Rotary Cutter Purpose of the Tail wheel on a rotary cutter

[EddieWalker]

My tail wheel has two purposes. One is to support the rear of the mower, the other is to dig out trails in the grass so I can see where I've mowed months later. I guess there is a third use for it too. It's great at finding holes and branches in the ground too!!!!

When mowing, the mower is supported by the lift arms and the tail wheel. The top link should be loose. This way, the mower will follow the contour of the ground. If you are mowing perfectly flat land, then it doesn't really matter, but if you go over a hill or a low spot, the mower can follow the contour as far as the top link will allow. You want the top link loose enough for this, but still be able to lift the mower. You sort of have to play with it to get it where you want it. As for how level or at what angle you want the mower deck, that's also up to you, and what you prefer. I've tried it flat, angled up and angled down. I really don't notice much of a difference in any position to worry about it anymore.

Eddie

 

[suncoast]

Take the rear wheel off and you will have your answer. Agreed the top link should be loose, but to a certain extent, try too much and you will have 2 drive shafts.

 

[radman1]

I will add one more reason. The tail wheel assists in turning. It allows the tractor to turn tightly without raising the mower. I never could figure out why most skid steer mowers don't have a wheel out front. It would probably get damaged by running into something, but the wheel would greatly help in turning the mower.

 

[GaryCrowell]

It also takes a lot of the stress off of the deck of the mower. I once had an older 5' bush hog that I lost the tailwheel off of while transporting tractor and bush hog on a trailer. Me being me, I just ignored it and kept using it without the tail wheel. A couple of weeks later I noticed that welds were breaking where the deck bracing was welded to the deck and the two main braces running along the deck were cracking in two. While the three point hitch is certainly capable of supporting a bush hog without the tailwheel, the mower deck itself isn't going to last very long hanging out there by itself unsupported in the rear.

So, the purpose of a tail wheel to twofold. It's to set the deck angle for mowing, and to support the rear of the mower deck in order to keep it from flexing. As mentioned by others, the mower should be supported by the hitch arms in the front, the tailwheel in the rear (properly adjusted for height), and the top link should be adjusted so there's no tension on it when the mower's lowered for mowing.

 

[MarkV]

I found it interesting when talking to one of our members from Australia that most of the mowers sold there do not use a tail wheel and ride on skids that are adjustable for cutting height.

MarkV

 

[Gizmo2]

ROFL.

Did the same thing!

 

[greenmule]

The reason they don't have tail wheels in land down under is cause them roo's,hate them and chew them to pieces quick.

 

[Sprocket1]

I thought it was some kind of curb feeler. I use mine all the time to find woven wire fences and corner posts.

 

[brandon327]

Well i am with the majority here. When mowing the deck should be supported by the tail wheel and the lift arms.

My father in law thinks that when mowing the tail wheel should not be supporting the mower. The lift arms and the top link should be supporting it. The tail wheel should be just above the ground about a inch or two and it is just to keep the mower from digging in the ground.