rear wheel on bush hog

[oldforestor]

If you have a cutter like mine, better run it wheel up. My 20 hour old Midwest 72" cutter wheel locked up and spun the bolt. Well, spun the bolt till it burned through an inch of steel and came out the back, then locked up half out of the frame and bent it all up.
Loaded it up to take it to the dealer to discuss bearing qualities and had a flat on the trailer-good grief!!!

 

[Fireman_dcb]

BillyP: Q.) How old is the cutter and does the yoke have a lot of slack in it? A.) Its 3 years old. Q.) Does the yoke have replaceable bushings or would you have to replace the whole yoke? If you mean the yolk that runs from the 3ph to the deck then back to the rear wheel - yes, it would have to be replaced.
Beenthere: Nothing appears to be bent - I'll have to make a visit to the dealer to see what a new one looks like - but I would think that any bend would visible - dimpling in the bracing or some sign that it was bent.
Glenn9643: I don't see any where and tear on the top of the shaft...I'll pull it out to see if there's some hidden wear and tear in the shaft.
Thanks - Doug

 

[BillyP]

The yoke or what I'm calling the yoke is what the tail wheel itself attaches to. The shaft that goes from the top of the yoke through a hollow tube is where your problem is. If this shaft has a lot of slack, it could cause binding and wouldn't let your tail wheel swivel.

 

[normde2001]

Bird, you said it right. I'll bet all rotary cutter instructions say to adjust the cutting height with the rear wheel, (wheel supports the rear end, 3ph supports the front), set the level with the 3ph, either 1" lower in front for faster cut or 1" higher in front for better mulching, or level as you prefer, then adjust toplink for equal slack in the swivel to follow the terrain, assuming it has a swivel.