Hooking up my bushhog

[Deadman]

I mow with the front of my LX4 laying on the ground! It cuts down to 1 inch that way. Its great because then the grass kinda gets dry and burned from the sun and that stunts its growth. I know it is wearing on my skids, but in 10 years, I'll weld a small piece of flat iron on the bottom and let it drag for 10 more years! I keep the rear raised a bit with the rear wheel. that way it can throw the clippings out easier. My little 4 footer often throws long grass/weeds 20 feet and scatters them.

 

[Dave5264]

Just read through this post, and i have a Question (Newbie), the top link on my 3pt is a solid shaft with an adjustable screw style section (probably standard fare), how do you "Get Slack" in that ?...by definition its a solid connection that either pushing or pulling on the top link of the Mower isnt it...what am i missing ?

thanks guys

 

[IslandTractor]

Basically you cannot get slack with a solid topping lift. Some mowers have a slot and a round hole so you can choose the slot which gives some of the same effect as using a chain. Other mowers have a pivoting topping lift attachment which also serves the same purpose.

 

[SideHillBill]

If your tractor has a draft control, hook the 2 lower arms up then adjust the draft control so the bush hog is level or slightly higher in the front. (Slightly higher if you're going to in heavy brush or high grass). Then adjust your top link so the pin goes in easily when you hook it up (no tension). Happy hoggin.

 

[JoeL4330]

how to get slack: (1) the implement has a swinging toplink; (2) use a chain instead of a rigid toplink; (3) find, get and use the harbor freight quickhitch toplink adapter; (4) unhook the toplink when the implement is in use, reconnect for transport.

 

[gerard]

Just read through this post, and i have a Question (Newbie), the top link on my 3pt is a solid shaft with an adjustable screw style section (probably standard fare), how do you "Get Slack" in that ?...by definition its a solid connection that either pushing or pulling on the top link of the Mower isnt it...what am i missing ?

thanks guys

The "slack" comes from the mower itself, a solid toplink doesn't affect this. Some articulations are swinging joint, others use chains. Either one the top link should be adjusted to leave slack in the mowers articulating mechanism. Tis allows the mower to follow the contours of the ground as the tractor goes up and down on hills. If you take out this slack, the mower will not follow as well, raising up and leaving unmown or high spots. Something NOT mentioned yet is the use of check chains which take the weight off the three point rocker arm. I use these to good effect. You lower the three point all the way and the check chains keep it from going all the way to the ground BUT the articulating joint still swings free, allowing the rear of the mower to "float" up and down over hills. (If you have a perfectly flat mowing surface this is a lot less important)

 

[have_blue]

Just read through this post, and i have a Question (Newbie), the top link on my 3pt is a solid shaft with an adjustable screw style section (probably standard fare), how do you "Get Slack" in that ?...by definition its a solid connection that either pushing or pulling on the top link of the Mower isnt it...what am i missing ?

thanks guys

On your bush hog,,, if you don't have a hinged link on the top hitch point on the A frame, then you may have a slotted link farther back on the A frame. Next time your bush hog is unhitched, see if the entire A frame will hinge back a foot ot so. My Squealer has such an arrangement, and it works fine.

 

[Dave5264]

Basically you cannot get slack with a solid topping lift. Some mowers have a slot and a round hole so you can choose the slot which gives some of the same effect as using a chain. Other mowers have a pivoting topping lift attachment which also serves the same purpose.

Ahhh....yes...thanks...mine has that swivel top link on the mower bracket....makes sense now.