Brush Hog Question

[SJay]

I have seen some brush hogs without this part and others with it. What is the purpose of it and should I use it?
Thanks

 

[darmstrong2319]

That part allows the hog to follow the ground contour, go to everything attachments web site they have video that explains it very well. Check out their brush hog videos

 

[SJay]

That's it -very helpful - Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[tman1020]

It can also help prevent damage to your top link.
If you don't have something like that on the top link portion of your bush hog and you back into a hill it puts a lot of pressure on the top link of your tractor. It can even lift your rear wheels off the ground

 

[Texasmark]

If your mower uses a flat steel bar with a chain on the tail end from the 3rd member (top link), you don't need that accessory. It's for rigid 3 pt attachment mowers to do as others have stated.

 

[RSKY]

I have seen some smaller hogs that have a chain for the top link.

 

[jb1390]

I have seen some smaller hogs that have a chain for the top link.

My mower is a 6 footer, and uses a chain for the top link. It did not come that way from the factory, but is a very effective method of allowing the mower to follow contour.

 

[ch1ch2]

My mower is a 6 footer, and uses a chain for the top link. It did not come that way from the factory, but is a very effective method of allowing the mower to follow contour.

Do you have ROPS on your tractor?
Chain works for contour but does nothing to prevent kick up. If the shredder catches something it could flip up and hit the operator if you do not have ROPS.

 

[Ford850]

View attachment 491934View attachment 491935

I have seen some brush hogs without this part and others with it. What is the purpose of it and should I use it?
Thanks

That second picture shows the part installed backwards. If you turn it around, you should be able to adjust your top link so this part engages when you lift the mower approximately 6" off the ground. Once it engages the mower won't hinge and will lift the tail from that point upward. That allows the tail wheel to fall 6" following contours. It also allows the tail to raise up much more that that if you back into a hill or come off a hill through a dip or sway area.

 

[ovrszd]

Do you have ROPS on your tractor?
Chain works for contour but does nothing to prevent kick up. If the shredder catches something it could flip up and hit the operator if you do not have ROPS.

Wow, I've never heard of that!!!! Sounds very dangerous.

 

[Citydude]

Do you have ROPS on your tractor? Chain works for contour but does nothing to prevent kick up. If the shredder catches something it could flip up and hit the operator if you do not have ROPS.

I used a chain for a top link when I was contract mowing right of ways. Coming off of slopes were a hazard with a standard top link at times and was creating stress fractures on the cutter. The chain was a huge improvement and eliminated the stress fractures on the cutter from coming down off a sloped terrain. I hit everything imagined like old half sunken engine blocks hiding in the weeds to cement chunks. I never had the cutter fly up. Maybe I was lucky however if I had to do it over, I'd choose the chain top link.

 

[CobyRupert]

Wow, I've never heard of that!!!! Sounds very dangerous.

Yes it is.....wait , are you being sarcastic? Can't tell.

After clearing a pine stand, I mow it about once a year. There's still plenty of stumps left there....you know where this story is going....yep, I forgot the stumps at one end of the clearing are taller than the other and caught the front edge (guard) of the mower, turned around in time to see the 7' wide mower pretty much standing straight up and down. I don't know if I raised the 3 pth or it just slipped over the stump but she fell back to earth in the right direction; and didn't keep going over onto the ROPS.
Maybe the linkage would/did stop it from going all the way over, maybe the pto shaft stops it too; I don't know and I don't ever want to test it again to find out. One h*ll of a sight. Not a comfy feeling.

...and this was with hard linkage, not a chain "top link"

 

[ovrszd]

No Coby, I wasn't being sarcastic. Just saying I've never heard of it.

 

[Citydude]

Yes it is.....wait , are you being sarcastic? Can't tell. After clearing a pine stand, I mow it about once a year. There's still plenty of stumps left there....you know where this story is going....yep, I forgot the stumps at one end of the clearing are taller than the other and caught the front edge (guard) of the mower, turned around in time to see the 7' wide mower pretty much standing straight up and down. I don't know if I raised the 3 pth or it just slipped over the stump but she fell back to earth in the right direction; and didn't keep going over onto the ROPS. Maybe the linkage would/did stop it from going all the way over, maybe the pto shaft stops it too; I don't know and I don't ever want to test it again to find out. One h*ll of a sight. Not a comfy feeling. ...and this was with hard linkage, not a chain "top link"

Wow, that's crazy weird. If I caught things on the front edge of the mower, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

 

[ovrszd]

Wow, that's crazy weird. If I caught things on the front edge of the mower, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

I've only did it once on the right corner and it slid my tractor around until it came loose. Not saying it can't happen though.

 

[Citydude]

I've only did it once on the right corner and it slid my tractor around until it came loose. Not saying it can't happen though.

Agreed. anything can happen when mowing. I'm glad I don't mow ditches anymore. I took way too many risks for $$$.

 

[ovrszd]

Agreed. anything can happen when mowing. I'm glad I don't mow ditches anymore. I took way too many risks for $$$.

I mow 1 7/8 mile of road banks/ditches. I mow another 1 3/4 mile of waterways and fencelines. I've found it best to remove an obstacle when first detected rather than remember to dodge it when mowing.

 

[Citydude]

I mow 1 7/8 mile of road banks/ditches. I mow another 1 3/4 mile of waterways and fencelines. I've found it best to remove an obstacle when first detected rather than remember to dodge it when mowing.

The last summer I mowed, it was roughly 175 acres worth of ditches, water impoundments and right of ways. I contract mowed for three summers and mowed the same areas. The city was supposed to remove obstacles I encountered however they never did. It's amazing how a person can remember down to the square foot where they had to install a new shear bolt...

 

[ovrszd]

The last summer I mowed, it was roughly 175 acres worth of ditches, water impoundments and right of ways. I contract mowed for three summers and mowed the same areas. The city was supposed to remove obstacles I encountered however they never did. It's amazing how a person can remember down to the square foot where they had to install a new shear bolt...

I have always thought contract mowers would get abused. The total crap is left for you. The good stuff is mowed by the "owner".

 

[motownbrowne]

Wow, I'm glad I came back to check this thread. I'd never considered that a mower could come up like that! Glad you were alright CodyRupert, that must have been quite a sight.

This site is great. I love learning about dangerous tractor situations without having to stumble upon them firsthand.