Bush Hog Chain Length

[bones66]

When I am operating my bush hog and using a chain instead of a top link should the chain be tight, have slack. If you say slack about how much.

Please do not try to save my life by telling me how dangerous using a chain is.... I already know it is not OSHA approved! Thanks!

 

[K5lwq]

This is soooo dangerous! :laughing:

The only time the chain needs to be tight is to raise the mower for transport or to back into tall stuff. Take the top link off and raise your lift arms to the highest point you plan to mow at and then measure for the proper length of chain. No problem.

 

[bones66]

Thanks! That is exactly how I have mine set. I contemplated letting it out a couple links to allow it to conform to the ground contour rather than lifting the tail wheel and in many instances allowing the tail wheel to bounce down against the ground rather hard.

 

[FTG-05]

Why isn't it OSHA approved?

 

[K5lwq]

Because it is so dangerous. Be safe out there! :thumbsup:

 

[MESSMAKER]

You can always throw a quick link in there so it is adjustable to a point.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Please do not try to save my life by telling me how dangerous using a chain is.

Use a bit of rope and bungee cord in the middle of the chain, up to the top of the roll over bar to hold up the chain when it has slack..

 

[FTG-05]

Because it is so dangerous. Be safe out there! :thumbsup:

Why????

 

[K5lwq]

I was joking with the OP. I do not think it is dangerous at all. I found humor in his first post.

 

[rob in ore]

Why isn't it OSHA approved?

I think it's because there's a chance that the mower deck could flip forward if there is not a rigid connection to the top link.
I had the same question years ago. Imagine that the front edge of the mower hit something like a stump. It would probably take a perfect storm of beer and bad decisions in order for this to happen though. Three Stooges meet the Keystone Kops.

 

[Bearsixty7]

The only time the chain needs to be tight is to raise the mower for transport or to back into tall stuff. Take the top link off and raise your lift arms to the highest point you plan to mow at and then measure for the proper length of chain. No problem.

I'd say this but add, then raise 2 more inches and that's the length the chain needs to be so that when you do lower back to your cutting height it has a couple of inches of travel to follow the ground some.

 

[ptsg]

Oh boy. What would OSHA say about, not only 2 chains above the PTO shaft but two more under the deck. Just rolling with the joke by the way. :laughing: These mowers are actually CE certificate compliant.

 

[FTG-05]

I was joking with the OP. I do not think it is dangerous at all. I found humor in his first post.

No wonder I missed it: My reflexes are so fast, nothing goes over my.... never mind.

 

[Coboco]

Oh boy. What would OSHA say about, not only 2 chains above the PTO shaft but two more under the deck. Just rolling with the joke by the way. :laughing: These mowers are actually CE certificate compliant.

View attachment 669722View attachment 669721

I want to know more about that mower. I hope the new rotary cutter I got will suit me fine, but seeing something like that makes me feel like that would be great in some not-so-ideal circumstances

 

[ptsg]

I want to know more about that mower. I hope the new rotary cutter I got will suit me fine, but seeing something like that makes me feel like that would be great in some not-so-ideal circumstances

It's our style of mowers. 90% use chains instead of blades. This very good on rocky ground, stumps, heavy brush, thick brush, whatever. Blades will just get smashed on rocks, while chains just skip over it.

We also don't use a tail wheel because we back these things under tall bush, sometimes hitting trees, walls, big rocks and stuff that we can't see.

By using chains, it does requires more HP from the tractor. Specially in heavy and dense grass, is where it takes all the HP. A 4ft mower, like mine, is the size suited for a 35HP tractor, and it can bog down in heavy and dense grass. While a mower with blades, you could probably run a 5 or 6 ft.

On higher HP tractors, we will often run 4 chains instead of 2. Now, these things will not leave a great finish but we ain't cutting a lawn either so, doesn't matter that much.

Here are a couple videos of it in operation.

Limpeza de Terreno em SIntra muitos carrascos - YouTube

Limpezas de terrenos - YouTube

 

[bones66]

Man would I like to have that critter for a few days. Might have to hit the ibuprofen after looking over my shoulder all day. I know it was a video but it seemed awful quite while it was gnawing on those saplings, some of which were decent sized.

 

[ptsg]

Man would I like to have that critter for a few days. Might have to hit the ibuprofen after looking over my shoulder all day. I know it was a video but it seemed awful quite while it was gnawing on those saplings, some of which were decent sized.

These things are awesome and not really that expensive. A 4 ft mower like mine cost me €650 or $770. 4 ft is cutting width, outside dimension it's a little bit more.

These mowers have chains guards which helps tremendously reducing thrown debris. I actually lost a chain link (it was cracked and I did weld it for the job in hand) and it just fell off exactly where it broke. I managed to find both broken halves just on top of the mowed brush.

 

[bones66]

What are they called, I’ve tried looking them up and can’t find anything.

 

[ptsg]

What are they called, I’ve tried looking them up and can’t find anything.

It's called brush mowers. Mostly common in Portugal, Spain, Italy and a few other European countries.

I'm 99% sure that you can't find these in the US, probably due to all safety concerns, which in reality, it's not any more dangerous than a conventional blade mower.

Here is a brochure in English that I managed to find: https://agriduarte.com/v4/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FT_470070_Capinadeiras FX PT_FR_EN.pdf

Please excuse the poor English on that brochure. We know better than that. Not sure why one of the best brands of attachments here, didn't manage to do a better job translating.