I have what "appears" to be a Ford 4000 tractor. I just bought a county line 5' rotary cutter and I have used it a few times. The problem is that it is not straight behind the tractor. When I lift it off the ground I can straighten it but when it lowers it veers to the right. Is there a way to tighten or adjust the lower lift arms to hold an implement straight. It is causing the cutter to vibrate when engaged if it is to the side. While the cutter is straight it is fine. Sorry for my ignorance. I am a newbie. Thanks.
Rotary Cutter Help
- Thread starter sammy1
- Start date
- Views: 1257
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 23,144
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
Your tractor's lower links should have an anti-sway device of some sort. With an older tractor like your Ford 4000, that would very likely be a turnbuckle attached to the lower links to a fixed position on the tractor's frame. KubotaSam's attached picture shows such a device. Yours should be quite similar.
These anti-sway devices need to be adjusted (tightened). The process to do this is pretty simple and I'll be using a turnbuckle as an example.
Once the cutter is rigged to the tractor, raise it a few inches (get the side skirts and tail wheel off the ground). By hand at the tail wheel, see how much lateral (side to side) movement you get. You shouldn't get more then 5-6 inches. If you do get more, tighten the turnbuckles equally on both lower links until you get the minimum side to side movement. You won't eliminate all of the movement, BTW.
IF you have the tractor's manual, it should describe what you have to do. If not manual, try what I suggested above.
Here's a link for using cutters on an older tractor:
Yesterday's Tractors - Choosing, Mounting and Using a Bush Hog Type Mower
These anti-sway devices need to be adjusted (tightened). The process to do this is pretty simple and I'll be using a turnbuckle as an example.
Once the cutter is rigged to the tractor, raise it a few inches (get the side skirts and tail wheel off the ground). By hand at the tail wheel, see how much lateral (side to side) movement you get. You shouldn't get more then 5-6 inches. If you do get more, tighten the turnbuckles equally on both lower links until you get the minimum side to side movement. You won't eliminate all of the movement, BTW.
IF you have the tractor's manual, it should describe what you have to do. If not manual, try what I suggested above.
Here's a link for using cutters on an older tractor:
Yesterday's Tractors - Choosing, Mounting and Using a Bush Hog Type Mower
backdoor
Silver Member
You need a stabilizer bar. Also called sway bar. About 32 inches long, hole in each end. One end fits over the pin in your cutter where the lower lift arm fits, other end fits on a similar pin under the tractor axel near the tire. Usually doesn't matter if you use it on the right side or left side.
Use the sway bar if you don't have any kind of turnbuckle or adjustable chain.
Use the sway bar if you don't have any kind of turnbuckle or adjustable chain.
Last edited:
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 23,144
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
Since you also have a Ford (not a 4000 though), it's quite likely you're describing what sammy1 needs to do...but since he's new to tractors, any chance of getting a picture for him?
backdoor
Silver Member
Sorry for the delay getting back here. I hauled in another load of firewood for my outdoor wood heater.
I cannot do pictures on my computer. I've been a carpenter all my life. If it's made of wood I can do it, but not much else.
Most of the equipment sales places have websites that will show stabilizer bars, and probably whoever sold you the cutter will be able to show you what you need and how to use it. Hope this helps.
I cannot do pictures on my computer. I've been a carpenter all my life. If it's made of wood I can do it, but not much else.
Most of the equipment sales places have websites that will show stabilizer bars, and probably whoever sold you the cutter will be able to show you what you need and how to use it. Hope this helps.