Rotary Cutter Wheel broke off at the Forks,

[fma1015]

Rookie move back up with brush hog down. Can I still use a 5' rotary cutter with no wheel on the back without harm to the tractor L3400? Thank you.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Should be fine, just might scalp, might mow better with the front down and the rear up, would clean out better too.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Rookie move back up with brush hog down. Can I still use a 5' rotary cutter with no wheel on the back without harm to the tractor L3400? Thank you.

Easiest solution is to find a neighbor with a welder. I watched a neighbor mow his field and most of the time the wheel was off of the ground, it only hit on rough ground to prevent scalping. I set mine up to use the float position which wouldn't work without a back wheel.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Rookie move back up with brush hog down. Can I still use a 5' rotary cutter with no wheel on the back without harm to the tractor L3400? Thank you.

IF, that's a rookie move, then I've been a rookie ever since I bought my first rotary cutter!

More like you bought a really cheap built cutter that's on the weak side, you should be able to run your tractor/rotary cutter in reverse without it breaking the tail wheel off!!

Have it welded back on and reinforced in that area...

SR

 

[CoyPatton]

Should be fine, just might scalp, might mow better with the front down and the rear up, would clean out better too.

Most rough cut mowers (maybe all, all that I know about are) are design to set lower in the front than the rear. It aids with the rear discharge of debris. The tail wheel properly setup ensures this angle is maintained.

 

[skipperbrown]

Yes, but I don't think you will be happy with the cut. Take your parts to a welding shop and get it welded properly. I'm guessing you had more than 1 weld break to lose the wheel and that shouldn't happen. Finally, you should be able to back up with your cutter without issues unless you hit something very solid like a boulder or a tree.

 

[Thomas]

Done that before,just keep your hand close to 3pt hitch lever you"ll be fine until repairs made.

 

[CoyPatton]

IF, that's a rookie move, then I've been a rookie ever since I bought my first rotary cutter!

More like you bought a really cheap built cutter that's on the weak side, you should be able to run your tractor/rotary cutter in reverse without it breaking the tail wheel off!!

Have it welded back on and reinforced in that area...

SR

It could be possible that someone has backed the tail wheel into something solid and cracked the weld(s) or the weld at construction failed to achieved good penetration.
Having said all of that, for the long term usage of the cutter, I suggest you have the mount for the tail wheel put back on. And a couple of gussets added for strength would mot hurt either.
If you have a welder, go for it! Follow your welders recommendations for metal thickness. If you do not weld, find a friend that does, or load up the cutter and take it to a welding shop. Call first, it should not take long to repair. If you go by to talk to the friend or the shop, take some (lots) pictures along of the broken off piece as well as the frame showing the breaks.
Short term you should be able to mow with it, just be sure to keep back higher than front with top link adjustment.
One last comment, the only time you will stop breaking a manmade item is when you stop doing!

 

[fma1015]

I dropped the frame and the forks off at the neighborhood welder who will straighten the forks and weld the gooseneck to the frame with reinforcement for $125. New parts would start at that for the frame only and the cutter is 12 years old about six acres 1-3 times a year, so I might get 12 more years, or 12 seconds if I continue to mash and thrash in reverse. Thank you.

 

[CoyPatton]

I dropped the frame and the forks off at the neighborhood welder who will straighten the forks and weld the gooseneck to the frame with reinforcement for $125. New parts would start at that for the frame only and the cutter is 12 years old about six acres 1-3 times a year, so I might get 12 more years, or 12 seconds if I continue to mash and thrash in reverse. Thank you.

Most welders will reinforce something that has proven weak well beyond what a massed produced item will ever achieve without modification. I suspect what you get back will be far stronger than it has been in years if not even when new off the dealers lot. Cutting in reverse should be fine. Most of us do very little of that larger because the rough cutters are designed to have material come in the front and be discharged out the rear. That said, we have all backed under low branches or other overhanging objects cutting in reverse and we will continue to do so!
Oh mist of us have broken something somewhere along as well!