Mowing trouble keeping brush hog at right height

[rdh333]

I have a 1951 Harry Ferguson TO-20 tractor, with a 5' rotary cutter (brush hog), and other attachements. I have had a very hard time getting my 3 point hitch lift to get to, and stay at, the right height. It is either too low, or it goes all the way to the top, and then, all the way to the bottom. The thumb screw to adjust minimum height doesn't help. I can't just raise the height slightly, or lower it slightly.

I've been told this is a common problem with this design. I've heard you can hook chains to the front of the brush hog to keep it from getting too low, but I've had trouble getting that to work consistently. I've also heard of an after market attachment to help this tractor better manage the height adjustment.

I recently had repairs and maintenance done by a dealer, but they said this wasn't an easy fix, and was always a problem on this model of tractor.

Any advice?

 

[aczlan]

Does the 3 point drift down if you leave it up with the tractor off?
If so, the problem is either that the lift cylinder inside the rear end leaking past its seals, or the control valve is leaking (letting the implement drop down). The only way to fix either problem is to pull the large cover that the seat sits on and replace the seals. Its not a horrible job, just a lot of heavy work.
I would guesstimate 1-2 days if you are somewhat handy.

Aaron Z

 

[Gunny]

You need a set of Check chains - here's one link, I'm sure you can find them at other places

www.1tractorparts.com/ford tractor parts

Much cheaper than fixing the tractor and easy to use. After you get your chains lengths set, the implement can't drop any lower

 

[MESSMAKER]

You need a set of Check chains - here's one link, I'm sure you can find them at other places

www.1tractorparts.com/ford tractor parts

Much cheaper than fixing the tractor and easy to use. After you get your chains lengths set, the implement can't drop any lower

+1 right answer

 

[jeff9366]

I had to improvise installation of check/limit chains from my small Kubota B3300SU to my Rotary Cutter. As these chains were originally designed for the Ford 8N, 9N, etc. I think you will find they go right on your Fergie. Check/limit chains work fab supporting the front of your Bush Hog at the height you want. Zerco has been supplying these check chains since about 1960.

LINK WITH PHOTOS: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ta-b3300su-zerco-check-chains.html?highlight=

 

[rdh333]

I've tried this, but the chain always ends up coming loose (there is no good place to hook them to), or breaking. Plus, this is hard to adjust. I'm not using store bought check chains, though, instead just using chain and bolts.
Even if this works, it doesn't address the other issue: when I try to raise the bush hog, it continues going up until it is all the way up. I'd like to be able to raise the height slightly to go over obstacles, then drop it back down. The lift system on the 3 pt hitch has never worked correctly, and it makes everything much more difficult to do.

 

[Gunny]

Sounds like you're trying to improvise a chain support system. It can be done, but it's much cheaper and simpler to just buy a check chain set.

If the check chain is coming loose, then you're not using a right check chain setup or you're doing it wrong.

You have brackets that sit on the top link pin on the tractor side, with hole/slots to hold the chain, your other two brackets slide on the lower hitch pins of your bush hog. You adjust by raising the bush hog and sliding the chains through the holes and drop them down into the slots until the bush hog goes down to the height you want and is hanging on the chains.

With the slots being up by the top link, you can raise the bush hog and when you want to lower it, just shove the lever all the way down, it won't go down further than the chains will let it and they don't come loose.

My hydraulic system works perfectly well, but I still use check chains just so I don't have to worry if I'm lowering it back down the right height. I pick it up, make a turn, drop the lever all the way down and make another pass.

 

[LD1]

Sounds like draft control isnt set right. Those are indeed a PITA and hard to get right. Fords draft over-ride was a vast improvement on that era tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

I've tried this, but the chain always ends up coming loose (there is no good place to hook them to), or breaking. Plus, this is hard to adjust. I'm not using store bought check chains, though, instead just using chain and bolts.


Even if this works, it doesn't address the other issue: when I try to raise the bush hog, it continues going up until it is all the way up. I'd like to be able to raise the height slightly to go over obstacles, then drop it back down.

You need to splurge $30 for the check chain set. Look at the diagrams in the LINK in Post #5, it will show you the connection points. Zerco and Zerco type setups have been tried and proved for 55 years.

You are correct that check chains will do nothing for your Three Point Hitch lifting all the way up.

I suggest you begin another thread focused on this problem exclusively, in the Ford/New Holland forum. Fergie people read the Ford forum too.

