Floating Top Link?

JClark · Dec 6, 2004

Whle the short length of the slot does not seems to allow all that much vertical movement at the rear of the cutter (float) it looks like the struts overlapping those dog leg links would hinge up to allow a lot of float when the conditions lift ther rear of the cutter way up. Like when crossing a narrow swale or ditch with the cutter down. Inadequate or no float in such a condition will result in all kinds of bent stuff.

JClark · Dec 6, 2004

That setup will also limit the upward movement of the cutter so that the gearbox won't bang you in the back of the head if you snag the front of the cutter on some immovable object. A chain can't do that.

JackIL · Dec 6, 2004

Greg,

The same float mechanism is also used on the LX 5 and 6 foot cutters. Actually there is quite a bit of float room--much more than might first be apparant.

Looking at the closeup photo of the mechanism, consider the situation where the tractor front wheels start up a steep slope or mount a curb. The top of the mast is pushed back as much as required. Note that the entire mast pivots rearward about the lower draft link pins, and the cross-bolt just in front of the bolt labeled B buckles and moves away from being in contact with the 2 curved members. There is plenty of travel space so no parts on the hitch or the top link of the 3 point get bent from being compressed.

Now for the reverse situation, consider that the front wheels of the tractor start down a steep slope or drop into a cross-ditch. The pin in slot B just moves to the end of the slot and then the entire rear cutter wheel is pulled upwards. Here everything is in tension, no parts get bent, and the cutter is lifted upward.

The primary funtion of these float mechanisms, whatever form they take, is to prevent damage to the cutter and tractor when traveling over undulations.

JackIL

RalphVa · Dec 6, 2004

You guys are really posting some good stuff and providing comments to help me learn how this LX4 cutter is supposed to be set up. It appears that with the iMatch that the top link would be shortened to where it would move the top swivel point back enough to where the draft arms would lift the cutter without having to manually screw it down shorter. However, the iMatch won't fix the very limited float of the cutter (I'm used to my little Gravely having really good float capability.). One of those U-shaped brakets in between would possibly do this but wouldn't allow the cutter to swing down much if the tractor went over a hump with the cutter hanging down. So, I still like the chain better for this with a piece of PVC pipe over about half the chain to protect against chain breakage damage.

I noticed that I can lower the draft arm pivot points on the cutter down one hole. I can also move the brakets from the top link attachment forward one hole. These adjustments would allow the tractor to raise the front of the cutter more than the 4" allowed now and would cock the top link attachment closer to the tractor, which might allow raising of the whole cutter without shortening the top link.

Gotta get one of those pin tightening gizmos to move the pins and need one of those torque-multiplying wrenches to get the nuts off and back tight to torque. May get these at TSC when I get my KK carryall.

Will take pics of the LX4 pin/braket before and after to show you what I've done.

Thanks a bunch.

Ralph

Henro · Dec 6, 2004

<font color="blue"> I don't think so. The TNT remains on the tractor, regardless of the implement attached. But not all implements need to "float". Matter of fact in some, rigidity is key to efficient operation.
</font>

Sorry, I see I was not clear in what I tried to say.

Top and tilt generally involves hydraulic cylinders as the top link and one (or both) lift rods as we all know. What I tried to say was that I added a control valves section that has a float position like a loader does.

Normally, it would function as a standard top link, rigid and solid at whatever position it is extended or retracted to. But if the control lever is pushed to the float detent, then the top link (or a tilt cylinder, I have an extra set of quick disconnects available with the float function) can float the entire 8 inches of its stroke. This would be in addition to whatever float was built into the linkage on the implement...

I was wondering if you were referring to a system such as this...or something else. From what I can see at this point having a hydraulic float capability will be a plus possibly, and should never be a negative, as I will not have to use it if I don't want to... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

greg_g · Dec 6, 2004

Good technique Jack, using salesmanship as a teaching tool. Judging by your descriptions, Ralph shouldn't have the problems stated, on a properly set up LX4. Deja vu.

//greg//

RalphVa · Dec 15, 2004

I moved my hitch pins on the LX4 to their lower holes yesterday. This causes the top link attachment to swivel forward a tad. Might work now with a fixed top link. However, I plan to use chains, one to stop it from going too low in back in operation or when raising the deck and a second as a check/limit chain. Will do some pics when I get around to this.

The manual on the LX4 clearly says to attach the brackets (the straps that goes from top link attachment back to rear side of the deck) in the rear holes for low hitch pin location. Put in front holes for high hitch pin location. My brackets were attached in the rear holes with the hitch pins set high, clearly wrong and caused the top link to be too long. This caused the draft arms to want to swivel the tail wheel down into the ground when raising with the rockshaft.

Ralph