Middle buster flipping over!

[VTSasquatch]

I bought a middlebuster for my 30 hp tractor. If I use a long toplink the blade is parallel to the ground and doesn't dig. If I shorten the top link the blade digs but pulls back so far that the top link gets pushed forward and the middlebuster pulls back so only the point touches the ground. I know this is not a great description but if someone else has had this problem maybe they will understand what I am talking about. It seems like the shaft on the middlebuster is too short. Any suggestions? As far as I can tell my 3 pt hitch is not adjustable. (Massey Ferguson 220-4).

 

[beenthere]

I removed the top link on my ripping tooth, and connected a chain to the drawbar to pull on the shaft (below the 3 ph arm attachment points). It pulls straighter, and the length of the chain adjusts the engaging angle of the tooth.

 

[rus_geek]

Sounds like your top link is too short, or you're attaching too high on the tractor (if you have multiple options).

 

[tommu56]

I bought a middlebuster for my 30 hp tractor. If I use a long toplink the blade is parallel to the ground and doesn't dig. If I shorten the top link the blade digs but pulls back so far that the top link gets pushed forward and the middlebuster pulls back so only the point touches the ground. I know this is not a great description but if someone else has had this problem maybe they will understand what I am talking about. It seems like the shaft on the middlebuster is too short. Any suggestions? As far as I can tell my 3 pt hitch is not adjustable. (Massey Ferguson 220-4).

I don't under stand parallel the back of the middle buster should be perpendicular to the ground.

post a picture

tom

 

[bp fick]

Compare, if you will, your setup to this. What do you think?

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks for the input. Compared to the pics, my top link is attached much higher on my tractor. It is on the lower connection point but it is still too high. I guess that is why I say the shaft on the middlebuster is too short, blame the attachment. My tractor is probably too tall for the class 1 middlebuster. My rear tires are over 4' tall.

The idea of a chain to the drawbar is a good one. I'll have to give that a try since my anchor point is too high. As far a pics, the best I have is one taken by a friend with his cell phone. Not great quality but it shows how I have it mounted.

 

[VTSasquatch]

You can sort of tell from the pic but when the middlebuster is lowered the top link angles downward.

 

[bp fick]

The picture is a bit distant, as you say, but still, it does look as if the implement is a shorty. Unless your 3 pt lower arms can descend to a very low position, ie, just a few inches from the ground, I'd say you'd have difficulty going very deep with that particular plow. Nice plow, but as you say, might be too short, not long enough in the shank for your tractor. The good news is that these plows are inexpensive and you'd have no problem selling yours.

I've seen these plows at TSC in differing shaft lengths. Mine is approximately 36" tall, holding it standing, on cement. You'd likely want one 6" taller.

 

[Ford850]

Are you sure you have the blade attached correctly? It looks like the bottom of your blade is level while the middle buster is leaning forward. The blade should be angled down (point down) when the main beam of the middle buster is plumb or even leaning back somewhat.

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks guys. The one I have is from TSC and it's brand name is CountyLine. It only came in one size for a category 1 3pt hitch - at least at my local TSC. The blade was already installed when I bought it from Tractor Supply but I guess they could have put it on wrong. I'll take a closer look this weekend since the tractor is at our cabin not at home. Thanks for the help. I do think connecting to the drawbar might work.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/agricu...quipment/countyline-reg-middle-buster-2128228

 

[VTSasquatch]

I tried making the pic a little bigger:

 

[Baby Grand]

Are you sure you have the blade attached correctly? It looks like the bottom of your blade is level while the middle buster is leaning forward. The blade should be angled down (point down) when the main beam of the middle buster is plumb or even leaning back somewhat.

Second that. Check that the bolts are still tight between the blade and the frame. Looks like the lower bolt may have sheared or loosened, allowing the blade to tip up some.
-Jim

 

[porky69]

Looks to me like they might have put a middlebuster plow blade on a subsoiler frame.

If you look at a subsoiler and a middlebuster side by side the mounting surface for the blade is more parallel to the ground on the subsoiler.

Could be wrong...just my thoughts.

 

[doall]

That blade is way too parallel. I also think you have sheared a bolt or the mount is wrong. Maybe subsoiler like someone else stated.

 

[J_J]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/95818-subsoile-versus-middlebuster-verus-plow.html

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks for the help. I will be going up tonight so I can take a close look. I will have to look for my reciept. If the blade was put on a subsoiler frame I want to try to exchange it for the right one.

 

[bp fick]

Hope you took your digital camera with you. Part of the diagnosis issue here is not quite being able to see it close up in your photo. We'd love to help, but unless we can get a better look at it, we're mostly shooting in the dark.

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks guys. I checked and the bolts were tight. I took it to TSC and it was mounted right (they said). I think it might have just been too short for my tractor. I swapped it for a subsoiler.

 

[PhoneFarmer]

I'll second or third that being a subsoiler shank with a middlebuster plow bolted to it. Also, if your TSC is anything like mine, I wouldn't put too much stock in what they say.