General bush hog questions

[bcp]

So I wear my seat belt religiously while doing any kind of work that gets over a crawl.

RSKY

Please post a photo.



Bruce

 

[lostcreekranch]

RSKY;

Bush Hog 3008. Upper link connected to rear of cutter with tube inside of tube to allow rear of cutter to follow terrain.





Woods BB72 Brush Bull. Jointed upper link to .......... allow rear of cutter to follow terrain.





LS 84” Rear Finish Mower. Slack in upper link to keep Mower on it gauge wheels.





Taking float out of upper link would result in a really crappy cut if terrain was not pool table flat.

 

[DieselBound]

DB, sInce BARE-Co is in Australia, do they have US Dealers?

Yes. I got my PTO shaft from a JD dealer near by. Seem to recall that it didn't take very long to get it.

 

[DieselBound]

RSKY;

IMHO, you set cutter rear height with rear wheel(s).

You set front height with 3 point lower arms.

The top link needs to be able to float to let rear of the cutter to follow terrain. Most high end cutters have this built in. Mine sure do.

Some even connect top link with chains so, the cutter can float.

In fact, you could cut very well with top link unhooked.

Not sure where you’re getting your information but, it’s not correct. What model cutter do you have?

Good information there! I have two fairly new to me rotary cutters and both have floating top-links. In the past I'd only had a fixed top link. WHAT A HUGE difference! I feel that I have FINALLY managed to get a proper set: I am no longer constantly adjusting the hitch height to deal with undulating ground (and tree root crowns).

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yes. I got my PTO shaft from a JD dealer near by. Seem to recall that it didn't take very long to get it.

DB, I just sent Bare-Co an inquiry, on their contact page, to see if they have stocking dealers in USA and specifically in Texas.

I think that, if they work, their PTO Covers will make hookup and greasing much easier. Easier to grease usually results in ........ greasing more often.

 

[Gary Fowler]

This is what the boot area on mine is like. You can see how the boot is longer than the connection. Just makes it real difficult. Maybe not cut that boot entirely off, but several inches back so I can see and manipulate the u-joint and collar connector?

View attachment 532000

I can't have the PTO running and be out of the seat. I can't think of any good reason for me (or anyone) to ever be anywhere near the rear of the tractor with the PTO engaged. This is the only shaft-driven attachment I have though - maybe a log splitter or something else I guess there could be a reason for someone to be somewhat near that area.

I wouldn't cut right next to a person or vehicle or anything I wouldn't want shot with a rock. But if someone else is in the general area, what is a safe distance that anything flung out by the bush hog isn't a big threat? 50 yds? 100? So far it has hit some decent rocks but just made a lot of noise and hasn't sent anything flying. But am assuming it easily could launch a rock in any direction.

No kids running around my property. Mostly just me there unless my wife wants to come along and split some wood (no idea why, but she really likes splitting wood), pick grapes & berries, etc.

If the "bell" of the plastic is protruding past the end of the PTO universal joint, then by all means move it back so you can access the PTO to hook it up. This can either be done by trimming with a knife or perhaps it just needs to be slide back on the PTO shaft a bit. It should never extend past the end of the universal joint.

As for cutting saplings, I have used a lightweight bush hog to cut saplings as large as 6" (basically anything my tractor could ride over using the FEL to push them over. When bent like that, ease into them with the bush hog and it will shear them like a hot knife thru butter. It will take move finesse to chew them up though so it might require raising the bushhog up then gently lowering it on to the tree carcass. Trees in the 2-3" size, I never give them a though, just power right over them. Heck I can cut a 1" sapling with my weedeater with the steel cutter attachment.

 

[teg]

...I can't have the PTO running and be out of the seat. I can't think of any good reason for me (or anyone) to ever be anywhere near the rear of the tractor with the PTO engaged...

PTO can run cutting saws, generator, Chipper / shredder, Irrigation pump and others... For my tractor, I have a second or two to tilt the seat up and onto the steering wheel. That allows for PTO operation without someone in the seat. I run my chipper for hours at a time.

 

[oosik]

I engage the PTO, stand up and in about five seconds an alarm sounds for about 6 to 8 seconds - then its all over with. I go on about the business of stuffing the chipper.

 

[RSKY]

I agree with setting the top link like you guys are saying but in the very thick stuff I mowed this fall the wheel wasn't touching the ground. Had everything set so all brush went out the back.

RSKY

 

[DieselBound]

I agree with setting the top link like you guys are saying but in the very thick stuff I mowed this fall the wheel wasn't touching the ground. Had everything set so all brush went out the back.

RSKY

Oh, man! I pull up the tail on my BH286 and run back into tall brush and drop it down: even drop the tail over the sides of ditches (not the most efficient, having to jockey to be perpendicular, but it's better than the alternative- doing it by hand).* Hydraulic top links are great! Of course, there's nothing around (way out on the property), so no worries about flying material. In normal operating position, though, it's nice to have the chain guards (or whatever you call them): really take a beating.

* One has to be very sure that one's PTO shaft allows for sufficient overlap at such extremes; and, that you're operating within the specified range angle-wise of the PTO shaft. I was surprised to find that, as raked as it could look, with the tail WAY up (max) and WAY down (max) that the difference in length and angle were not much at all: I measured.