my kk brushog is still new and trashed?

[JohnS]

Mods were provided by a TBNer (sorry don't remember who to give the credit to). Lowering the pins helps with the too long toplink, as well, especially if lowering the U bracket. I set-up and adjust the mower on pavement before heading to the field, and works well for me now.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

We all thank you for that, Steve. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Soundguy]

While it is true they are lightly constructed.. this just doesn't sound right.. I've mowed with mine two seasons now, mowing everything from high grass to 7' weeds to 2" sapplings, dirt clods left by gophers, knocked a neighbors fence post and broke it off at ground level with the back wheel when turning real close.. too close to the fence... Even had the mower bottom out slightly while unloading off my trailer one time onto a slight uphill grade..etc... no dents, no bends, no damage except sctraches.

Perhaps his is assembled wrong.. without those 2 long braces that you have to slightly bow to install.. the unit would be flimsier... As for bending the mounts for the lift pins.. I can only imaging backing into something hot and heavy.. or using the mower platform as a fork lift...

If he would post a pic, it would help us figure out the problems.

Soundguy

 

[JohnMiller3]

Notice the sides/top distorted/bowed/springed out from the constant torsion/twisting action...

One of KingKutter’s weakest link is their A-frame assembly… going through rough brush (constant pulling & twisting action) and especially backing up into brush… really takes it toll… On my “weaker” MF135 not so much a problem… but on the MF165 and the JD5205, I “pushed” and distorted the already weak KK A-frame beyond it’s capability…

 

[JohnMiller3]

another mfr. A-Frame for comparison...

My Brown MD cutter A-frame... maybe 3 times the steel... Solid as... "STEEL" !

(pictures don't do either of these A-Frames justice... here's a case you have to physically be there in person, to grab the steel and feel the mass and strength in your hands... here's where you start to see the $$$ difference in SD, MD, & HD rotary cutters...)

 

[BWS]

i think mine are missing the brakets behind the maain/front frame and thats why the pins/frame is bent back.will check tonight.bws

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for the pic.. it helps.

A question.. though I'm not at home for me to go look at mine.. on the bottom of the a-frame brackets, I notice your bracket bottoms are mounted on the inside of the mowers lip. .. ( i think mine are mounted on the outside.. while that 3/8 inch doesn't look like it would do much, it will affect allignment and strenght up at the top of that aframe. ).. I'll have to see if I still have my assembly instructions.. I don't trust the guys at the store to have assembled it correctly...) And I do notice the pronounced bowing where the top of the a-frame is sagging... One thing I couldn't tell though.. it is almost out of view at the top.. but it doesn't look like you have the 'U' piece mounted for the toplink to 'float' in. Are you mounting your topling pin right through the tops of the a frame uprights through the toplink? If so, that is where some of your torsion is comming from. That aframe top is meant to have both bolts installed, to make a rigid support, and the 'U' piece offers some play for the toplink.... both the lower bolt holding those two supports going back, and the top bolt going through the 'U'.. then your toplink goes through the far hole in the 'U'.

Without that setup, when uneven pressure is put on one side, the a frame doesn't stay straight.. they pivot on that one bottom bolt.. and then bow out, and then the link pins turn back.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Ok, upon checking my assembly instructions that came with my KK, I think I have found at least one of your problems... the bottom supports of the a-frame are sopposed to be bolted to the outside of the lip, not to the inside of the lip, that includes the two other smaller supports.

Bolting the supports on the inside is changing the angle of support for the a-frame.. instead of force being applied down, it has been deflected in. The area with the most stress is going to be the factory bend... as we can see on yours.. that is where it has started failing. That situation immediatly compromises the strength of the frame and leaves it open for the bow out like you see.

Basically this system is an arch... the bottom supports on the arch are too close. .. extra stress has been focused on the top right and top left sections.. they have failed and deflected out, this lets the top sink... in this setup, there is no longer support to keep the upright a frame arms from twisting out, as the unit is buckling. I would guess the shear weight of the cutter, pluss some quick fast and go mowing with a heavy tractor is what has caused most of the problems.

As for the issue with the top bolts on the a-frame and the 'U' piece. If it is missing, that just hastened the fatigue of the structure.. might have happened eventually anyway with the bottom supports too close.

The KK is deffinately not overconstructed.. they are designed to be just strong enough... defeating some of that precise structural design has obviously thrown it into the 'all bets are off' area.

If the dealer you bought this from assembled that unit as pictured.. you might have some recourse from the dealer or the manufacturer.. perhaps a new set of the two uprights, and the two small er supports, as they may be deformed as well. The 3-point lift pins are hardened and have probably survived.

Good luck. I know it isn't a good feeling to see a few undred bucks investment fail in a couple years..

Soundguy

 

[JohnMiller3]

Hi Chris,

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I've had that A-frame assembled a few different ways... by picture, by manual, by my method... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So it went through it's range of mountings... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I last pulled the A-frame assembly apart, and pounded it back straight between myself and a boiler maker friend... with the arms and physique of John Henry swinging a sledgehammer... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ...then I used it a bit more and last is as pictured...

I'll be the first to admit... I tortured the poor girl... she never failed me... even after my abuse... that's why I can swear on the durability of a standard duty KingKutter... it does hold up... if they would only change and strengthen the A-frame... even for a few more dollars...

When I got to constant cutting of trees over 3 & 4"... I had to show some mercy and retire the ole gal... and got the Brown to take over... (now I'm trying to tear up the Brown... but she refuses to yield.../forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) (She's meaner than me!)

(check the KK manual, website, pictures, advertising, etc... and I think you'll find multiple ways "they" (KK) assembled that A-frame... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

 

[s1120]

<font color="red"> if they would only change and strengthen the A-frame... even for a few more dollars...
</font>

Hi John. As you know I have been looking at cutters, and I see where the a frame on the KK is a little flimsy compaired to others. Now, is there suposed to be some give in this A frame assambly? I can see some places where it can be stiffened up a bit with very little cost. My fear is that stiffing up the A frame, will put the rest of the cutter in danger of damage from all the stresses. I do have to say that your other cutter looks like a tank. Looks like she would take some real abuse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I realy like how the bolth ends of the lower pins are suported. Your not going to bend them.