 

[Leejohn]

If have to repair lift here is a good utube. I like it because she doesn't have blue rubber gloves on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcWtNVOxzDg

 

[Kenneth S]

I have a 1951 Harry Ferguson TO-20 tractor, with a 5' rotary cutter (brush hog), and other attachements. I have had a very hard time getting my 3 point hitch lift to get to, and stay at, the right height. It is either too low, or it goes all the way to the top, and then, all the way to the bottom. The thumb screw to adjust minimum height doesn't help. I can't just raise the height slightly, or lower it slightly.

I've been told this is a common problem with this design. I've heard you can hook chains to the front of the brush hog to keep it from getting too low, but I've had trouble getting that to work consistently. I've also heard of an after market attachment to help this tractor better manage the height adjustment.

I recently had repairs and maintenance done by a dealer, but they said this wasn't an easy fix, and was always a problem on this model of tractor.

Any advice?

You do have 90wt mineral oil, and not regular hydraulic oil it?

 

[MitchellB]

I welded 2 rings for chain attachment to my rotary cutter near the lift arm pins and hooked the opposite ends to my long top link pin on my 8N tractor with D rings.


these pictures below I got from the internet shows the proper way to do it, but I did not want to buy the chain kit with the pin/chain plates.


A setup like this should work for your Ferguson.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I've had 2 TO30's and both the 3pts intermittently would go up or down without warning. Even with a 1200lb backhoe on the back. i never used the 3pt except to hang the bh on.

I never found a solution and I never wanted to rip apart the rear end.

My son made a metal frame to hold one down and it crushed that when it went up.

Finally I made a heavy duty frame work to support the hoe and disconnected the 3pt list arms from the hydraulic lifter.

It's a real common problem.

 

[MESSMAKER]

4 quick links and 2 sections of 1/4" chain. Safety wire the links and you should be good to go. Probably less than $20.

 

[jeff9366]

4 quick links and 2 sections of 1/4" chain. Safety wire the links and you should be good to go. Probably less than $20.

DO NOT USE QUICK LINKS.

I have used Quick Links. Bouncing of the tractor and Hog soon separates Quick Link components into individual pieces.

Use much stronger Clevis Links only.

See LINK in Post #5.

 

[fishheadbob]

The dealer was right. This is a problem with that and similar tractors. Improvements have happened over the last 64 years.

 

[LD1]

I've had 2 TO30's and both the 3pts intermittently would go up or down without warning. Even with a 1200lb backhoe on the back. i never used the 3pt except to hang the bh on.

I never found a solution and I never wanted to rip apart the rear end.

My son made a metal frame to hold one down and it crushed that when it went up.

Finally I made a heavy duty frame work to support the hoe and disconnected the 3pt list arms from the hydraulic lifter.

It's a real common problem.

The dealer was right. This is a problem with that and similar tractors. Improvements have happened over the last 64 years.

Everyone who is ignoring this is clearly not familiar with old draft control 3PH's without draft override.

HArd to get the spring set right, and even then still isnt as good as position control. But proper adjustment should make it a bit better than the OP describes

 

[Jerry/MT]

I have a 1951 Harry Ferguson TO-20 tractor, with a 5' rotary cutter (brush hog), and other attachements. I have had a very hard time getting my 3 point hitch lift to get to, and stay at, the right height. It is either too low, or it goes all the way to the top, and then, all the way to the bottom. The thumb screw to adjust minimum height doesn't help. I can't just raise the height slightly, or lower it slightly.

I've been told this is a common problem with this design. I've heard you can hook chains to the front of the brush hog to keep it from getting too low, but I've had trouble getting that to work consistently. I've also heard of an after market attachment to help this tractor better manage the height adjustment.

I recently had repairs and maintenance done by a dealer, but they said this wasn't an easy fix, and was always a problem on this model of tractor.

Any advice?

The three point hitch on these older Fergusons was designed for ground engaging implements and does not have position control. You can buy(Zane Thang and the Fergie Positioner) or make ( Ferguson Enthusiasts of North America, FENA website) a position control device that will allow for position control on the TO-20/-30and the Ford 2N/9N. Or you can use check chains as the other poster advised.

 

[rdh333]

How do I go about buying a Zane Thang? I've googled this, but only found more forum posts. What is the website or phone number?

 

[bcp]

Zane Thang:

The Zane Thang

Bruce