highly suggested, a "slip clutch" that fits between rear pto shaft on tractor, and the gear box on the bush hog / rotatory cutter. new slip clutchs, need a "burn in" to deal with varnish on the clutchs that comes form the manufactures.
or...
"shear bolts" can work as well, but a "shear bolt is a shear bolt" specific grade of metal a specific diameter, etc... a shear bolt is just not some ordinary bolt you goto local hardware store and buy, know what type of bolt you need. so you do not damage your tractor, when the cutter gets hung up on a stump, fallen limb, dragged in the dirt, etc... have some extra shear bolts on hand.
some rotatory cutters have a slip clutch already attached directly to gear box of the rotatory cutter it self. were the pto shaft connects. some units do not. learn how to adjust the slip clutch, or to use proper shear bolt in the PTO shaft.
make sure you cut the PTO shaft down to correct length. for your tractor and given rotatory cutter you will be using as well.
Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer has some videos for dealing with PTO shaft length and cutting it down as well as dealing slip clutchs last time looked was over a year ago, but still should be on there website.
be mindful of rotatory cutters, they can send some very high speed projectiles out from it.
double check that you have all your sway bars and/or chains for 3pt hitch in place. for the 3pt hitch itself. rotatory cutters are heavy little critters that do like to swing back and forth like a dog's tail. and could put undo stress on 3pt hitch, if you do not have correct bars / chains in place. 3pt hitches are good at pulling, straight behind them. but if you got into some tight turns with rotatory cutter down and cutting, and it snags something... *arghs*
if you will be going through ditches and like. make sure you have a good top link adjusting bar. to let you bring the cutter up higher if you end up getting it stuck on the dirt *arghs* been there done that.
as others have said a FEL (front end loader) on tractor or front weights will most likely be needed/wanted, again cutters are rather heavy little critters, but they also stick out pretty far out behind the tractor. and if your not carefull the front wheels of tractor will and do come off the ground without proper weight in front of the tractor. "think kids playground tetter totter"
if you have "split rear brakes" a pedal for left rear tire and right rear tire brake, unlock the pedals, they can be a life saver when it comes to steering, when you can't count on the fronts grabbing much traction to turn you.
double checking top link and left/right links of 3pt hitch to properly level bush hog. to get nice cutting. along with tail wheel/s
you can adjust some 3pt hitchs so you set a 4foot bush hog/rotatory cutter off to one side to mow over one set of tire tracks. vs going up to a 5 foot deck to cover both tires.
