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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

3 point hitch top link tightness ?

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chuck grandgent

07-11-2004 11:16:21




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The top link of my 3 point hitch is adjustable, I can rotate it and it screws either tighter (raises) or loosens (lowers). I'm using it with my bush hog. My question is, how tight should that be ? Should I tighten it all the way ? Or what ? As always thanks.




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Indydirtfarmer

07-12-2004 04:09:51




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
Most of your "better" mowers have some movement built into the top link mounting point. There needs to be some give there. A few people have made mention of the fact that a mower can rotate up and over, if the front edge of the mower deck hits something solid. A chain will allow that to happen. The chain isn't the safest way to do the job. It does however, supply that needed give. I do a lot of bush hogging. I have several real estate agents I mow for. My Woods or my Bush Hog mowers both have top link mounts that flex, allowing as much as a foot of give. They won't allow the mower to rotate more than about 30 degrees upward. Safe, and effective. Be careful. John

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chuck grandgent

07-12-2004 04:41:07




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 Re: Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 07-12-2004 04:09:51  
This is all excellent feedback. I don't have the Woods manual in front of me just now, but in regard to the top hitch it says something like "adjust it so that it swings freely....". Doesn't say WHAT the adjustment is supposed to accomplish, doesn't give the feedback about the many issues that you guys have provided, etc.. I'm sure for someone who's buying their SECOND bush hog (or whatever), the Woods manual (or the Bush Hog manual, I've checked that too because they're of course very similar) is fine, but for a first-time user, the manual leaves many questions. Thanks to you all ! - Chuck

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John S-B

07-11-2004 21:16:51




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
I don't even use a chain on my bushog, I just use the lift arms to set the height. I don't have to transport it at all since I'm mostly mowing my on property or it's far away enough to trailer it.



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twighoot

07-11-2004 20:40:24




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
I mow alot in various types of cover and ground - it has been my experience that I will never use a solid top link again - unless the mower has some type of give built into the top link connector. When you are mowing on unlevel surfaces something has to give as you cross over highs and low areas. Depending on how severe they are it can really put a strain on your equipment. I highly recommend the use as mentioned before of a length of heavy chain cut to fit at your nornal operating height so that you can still pick the unit up when required to clear objects. Especially when you are mowing unknown areas !!!!

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J.C. IN AZ.

07-11-2004 20:29:16




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
I WOULD NOT USE A SOLID TOP LINK ON A THREEPOINT HITCH MOUNTED ROTARY CUTTER, INSTEAD I WOULD SUBSTITUTE A LENGTH OF 1/2" CHAIN ADJUSTED TO THE PROPER LENGTH TO ALLOW THE CUTTER TO RIDE LEVEL IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE CUTTER CAN BE FLEXIBLE TO FOLLOW THE TERRAIN USING THIS METHOD OF TOP LINK STRATEGY.



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TomH

07-12-2004 16:25:09




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 Re: Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to J.C. IN AZ., 07-11-2004 20:29:16  
Don't use a chain on a rotary mower. As Russ said, the whole mower can kick up and come over on top of you.



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Hal

07-11-2004 18:54:11




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
Adjust the top link on level ground so that the back of the rotary cutter is 1-2" higher than the front. This will allow the cut grass to exit and you won't have the back of the cutter scraping on the ground and a lot of weight on the wheel. Then adjust the tail wheel, if you have one, so that it rests very lightly or occasionally touches the ground. If you have position control, set the 3-pt to the desired height but don't have the front of the cutter rubbing on the ground.

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Bus Driver

07-11-2004 17:50:08




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
Adjust it so that the rear wheel on the mower contacts the ground most of the time. Not to force the wheel to the ground, but to permit it to touch the ground. One of my rough-cut rotary mowers, the 6' one, has slots where the top link attaches so that the rear of the mower can float up as needed. Some mowers come equipped with a chain at the top to accomplish the same thing.



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Russ Smart

07-11-2004 16:04:59




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
Some cutters come with a chain bu I would never go that route as I had mine flip up once, I was using it on a JD M with no top link conected because the tractor is too light to lift it very well, the botom front hit a stump and the back end came up quite a ways. Since then I desighned a link ( looks like a big ofset chain link) with a stop so it can't go below center, so the back of the cutter can float on it's own wheel. I do a lot of cutting in some pretty rough areas.

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Ron

07-11-2004 12:02:08




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
Check the manual that came with your hog. Mine says to have the deck down about an 1" in front.



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marlowe

07-11-2004 11:58:31




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
a lot will depend on the make of tractor and if you have position or draft control and what kind of bush hog you have



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rustyfarmall

07-11-2004 11:26:04




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 Re: 3 point hitch top link tightness ? in reply to chuck grandgent, 07-11-2004 11:16:21  
You need to adjust the top link so that the bush hog is level when it is down on the ground.



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