Mowing rear mower questions

[Anonymous Poster]

I recently purchased a b7200 hsd 4wd with a FEL. It came with a JD 403 rotary cutter. My question is, during the few times I used the mower before winter set in, the mower deck would dig into the ground at times and then other times would be too high. Is this normal? The ground is slightly uneven with a few mounds and slight depressions. The top link on the 3 pt hitch is as short as I can make it, but it still doesn't pull up the back of the mower deck. Also does it hurt to mow with the FEL on the tractor or should it be taken off?

 

[Bird]

Van, what part of the mower deck is digging in; the front I would guess. If so, lengthen the top link and raise the 3-point a little to stop that. And no, it doesn't hurt a thing to mow with the FEL on the tractor. I take mine off only because I get a smoother ride and can get the front end of the tractor into tighter corners without raising the bucket above fences (as I had to do when I had a B7100 without the quick attach loader).

Bird

 

[Thomas]

van,
Bird right about adjusting the top link,also you might want to rejust your deck wheels if need be.

I leave my FEL on my B7100 for ballast for it comes in handy on side hills,and like Bird mention if you have a tight corners to mowe you may want to remove the FEL.


Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[ddl]

What your mower needs is anti-scapling roller mounted in the front. If you look at your mower, I bet you will find the location already made to mount the wheel or roller. If I did not have this you can adjust the links all day and you would still dig into the ground as you mow your hills and dells. The roller usaully cost about $50.00 and can be brought at different farm stores.
Dan L

 

[Bird]

Dan, I think I know what the JD 403 rotary cutter is (not positive), but isn't it a "rotary cutter" or brush hog instead of a finish mower. I've seen lots of finish mowers with the roller on the front, but I've never seen that on a rotary cutter. Does such exist?

Bird

 

[JimBinMI]

Bird,

Yes, he said it was a rotary cutter and I agree, I have only seen front anti-scalping rollers on finish mowers.

Is it posible that he's have lower arm leak down and that's what's causing the front of the rotary to "dig in"?

He might have some luck if he lowers the rear height allowing the deck to sit lower in the rear and allowing the front to sit higher because of the angles? My TC18 has two places for the top link to attach to the tractor, he might try the other spot if he has one.

I use a Woods 4' rotary cutter on my tractor with no problem.

Good Luck, JimBinMI

 

[gerard]

The only problem with doing what you suggested Jim is if he's cutting really heavy stuff and DOESN'T want to mulch it. Having the front lower than the rear expels the cuttings quicker. Having the front higher keeps the cuttings under the deck longer so you have to cut them more times, in effect mulching them more. Thats fine if thats your intent but if you're cutting 3 ft grass and already maxing out your capacity that really doesn't work well. If his 3 pt is leaking down he should either get check chains or he could rig something up himself.

 

[Von]

I just saw the rollers at Central Tractor this morning for $31.00 made by Kingkutter. I have been looking for them for two years with no luck. I'll have to pick one you this spring and weld a bracket to the front of my finish mower.

Von

 

[ddl]

forgive me for I have missread. I just started wearing bifocals and it is a real treat to try and read and focus at the same time. You are right, he did say that. The real challenage is to hit the right keys wearing these glasses. It is really different for I used to read line by line, now I am back to reading word by word if I get it in focus

Dan L

 

[Bird]

How well I understand, Dan. Just got bifocals myself this past summer; don't wear them all the time anyway, but have another pair of glasses I put on when I sit down at the computer so I don't have to tilt my head back so far to read the screen.

Bird

 

[ddl]

Bird

What I did was put a book under the rear of the monitor so the screen was tilted so I could see the screen in focus. Wife could not believe that I tilted the screen, she thinks it will tip over, guess I need a tip meter after all!!

Dan l

 

[markcg2000]

2 points.

On topic, make these adjustments on a smooth, level surface, like your driveway. First, loosen the deck's back wheel, probably have to simply remove the bolt. Second, set the 3PH control down so the front of the cutter is 2" above the height you want your grass to be cut. Third, set the upper control link so the deck is level. Fourth, set the back wheel so it is just supporting the back. Fifth/sixth, lower the 3PH and adjust the top-link so that the front of the mower is at the height you want your grass cut.

That process should leave you with the 3PH still supporting the mower in front, the rear wheel supporting the back an inch or two higher, and your ground un-scalped /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. The important thing to remember with the cutter is that you never use float... that'll just let the front dig into the ground with a cutter, unlike with a finish mower. With a finish mower the 3PH is in float and the front and rear rollers/wheels keep the deck set properly.

Off topic, my optometrist told me that in NY they are allowed to produce a second pair of glasses w/o a prescription that is the average of the bifocal's prescription. She said that is what they do for a lot of people who need "computer" glasses. It took me a month or so, but I finally got the hang of my bifocals, so I never went that route /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

<font color=green>mark</font color=green>

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks all for the good advice.

Markcg2000,
On your fifth/sixth step, are you saying to lower the 3PH all the way as low as it gets and it stays that way when you mow? By floating, you mean the 3PH is raised to some cutting height? I was trying to control cutting hieght by raising and lowering the 3PH. But I think it would slowly sink down then the front would dig in. I was constantly trying to adjust the lever.

 

[bpence]

Several others here have hit the nail on the head. The trick to adjusting the rotary cutter is in the top link. I use a 4 ft. bush hog on a B7100 and basically the top link has to "push" the front of the cutter up. You can still adjust the cutter to have the front lower than the rear of the deck by using the top link and then adjusting the rear wheel to gain proper height for the back of the deck. Takes a few minutes on a level surface, but once adjusted you shouldn't have to mess with the rear wheel again. I wrote the top link length on the bush hog 3-pt frame so I can easily adjust the link each time I hook up (use a permanant marker). Just back in, hook on, measure the top link and go. Once adjusted, you can just lower the rotary cutter and not have to try and adjust the upward/downward positioning with the hydraulics.

Bob Pence