Mod to the brush hog

[woodlandfarms]

On my property the blackberries are nearly 10 ft high. Sometimes the only way to cut them is to turn off the Draft Control and raise the mower up high and set it down. But, this exposes me to a lot of danger. The problem is that the PT's Brush Hog tends to bend forward on its attachment. Even with the tilt all the way back it bend forward. I was thinking about welding a removeable chain that when I lift the mower and tilt back it would raise the front of the mower, keeping debris and spinning blades facing more forward.

On the surface it seems simple enough, but my head is saying check with the experience to see why this may be a bad idea. Maybe when you use it normally, wit the tilt down a bit so the chain is not tight, it would create a different stress point?

Any thoughts welcome...

 

[cqaigy2]

On my property the blackberries are nearly 10 ft high. Sometimes the only way to cut them is to turn off the Draft Control and raise the mower up high and set it down. But, this exposes me to a lot of danger. The problem is that the PT's Brush Hog tends to bend forward on its attachment. Even with the tilt all the way back it bend forward. I was thinking about welding a removeable chain that when I lift the mower and tilt back it would raise the front of the mower, keeping debris and spinning blades facing more forward.

On the surface it seems simple enough, but my head is saying check with the experience to see why this may be a bad idea. Maybe when you use it normally, wit the tilt down a bit so the chain is not tight, it would create a different stress point?

Any thoughts welcome...

I have the same problem with the large blackberries, but the brush cutter on my 422 must have a different pivot point or tilt throw. I will typically pick up and tilt so that the back wheels of the deck just touch and the front wheels are approx foot off the ground then drive into the mass a few feet, then drop the deck down and backup. With the deck tilted away from me it's safer for me but much more dangerous for anybody or anything else.

I gotta say the the brush cutter is one of the scariest implements because of it's ability to throw things and the business end doesn't differentiate between things you want chopped and those that you don't. So i try to be very careful when i pick up deck because i have to admit ive been unpleasantly surprised by what ive come close to mowing.

I found a broken off mud flap from a semi on the side of the road and am thinking of cutting it into strips to attach to the back of the deck, like i've seen on some of the big flail mowers, to slow down projectiles.

I took the time to look at the picture of the 90" rough cut mower, it does look like it attaches differently then my rough cut. I can see why your worried about having that monster off of the ground with the blade tilted toward you.

 

[MossRoad]

Hmmm. The PT425 brush hog seems to handle anything up to an inch and a half without the unit wanting to tip forward, as you mention. I, too, will angle it up in front on occassion to get the brush to bend forward a bit, but I always leave the rears on the ground. I have tossed the blade several times and believe me, you want no part of that. Keep that deck on the ground to act as a shield.

 

[Highridge]

I'm pretty sure there was a thread started by RegL in which he put two bolts in to stop the pivot backwards. I ended up doing it too and it works great!(I'll look for some pics) I also recommend putting mud-flaps on the back edge to help keep the operator and the front of the PT clean.

 

[AltavistaLawn]

I'm pretty sure there was a thread started by RegL in which he put two bolts in to stop the pivot backwards. I ended up doing it too and it works great!(I'll look for some pics) I also recommend putting mud-flaps on the back edge to help keep the operator and the front of the PT clean.

I dod something similar, but also used 2" angle to "sandwich" the pivot so it can't go but soo far; mine bent under once and broke the bolt. Its at a job site now, but I'll try to rember to bring th camera Monday.

 

[RegL]

I'm pretty sure there was a thread started by RegL in which he put two bolts in to stop the pivot backwards. I ended up doing it too and it works great!(I'll look for some pics) I also recommend putting mud-flaps on the back edge to help keep the operator and the front of the PT clean.

Better yet, I replaced those bolts with a length of steel rod and a couple cotter pins. Now I don't need tools to lock the deck. In this pic, the deck is in the normal pivot mode, but if you get the holes lined up and run the rod through them, you can almost curl the deck back to vertical.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Better yet, I replaced those bolts with a length of steel rod and a couple cotter pins. Now I don't need tools to lock the deck. In this pic, the deck is in the normal pivot mode, but if you get the holes lined up and run the rod through them, you can almost curl the deck back to vertical.

Oooohhhhhhhhh That is BRILLIANT! Gonna now have to rethink every thing...

Carl

 

[SpringHollow]

Looks like one could use 2 quick hitch pins or the pins for top links, etc.

Ken

 

[AltavistaLawn]

That is a good idea.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Looks like one could use 2 quick hitch pins or the pins for top links, etc.

Ken

Been thinking about this. I guess you would put the pin through side on the outside. I would hate to see the retaining pin all smashed up if left on the inside when the mower is in the "free" position...

Carl