Rear Finish Mower Is the top link needed for a RFM?

[GaryS]

My land is hilly. I got a RFM last October and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to use it. I've had the top link pop off a couple times and just figured it out why. When I go down a steep hill unto a flat part, the top link is pushed way back under it's carriage and will sometime pop the clip and the pin comes out.

Do I really need the top link to operate this safely? I have steep hills and don't know what the top link really does with a RFM since it has 4 wheels of it's own. I know that I need the top link to lift the mower.

The owners manual says to connect it but I can't see why.

 

[MikeyB]

Gary,

On very steep and hilly terrain I have used a chain between the toplink attachment pin and implement. This allows more freedom of movement and greatly decreases the chance of bending or breaking anything when moving along uneven terrain. Just my .02

Regards,
Mike

 

[greg_g]

When I go down a steep hill unto a flat part, the top link is pushed way back under it's carriage and will sometime pop the clip and the pin comes out.

I'd say you need either a shorter toplink pin or a more reliable clip. Or both. You do know don't you, that toplink pins come in more than one length? And that there are several type of devices to hold them in place?

//greg//

 

[RoyJackson]

EDITED QUOTE

Do I really need the top link to operate this safely? I have steep hills and don't know what the top link really does with a RFM since it has 4 wheels of it's own. I know that I need the top link to lift the mower.

The owners manual says to connect it but I can't see why.

There's a few area of my lawn I just started mowning without the top link attached. These are abrupt slopes. If the top link is connected, the mower's aft wheels don't follow the ground...no mowing.
At this point in time, I see no problems other then a bit more lateral loading on the lower links. So, I'm going to continue working with no upper link. One potential problem I do see is if going down slope to a level area, the PTO shafts could bottom out. If going upslope to a level area (with an abrupt change), the PTO shafts could seperate. Something to think about...
BTW, I ran the rotary cutter over the field I mow sans top link (last year) with no problem. I intend to do the same this year.

 

[Inspector507]

The top link may keep the mower from going to a position that's too extreme for the joints on the PTO shaft to operate correctly. I think I'll keep mine connected.

 

[jbrumberg]

The top link may keep the mower from going to a position that's too extreme for the joints on the PTO shaft to operate correctly. I think I'll keep mine connected.

I tend to agree at least at this point in time. Jay

 

[greg_g]

I tend to agree at least at this point in time. Jay

As do I. And if the rear wheels of a finish mower get lifted, either (a) the flexible toplink bracket is missing, or (b) the toplink itself is too short. On my finish mower, the length of the lower lift arms (on the mower itself) can be adjusted. Moving the deck forward on these arms is another way of correcting this issue.

//greg//

 

[JerryG]

I have used a chain on my brush hog for several years. I don't think that I would ever take it off when using any other implement. I would be afraid that the implement would flip up and at the very least damage the PTO shaft. I don't worry about the brush hog doing that because of the length and the weight.