Chains instead of a top link for bush hog?

[rd_macgregor]

The geometry of that cutter is quite a bit different than the ones I have ran chains on. I can see where you were having the problems.

What brand/model is that cutter BTW?

My mower is a 6' Walco Whistler.
Shortly after I bought my (first) tractor in 2006, I was mowing an old grown-over field. Rounding a corner, I glanced back only to see the mower climbing the left rear tire! Thankfully, I got it stopped before totally destroying the tire (or hitting the cab!!). The problem turned out to be that the lower link arms were attached using bale pins, not bolts. A sapling stub or something must have hooked a pin out. Having a lift arm slip off its shaft allowed the mower to swing sideways enough on a turn to have a tire lug catch the edge of the mower deck.
My dealer replaced the bent parts for me and bolted the lift arms in place, so no further problems.
Someday I hope to afford installing a hydraulic top link, then the mower top chain tension adjustment will be even easier and I'll only have to dismount from the tractor at the end of the day!

BOB

 

[RoyJackson]

i hear ya.. however I don't make a practice of nose diving into a ditch and mowing a 45' down and 45' up in a 5-6' wide trough.. .. which it sounds like some people are wanting to do.. or planning to do

soundguy

Neither am I, but I seen at least one picture of a TBNer backing up a pretty steep embankment.

 

[TripleR]

Neither am I, but I seen at least one picture of a TBNer backing up a pretty steep embankment.

When mowing pond levies and other embankments I back up and go down some really steep stuff, but I use the hydraulic top link to keep from stressing the equipment.

We also use a pull type that works really well for this.

 

[beppington]

Can't remember which TBN member's this is:

 

[Soundguy]

i bet them u-joints love that angle..


soundguy

 

[beppington]

i bet them u-joints love that angle..

If you look at the PTO-shaft-to-gearbox angle & the PTO-to-PTO-shaft angle, neither seem all that extreme to me ... ?

 

[Rockgod]

i bet them u-joints love that angle..


soundguy

Guess I don't see the problem. Could you explain?

 

[Rockgod]

If you look at the PTO-shaft-to-gearbox angle & the PTO-to-gearbox angle, neither seem all that extreme to me ... ?

Looks like a great way to save a set of lift arms. This method (chains) appears to be more forgiving...

 

[LD1]

THAT is exactally why I like the chains.

And I'll second that the driveline angle doesnt seem too extreme to me. The thing isnt a drive shaft. It is only spinning 540 RPM.

Look at the range of angles a PHD has to go through:confused2:

In a case like that picture, with the equipment on hand, I see no other way to cut that steep hillside. (maybe the OP doesnt have $3k to plop on a sickle). And cutting that hillside would be nearly impossible with a ridgid setup and a LOT harder on the 3PH and a-frame of the bushhog

 

[RoyJackson]

i bet them u-joints love that angle..


soundguy

I agree that constant use at those angles would result in increased wear and a shortened lifespan of the U-Joints, but I doubt these U-Joints see more then a few minutes of operation at that angle during mowing. The U-Joint life might be reduced, but I'd guess they'd still last for several mowing seasons before replacement becomes necessary.
Just my opinion...

BTW, the recommended maximum angle for U-Joints is about 15 degrees and the articles I read that in were discussing pick up trucks with lift kits.