Top link adjustment on RFM

[kurtw]

I have a 72 inch RFM. What is the best adjusment for the top link on the 3 pt. hitch? Should it be tight or loose to allow some movement. I assume the mower should ride on its 4 wheels. So it would seem a little free play in the top link would be wanted.
Thanks again for your advice
Kurt

 

[FrankenmuthTom]

I'm no expert, but I did use a RFM for several years on our farm in Michigan. I used to hook the toplink up with a little slack in it, so when the ground rolled a little the front of the tractor dropping wouldn't cause the back of the mower to come off the ground. In some cases, like driving into a shallow ditch bank, it would come up anyway, but for the most part, you want to keep all four gauge wheels on the ground.

Hope this is a help!

Tractor Tom

 

[GaryM]

I have a Landpride 60" RFM. Their instructions are to adjust the toplink such that the pin in the toplink lines up with the pins in the draft arms. This puts the swinging portion of the link attached to the mower at about a 45 degree angle.

This allows the RFM to tilt back and forth as the combination gos up and down the dips.

 

[thingy]

Get rid of the solid top link and get you a length of some kinda heavy chain and a couple of chain connectors of some type,,,put it where your top link is,,,leave a little slack in it when setting at your mowing heigth and on level,,,experament with its length,,,,,you can still pivk it up a little and it lets rear float,,,,,,,you don't even need a top link or chain to just cut with,,,try it,,,only thing is you can't pick it up with three point,,,,thingy

 

[beenthere]

You will want to keep the RFM wheels on the ground, which likely can't be done with a top link that is tight and lifts it up.
I like the chain idea for the best 'float' control of the RFM.
Your decision, as what works best for you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JerryG]

I am more than likely the most out spoken advocate for a chain instead of a third arm while using a brush hog, but I don't think that I would use one on a finish mower. The reason is that given the geometry of a finish mower compared to a brush hog, I think that without the extended weight of the BH, a FM might try to flip up. It might be just as safe, but I would be leery of it.

 

[thingy]

Well,,,you may have a point,,,,,I never used one on a finishing mower either,,just hog,,,,,,,,would depend on terrian I guess,,,generally,you would think it would be used on more even ground than hog,,,,,,,but on other hand,,,those front wheels,,,should keep front from digging in,,so's maybe it would make it harder to flip up??????they do have front and rear wheels,,don't they??think they do anyways,,,,I do know as you do,,,,if he CAN use a chain,,,,it would basicly eliminate his problem,,,,so,,,,he'll just have to be the judge,,,,I'd at least try it and see what I thought if I was him,,,being carefull of course untill you figured it out,,,,,if he does,,,hope he lets us know what he thinks,,,,,,,,thingy

 

[khd]

My woods manual says the top link should be adjusted so when you lift the deck it is level/parallel to the ground. I have always done this and never had a problem. Now that I have a hyd top link the last thing I do before mowing after hook-up is lift the deck and adjust the link for level.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[RoyJackson]

Enough slack during mowing to allow the mower to follow the ground contours. Watch abrupt changes (such as the bottom of a slope leveling out) as the upper bracket can contact the PTO shaft. I damaged a PTO shaft that way.

When transporting using the 3PH to raise the mower, you'll want that top link nice and tight. If I'm just going a few yards (meters for you 90's kinda guys), I'll just lift the front end of the mower a bit (top link slack).