convert a pull-type to 3-point

[OldJD]

I have an opportunity to buy a 6' pull-type King Kutter rotary cutter with a 60 hp gearbox.

How difficult is it to convert from a pull-type to a 3-point hitch?

From the photos in company brochure, it looks like this is merely a different arrangement of arms and links. I understand it will involve a bit of bending and cutting of metal but I don’t see that as too difficult. Am I missing anything here?

This unit has two trailing wheels. Do I also need to convert to a single trailing wheel configuration?

 

[Bird]

I don't know how much cutting and bending of metal will be required, but as for the two trailing wheels, a neighbor had a 7' 3-point rotary cutter with two trailing wheels and liked it, until his son tore one of the wheels up. He wasn't happy about it, but instead of getting a new wheel, he just moved the one remaining wheel to the center and kept using it. But he said it worked better with the two wheels.

 

[Toolguy]

3PT Hitch is a nice way to go unless the machine is too big to lift. Why not just go take a look at a 3PT machine and copy it? Take some measurements and pictures and it should be real easy to do. No need to reinvent the wheel, make it exactly like the factory did and it will work fine. Here is a picture of the pull-type to 3PT conversion I did on my EZ-RAKE lawn vacuum.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not sure if this applies to the 6' model.. but when i bought my 5' model (5ys? ago ), the instruction manual showed two assembly drawings... pull type or 3pt. The parts on the pallet were sufficient to build it as either ( I got mine from TSC.. and you assemble them yourself). Aside from the 3pt pins and the flex toplink connection.. it is all the same parts used.. just different combinations and mounting points.. etc.

So.. unless the previous owner did some 'kustomizin' it should be simple to set back up as 3pt.

Soundguy

 

[Newblue]

The pull type of cutter has ridgid type of rear wheels and the 3PT has a swivel type of rearwheel. I would think this would need to be changed to avoid tearing up the ground on turns.

 

[Soundguy]

All the KK 5' and 6' units I've ever seen have swivel rear wheels. And I know that the 5' can be setup as pull type.. the instructions are in the same manual as the 3pt setup options.. all the same parts... I'm assuming that the 6' is the same as well.. a universal kit with a swivel wheel.

Soundguy

 

[Newblue]

Soundguy-- I have a newbie question. I have never used a pull type cutter before, how would swivel wheels keep the cutter tracking strait?

 

[Soundguy]

You do realize that the front of the mower is still hooked to the tractor right?.. I fthe tractor is moving.. it is pulling the mower.. mower has no choice but to 'trail' the tractor. Least resistance for those casters will be 'straight on'.

The KK units arean't a true pull type mower.. they are a frame that can be assembled as 3pt or pulltype.. and the parts have been made to be common between both... being that it has to funchion as a 3pt.... it has to have the swivel caster. i imagine if it was built solely as a pull type. that it would have a fixed wheel.

If you had a problem with the casters rotating in soft soil.. which i don't think will happen.. as due to load.. they should try to trail the pulling force.. etc.. you could tack a bracket to the spindle and to the top of the caster axle.. then drill a hole between both for a bolt.. to lock the wheel fixed straight... Should be a 2 rod 15 minue job including a bit of spray paint to cover the weld..

Soundguy

 

[Newblue]

Thanks Soundguy, I was thinking of the "crack the whip" effect like with a boat and ski tube. I realize tractors don't have that kid of speed. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobJ]

I think NewBlue is talking about if you are on a hill mowing and moving slowly, the swivel wheels in the back and the weight of mower would cause it to want to roll down hill. It would pivot on the single draw bar mount.

In the manual I downloaded for my 4' mower it shows fixed wheels for the KK pull mowers. One model has a jack screw for height adjustment, the other hydraulics.

Rob