try the quick connect first was that it looked like I needed more like 6 inches.
The quick connect would only move the mower 4 inches.

 

[CADplans]

You bugger! All this time you've had a 4105 and never mentioned it.

I picked the 4105 up this spring,, it is a nice tractor,, but, it is no IH 584,,,

The 4105 gets to do important tasks,, like moving the grandchildren,,,

and hauling the grandchildren's race car,,,

 

[Wagtail]

I picked the 4105 up this spring,, it is a nice tractor,, but, it is no IH 584,,,

The 4105 gets to do important tasks,, like moving the grandchildren,,,

and hauling the grandchildren's race car,,,

Both noble tasks!

 

[LD1]

In fairness, cat 1 just refers to a handful of hitch measurements, and pin diameters. Just enough to make sure it will physically hook up.

Beyond that, it's a crapshoot. It's up to the implement mfgs to make something useful that won't interfer with the rest of the tractor.

Looking at your lift arms, and how far behind the wheels they extend.....I'd say by my eyeball that looks about normal.

And that in this case, the implement mfg should have done better.

Alot of cheap blades and landscape rakes, especially over 6'....won't allow you to rotate the blade 180 degrees without hitting a tire either