Help with top link adjustment for rotary cutter.

[Highbeam]

Things on brushhogs break. I have had the chain pieces break on mine and the attachment links come unthreaded before. What worries me about these chain setups is what happens when the chain falls down into the pto shaft. Whether because of the chain breaking, forgetting to hook it up right, or the lynch pin falling out, I keep on thinking about that chain falling. There is no shear pin protection if the chain wraps around the shaft.

 

[Highbeam]

Things on brushhogs break. I have had the chain pieces break on mine and the attachment links come unthreaded before. What worries me about these chain setups is what happens when the chain falls down into the pto shaft. Whether because of the chain breaking, forgetting to hook it up right, or the lynch pin falling out, I keep on thinking about that chain falling. There is no shear pin protection if the chain wraps around the shaft.

 

[daTeacha]

The way mine is set up, the A frame that the 3 point connects to pivots at a point a couple inches below the lift arms. I can adjust either the tractor top link or the linkage between the top of the A frame and the back of the cutter. That linkage consists of a steel strap and a length of chain back by the wheel. Currently, it's the way it was when I bought it, the link to the back of the cutter is tight when the A frame is perpendicular to the plane of the blades and taking some of the weight off the rear wheel. I adjust my top link so this happens when the cutter is parallel to the ground. The PTO shaft should not be under any kind of weight bearing load, either tension, compression, or shearing.

 

[daTeacha]

The way mine is set up, the A frame that the 3 point connects to pivots at a point a couple inches below the lift arms. I can adjust either the tractor top link or the linkage between the top of the A frame and the back of the cutter. That linkage consists of a steel strap and a length of chain back by the wheel. Currently, it's the way it was when I bought it, the link to the back of the cutter is tight when the A frame is perpendicular to the plane of the blades and taking some of the weight off the rear wheel. I adjust my top link so this happens when the cutter is parallel to the ground. The PTO shaft should not be under any kind of weight bearing load, either tension, compression, or shearing.

 

[1bush2hog]

My concern with the chains unstead of straps would be if I were crossing a ditch the rear of the mower be would be allowed to raise up too far and jam the PTO in a bind. Maybe I don't understand?

I could see where the chains would provide additional float benefit if on ground that is not too uneven and thus would be a nice feature.

I have areas I mow that I have to be careful to keep the front skids from digging trenches when mowing so the chain concept interests me, but the ditches I also have to cross are a concern.

 

[1bush2hog]

My concern with the chains unstead of straps would be if I were crossing a ditch the rear of the mower be would be allowed to raise up too far and jam the PTO in a bind. Maybe I don't understand?

I could see where the chains would provide additional float benefit if on ground that is not too uneven and thus would be a nice feature.

I have areas I mow that I have to be careful to keep the front skids from digging trenches when mowing so the chain concept interests me, but the ditches I also have to cross are a concern.

 

[bbse]

When I had mine setup conventionally (regular top link/no chains) I would regularly shear top link pins and bend the A frame brackets. It might have even contributed to shearing the pto shaft pins, though I do not think so. After I went to chains, I have crossed ditches, steep ravines and worse and I have not had the first problem. I have even dug the runners into the ground and had the cutter almost stand up and nothing happened. I have learned to keep it raised higher in those areas since that happened. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bbse]

When I had mine setup conventionally (regular top link/no chains) I would regularly shear top link pins and bend the A frame brackets. It might have even contributed to shearing the pto shaft pins, though I do not think so. After I went to chains, I have crossed ditches, steep ravines and worse and I have not had the first problem. I have even dug the runners into the ground and had the cutter almost stand up and nothing happened. I have learned to keep it raised higher in those areas since that happened. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[1bush2hog]

"and had the cutter almost stand up and nothing happened"

Was your PTO engaged when you did this?

 

[1bush2hog]

"and had the cutter almost stand up and nothing happened"

Was your PTO engaged when you did this?