U joint sleeves as top link

RalphVa · Nov 23, 2004

I was in the Orsheln store in Ada this last week and saw some small U joints and sleeves. It occured to me that these might be good for the top link to let the bush hog flex up and down. Could put the pin through the U joint part on both ends, possibly with a bushing. One would just cut them to length by positioning the hog on a down slope at the point where the drive shaft is about to touch the body of the hog. Then cut the U joint sleeve to be used at top link about a couple inches longer. Could use a chain to keep it from dropping past that point. The U join sleeve as top joint would keep the hog from ever being able to jump up too high if it struck something.

Anyone done this?

How many use Orsheln stuff?

Another thought I had on a top link: has anyone ever used a shock absorber? It would allow the hog to flex up and down but has some limits to its movement.

Ralph

slowrev · Nov 23, 2004

I use a rigid top link and a chain from the top of the hog hitch down to the tailwheel stub. Allows it to flex up all it wants and some downward flex. And the rigid top link prevents the remote possibility of the hog jumping up and getting me in the seat.

Ben

RalphVa · Nov 23, 2004

The rigid top link and chain back to the tail wheel is the way the KK finish mower on the 3pt is set up for subcompact tractors.

Ralph

SteveM · Nov 24, 2004

This issue of a brush mower jumping up to the seat comes up a lot, but in my humble understanding (at least on my tractors) the PTO shaft will not allow the mower to come up more than 45 degrees or so...do you folks have shorter shafts? I have always used a chain for a toplink, and never understood how the hog could jump so high....

JerryG · Nov 24, 2004

There is always a lot of talk about BHs flipping up, but no one has ever had it happen. Nor, have they ever know anyone that was injured by one doing so. I also have used a chain inplace of the top-link for a long time.

SPIKER · Nov 24, 2004

the chain is what I see would be easiest way I also hear about flipping up of hogs, but have neaver see it... If someone is that concerned then run the chain through a lenfht of pipe which limits the movement UP some. run a small bolt through the chain link and the pipe top end so it stays close to the piviot point of the top link... this stopps the pipe from swinging and sliding around.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Soundguy · Nov 24, 2004

Ok.. I got a close.. but no-go case for you.

My stepfathers JD2240 ( 50ish hp jd from 1979 - no rops ) Had a 6' rotary mower on it with chain for a toplink.. he hit a stump.. the mower did start to come up in the back, but the pto shaft did limit the travel. Final result was that it smoked the mower, as the front lip crinkled up, and the blades caught it.. also pto shaft pushed into the tractor. Ate the pto bearing carrier, 500$ worth of independent pto clutch discs, a couple seals, and a couple snap rings up near the couple union of the pto shaft at the tranny.

Didn't come up more than a couple feet from what I was told... however it smoked the mower and did about 900$ total damage to the tractor as we had to split it to replace the clutch pack..

Many of the rotart mowers have a swivel on the toplink allowing for 3-4" of play. Both my Howse and KK have it..

Soundguy