"Pull" bush hog, or lift it when travelling?

[beppington]

6 for "lift it"
3 for "pull it"

 

[Dead Horse]

6 for "lift it"
3 for "pull it"

Yeah, and they voting with YOUR money!

:laughing:

 

[MMagis]

I’ll admit, I’m surprised there are people suggesting to pull it. If it was made to be pulled, it would have wheels and bearings. It doesn’t, and it’s not designed to be pulled long distances at “high” speeds. However, your tractor WAS designed to lift it and carry it. I don’t have any idea what people think may brake, but that’s what the 3ph is for. As mentioned, if you start bouncing, slow down. Common sense.

 

[CharlieS]

Tow it, don't carry it, that whole implement ain't worth risking ANY damage to your tractor........ period.

But then if one doesnt want to risk ANY tractor damage, dont even mow with it. Hit a rock, or stump and you're risking damage. slip clutches dont always slip, and shear bolts dont always shear in time. :confused2: Thats also why tools should be matched to tractor horsepower. A 75 hp rated gearbox on a mower may not have the bolt shear when pulled behind a 25 hp tractor.

I've seen it twice through the years. a grade 3 shear bolt only cut half way.

 

[coldstream]

My opinion, Tow it. Yes the tractor is designed to handle lifting it. But towing it reduces the wear and tear on the tractor whether it's designed for it or not. I imagine the tail wheel and bearing will last many years, particularly at tractor speeds.

 

[beppington]

6 for "lift it"
4 for "pull it"

 

[Egon]

I seem to remember a thread about traveling across a field with a hog on the 3point and hitting a big bump. Broke major parts inside. I would rather wear down and replace a $40 wheel than something big.

And I broke a lift arm carrying my rototiller up when traveling. So I would pull it.:thumbsup:

 

[gilbertmsg]

I always move with my emplements off the ground. If the tractor was designed to lift it, there should be no problems traveling with it up. For those who have broke something, I would say you were doing something you should not have been doing to start with.

Eddie

 

[rekees4300]

Looks like a pretty beefy cutter to me. I don't think I would want all that weight bouncing around on the 3pt system for 4 miles. Me I would let the tail wheel carry some of the weight.

MarkV

I agree ... vote for pull it.

 

[mlauk]

If you think the tractor is straining a little with it lifted, I would pull it. The shredder is designed to be used with the back wheel on the ground, so it won't hurt it any more than if you are mowing.

 

[beppington]

7 for "lift it"
6 for "pull it"

(Edit, sorry 2 more sqeaked in while I was typing!)

 

[MarkV]

I voted pull it but understand those who say lift. My concerns are that, yes, the tractor is designed to lift it for transport but I am not sure that includes road speeds and that much weight hanging close to 6' behind. Even on smooth roads commercial backhoes get pretty bouncy because of the weight in the rear. I don't think the 3pt. hitch system is designed for those kind of shock loads. I can't think of any field operations that bounce that much weight on the 3pt. Now if you have all the time in the world and drive at mowing speeds the whole way then sure, lift it.

MarkV

 

[RoyJackson]

I always tow mine, but that's only a few hundred yards.
For 4 miles, I'd lift it in transport. I wouldn't lift it the full height of the 3PH though.
A lot of that is going to depend on the road surface and the (ballpark) ratio of the cutter's weight to the tractor's weight. You'll know if it's too much as soon as the cutter starts wagging the dog. If and when that happens, it's time to slow down or start towing.
This is probably obvious, but you'll want front ballast (loader or suitcase weights).

 

[TripleR]

Well, like I said, we routinely lift and transport a heavy 10' Woods 4.5 miles and have done so for over 12 years with no damage to mower or tractor. When we bought our new DS1260 last year, we were told it would be too heavy for our 3-point, so we got the pull type.

In the 50+ years I have been operating tractors, I have never seen damage from transporting the proper weight implement, but if it makes you feel better, do it.

 

[JDMAN4020]

Raise it up! The five minutes that it takes to cover the 4 miles will not wear the tractor, or lift. The 3pt hitch carries the load 100% of the time you have an implement. If the mower is too heavy for the tractor, you can damage it no matter how you use it. If the road is so rough that you are worried about hitting potholes and damaging things, you need to drive slower, or risk killing yourself!

 

[JoeinTX]

Just to settle it, if your tractor and shredder are a realistic match.......no worries. And, they are.

If you're wanting to road-transport then pick it up, travel a reasonable road speed, and get on with it. You won't be hurting anything. I promise you. Why wouldn't you?




I'm sorry, I suppose it's a worry for folks who've spent much less time around tractors or machinery in general.........but this is not a problem for you. Far from it. If you believe that it is then I wouldn't do any plowing, tilling or loader work with it. They will all deliver more stress and strain and wear on your machines as opposed to simply roading it with something on the 3pt.

Take it to the bank, end of thread. It's not that complicated, really......

 

[Nightrain1]

Since it appears neck and neck on the lift or pull question, why not leave it all in the barn and just hire out the work. No fear of worn out bearings, damaged tractor, or any other issues like tire wear, etc. Your tractor will last forever. Then again, you could pull it to the work destination and lift it back home. This virtually assures you of getting it right, half the time which is better then being wrong all the time, but not as good as being right all the time.
If it was me, I would lift it like everyone else does.

 

[RoyJackson]

Raise it up! The five minutes that it takes to cover the 4 miles will not wear the tractor, or lift.

Boy, your tractor is a heck of a lot faster then mine!!!

 

[Big Bri]

Lift it!

 

[some zilch]

lift it. i agree w/whoever said that the people voting to tow it are the ones who most likely have minimal experience w/anything other than their CUT and little bushhog. if that rear wheel was meant for "high-speed road travel", it would not be laminated, but more like a typical tire. rolling around a field at 2mph while mowing is one thing, but 15+mph on the road is another. 4 miles down the road is not going to wear out anything on the tractor. lift it up, as the entire system was designed to do