3-Point Hitch Hook up Woes

[LastSTRAW]

I just got my new DK50SE on Friday and was disappointed to learn that the 3PH hook up is different than on my Fords. With all my other tractors the gear box is rounder so the distance from top link and PTO to the edge of the 3PH lift arms is less than on the flatter Kioti. The problem is that with the BushHog the PTO shaft is too extended to use safely. On my Hay Tedder, the Top link must be extended almost to the limit to make sure the Tedder is not angled too far forward. If I don't extend the top link all the way the tedder will dig in to the ground.

Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[kco]

I replaced my smaller Kubota L275 DT with a Kioti DK35 HST earlier this year and ran into the same problem. I got a longer top link (20" instead of 16") for the brush hog mower, finish mower, and landscape rake. The mower PTO shafts are OK and in fact were too long for the L275. I may also need a longer top link for the rear blade.

I had replaced the two lower finish mower mouting brackets with about 4" longer ones to clear the tires on the L275 and ended up changing back to the original brackets on the DK35.

 

[Andrewnewy]

Yep this is a common problem, PTO shafts are machine & tractor specific. Have even had cases of same brand but different model tractors with different lengths.
Only real option is to buy another shaft if you need to keep swapping between tractors

 

[IronHog]

I just got my new DK50SE on Friday and was disappointed to learn that the 3PH hook up is different than on my Fords. With all my other tractors the gear box is rounder so the distance from top link and PTO to the edge of the 3PH lift arms is less than on the flatter Kioti. The problem is that with the BushHog the PTO shaft is too extended to use safely. On my Hay Tedder, the Top link must be extended almost to the limit to make sure the Tedder is not angled too far forward. If I don't extend the top link all the way the tedder will dig in to the ground.

Has anyone else had this issue?

I never felt the want or need for a hydraulic top link....till we tried to hook stuff up to the Kioti.


FWIW we run a heavy chain in place of the top link on bush hogs. Puts less stress on the driveline.

 

[Coyote machine]

I never felt the want or need for a hydraulic top link....till we tried to hook stuff up to the Kioti.


FWIW we run a heavy chain in place of the top link on bush hogs. Puts less stress on the driveline.

Interesting using the chain in place of the top link. Is there a specific reason you went to this setup from a top link?
Is it a proven method or just a homemade cure for drive-line stress relief?

 

[IronHog]

Interesting using the chain in place of the top link. Is there a specific reason you went to this setup from a top link?
Is it a proven method or just a homemade cure for drive-line stress relief?

Just the way Grandpa made us do it....

When you hit a stump or something the Hog can lift up instead of just being static with the top link. Really saves the gear box and clutch.

We do some pretty rough bush hogging though..........

 

[Doug Lee]

Yep, had an old Ford 1900, when I got the DK35SE I had to order a new shaft from Amazon for my finish mower, the old one was too short. I believe you're supposed to have at least 50% of the smaller inner shaft inside of the other shaft, if that makes sense.

Was about $100 plus shipping from Amazon. Amazon.com: Braber Equipment General-Purpose PTO Shaft Assembly - 40in. Collapsed Length, Model# 69.888.004: Home Improvement Didn't have to trade out on any other equipment, though, my Howse bush hog and rototiller had plenty of shaft left, same for my spreader.

 

[LastSTRAW]

Thanks for the link. I wish I could get Amazon to ship to Canada. Most of the PTO companies do not ship to Canada because they have to get it thru customs and if a customer does not pick up they get stuck with the bill and rtn delivery.

If any of the businesses out there ship to Canada let me know.

 

[grsthegreat]

You can buy a overrunning coupler Overrunning PTO Coupler, 1-1/8 in. x 6 Female Spline - 0271148 | Tractor Supply Company or at most farm supplies. these add about 6" to the pto shaft length. Also, when you shut off the PTO the driveshaft can continue to spin down While THE TRACTORS PTO CAN STOP. I added one to my Kioti so my chipper shaft could reach. works great, and now i dont have to replace the driveshaft.

 

[LastSTRAW]

Great idea. I will be getting one. When it time to make hay and you need to change implements on the tractor it will be nice not to have to change PTO shafts as well. Not to mention that many of my implements have different shafts so I would need many spares. With the extension I won't need any.

Thanks.

 

[Doug Lee]

Bummer. I was about to say that Northern Tool has great deals on shafts, but I don't think that they ship to Canada either. You should check, though.

Locally, I could have gotten a replacement PTO shaft for about fifty bucks US over what I paid on Amazon. It was almost worth the $50 to get it locally for a lot of reasons, but I'm a cheapskate at heart, so I took a chance. It worked out great.

 

[MotorSeven]

Just the way Grandpa made us do it....

When you hit a stump or something the Hog can lift up instead of just being static with the top link. Really saves the gear box and clutch.

We do some pretty rough bush hogging though..........

My hydraulic top link kinda does the same as a chain. When I back up onto a hill, the hyd link collapses on it's own then returns when the hog is back on level ground. I don't have a check valve on the cylinder & I wonder if one was on it if it would still do that?

My side link cylinder doesn't have a check valve either & I need to add one as it just will not stay where I put it. Makes box blading a pain.

 

[8404]

mine does that too. but it realy is just traped air in the cylinder being compressed. I put a chain on the back side of the A-frame of the 3point so i could still use the hydraulic top link and get all the extra flex of the chain.

 

[IronHog]

mine does that too. but it realy is just traped air in the cylinder being compressed. I put a chain on the back side of the A-frame of the 3point so i could still use the hydraulic top link and get all the extra flex of the chain.

That bush hog has stuff like paint on it...and the deck hasn't been replaced by random metal plate

Fancy.

 

[8404]

ya im guilty of being a plate remover, with cut off saw. Its works great for deep grass but it is more dangerous, ive already busted out a window on the orange tractor. Its got paint, on the parts that dont touch stuff besides it mowes amost 400 hours a year it never gets time to rust.

 

[Doug Lee]

You mean it came with paint, from the factory? Growing up in Jones County, I always thought bush hogs just came with rusty metal plate welded on top of a rustier metal plate.

 

[IronHog]

You mean it came with paint, from the factory? Growing up in Jones County, I always thought bush hogs just came with rusty metal plate welded on top of a rustier metal plate.

We usta have an old John Deer hog (actually think it was a stalk cutter)....

Looked pretty funny with a shiny new green clutch housing on that sea of brown.........


Gear box finally gave up after a hard, hard life.

 

[earljr59]

Good to see others like a heavy chain on their bushhog in place of a toplink hooked solid. I run mine on different mowers and tractors for years without any problems.It really helps on rough ground and crossing low spots.A chain lets the tractor and mower flex as needed instead of binding . Flatlanders wont need a chain,but in the hills its great.:thumbsup:

 

[IronHog]

Good to see others like a heavy chain on their bushhog in place of a toplink hooked solid. I run mine on different mowers and tractors for years without any problems.It really helps on rough ground and crossing low spots.A chain lets the tractor and mower flex as needed instead of binding . Flatlanders wont need a chain,but in the hills its great.:thumbsup:

That chain comes in pretty handy on flat land too......when using a hog in place of a small dozer.