Flexible top link for bush hog?
- Thread starter Syncro
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djradz
Veteran Member
Yes, I would think without a top link, the deck pulls somewhat similar to a "trailer-type" mower. I've never heard of these flipping up on the operator either. Just seems this whole discussion about dangers from a loose, flexible, chain or NO top link are greatly exagerated.
Soundguy
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Here's something to think about.. without the toplink, you still have the pto shaft attached.. that is also going to limit ( in a destructive way ) the max upward pivot-travel the mower deck will have... that is untill something gives way!
Also.. witht he toplink removed.. and the mower still attached to the 2 lower links it WILL NOT travel like a pull mower, as it is still semi-gigidle mounted. If you make a turn.. the mower swings wide. On a trailer/drawbar mower.. when yuo turn.. the mower banks..
Soundguy
Also.. witht he toplink removed.. and the mower still attached to the 2 lower links it WILL NOT travel like a pull mower, as it is still semi-gigidle mounted. If you make a turn.. the mower swings wide. On a trailer/drawbar mower.. when yuo turn.. the mower banks..
Soundguy
N80
Super Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also.. witht he toplink removed.. and the mower still attached to the 2 lower links it WILL NOT travel like a pull mower, as it is still semi-gigidle mounted. If you make a turn.. the mower swings wide. On a trailer/drawbar mower.. when yuo turn.. the mower banks..
Soundguy )</font>
Exactly. It follows the terrain like a pull-type but does not turn like a pull type. If you had really even terrain (it follows slopes just fine) it seems like it would work perfectly. But if there are pot holes and irregularities it will scalp since there is nothing to limit downward travel.
Not to hijack the thread (but we have beat this one to death /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ), what have you guys heard about PTO shafts breaking at the mower end? Is it possible for a flailing PTO shaft to hit the driver? On a 3 pt unit the shaft travels under the hitch mount 'A'. On the pull type mowers that I've seen, there is a bearing that the shaft goes through up near the hitch. All this seems like it would keep one from flailing about too much, but it seems like I've heard of this happening.
Soundguy )</font>
Exactly. It follows the terrain like a pull-type but does not turn like a pull type. If you had really even terrain (it follows slopes just fine) it seems like it would work perfectly. But if there are pot holes and irregularities it will scalp since there is nothing to limit downward travel.
Not to hijack the thread (but we have beat this one to death /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ), what have you guys heard about PTO shafts breaking at the mower end? Is it possible for a flailing PTO shaft to hit the driver? On a 3 pt unit the shaft travels under the hitch mount 'A'. On the pull type mowers that I've seen, there is a bearing that the shaft goes through up near the hitch. All this seems like it would keep one from flailing about too much, but it seems like I've heard of this happening.
Soundguy
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Can't speak for others.. but if the shaft on my 10' mower came apart.. by the time you figure it is half height.( 2 pieces ).. it would not be able to peg the driver... probably destroy fenders, remotes, lower arms/drawbar and tires quite nicely though.
Soundguy
Soundguy
Varmintmist
Platinum Member
Cant say they are the same now but the Bush Hog I bought used is set up with a chain from the toplink to the rear wheel.
It will pivot around the lower links and not bend.
It will pivot around the lower links and not bend.
slowzuki
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From our haying partners experience, the yoke at the tractor will very quickly smash while throwing the sliding part of the shaft or alternatively it stalls the tractor or slips the pto clutch if you have one.
Yes, they have bought a lot of pto pieces. And they've learned to put a lockpin in drawbar pins. A tedder passing you going downhill while spinning at 540 rpm isn't fun!
Ken
Yes, they have bought a lot of pto pieces. And they've learned to put a lockpin in drawbar pins. A tedder passing you going downhill while spinning at 540 rpm isn't fun!
Ken
djradz
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also.. witht he toplink removed.. and the mower still attached to the 2 lower links it WILL NOT travel like a pull mower, as it is still semi-gigidle mounted. If you make a turn.. the mower swings wide. On a trailer/drawbar mower.. when yuo turn.. the mower banks.. )</font>
I know we're beating this one to death, so I'll take one last stab to be sure its got no life left. ... I brought the pull-type argument up, not because the decks would pull the same, but to illustrate that even with only the single connection of the pull type, there's no chance of a major flip-up. Yes, if the obstruction is off to the side, the deck will likely move to the other side around the object, but if the obstruction is near the center of the deck, such as a large stump that clears the underside of the tractor but not the deck, I doubt the deck will do anything other than ride right up over it, or do some very serious damage.
Also, I think many might think the trailering scenario provided by the three-point, minus the top link, is very nice. I can do an awful lot of weaving in and out (around trees, poles, etc) with my RFM that I would not be able to do with a trailer-type (draw bar or hitch) type deck. You kind of get the best of both worlds. (note: for convenience, I usually mow with my top link connected, but loose enough to let the top link mower connection, flex to the maximum.)
I know we're beating this one to death, so I'll take one last stab to be sure its got no life left. ... I brought the pull-type argument up, not because the decks would pull the same, but to illustrate that even with only the single connection of the pull type, there's no chance of a major flip-up. Yes, if the obstruction is off to the side, the deck will likely move to the other side around the object, but if the obstruction is near the center of the deck, such as a large stump that clears the underside of the tractor but not the deck, I doubt the deck will do anything other than ride right up over it, or do some very serious damage.
Also, I think many might think the trailering scenario provided by the three-point, minus the top link, is very nice. I can do an awful lot of weaving in and out (around trees, poles, etc) with my RFM that I would not be able to do with a trailer-type (draw bar or hitch) type deck. You kind of get the best of both worlds. (note: for convenience, I usually mow with my top link connected, but loose enough to let the top link mower connection, flex to the maximum.)
OP
Syncro
Platinum Member
I posted this original question a while back, as to why the need for a flex top link. Today I had to mow the last pasture on our land so I hooked up my bush hog sans any flex top link, and before I started I decided to try a little experiment. I parked the tractor on level ground and lowered the hog. I next took a wood lever and proceeded to raise the back tire of the hog. Well, the deck just pivioted on the 3 pt lower links any easily moved up and down. So to my dumb eye it looked like the tale wheel would do the same on uneven ground, that is move up and down without any flex top link.
Now I know the rest of the world can't be all wrong, so what am I missing here? If the tale wheel will freely follow the ground then whats the point? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Now I know the rest of the world can't be all wrong, so what am I missing here? If the tale wheel will freely follow the ground then whats the point? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
beenthere
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You got it. It'll work.
No need for the top link if you want to run your RC that way, and do not want to lift it off the ground for faster travel.
Just don't raise the 3pt arms so much that the front edge of the deck contacts the PTO shaft and bends it.
But I like to pick mine up so the rear wheel doesn't touch the ground for 'cross country' travel, and I adjust the rear chains so the PTO shaft doesn't touch the front deck edge when the 3pt arms are raised. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif That's all the chains do for me, is provide that freedom of movement.
No need for the top link if you want to run your RC that way, and do not want to lift it off the ground for faster travel.
Just don't raise the 3pt arms so much that the front edge of the deck contacts the PTO shaft and bends it.
But I like to pick mine up so the rear wheel doesn't touch the ground for 'cross country' travel, and I adjust the rear chains so the PTO shaft doesn't touch the front deck edge when the 3pt arms are raised. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif That's all the chains do for me, is provide that freedom of movement.
