3-point hitch hitting back tires: PLEASE HELP!

[kjacob]

Hi Folks,

I recently purchased a used TC30. This weekend I borrowed a neigbor's John Deere brush hog. I believe it's a 5' model.


The brush hog worked beautifully, with one exception. When making relatively sharp turns, and especially on sloping terrain (New England hay field), one or the other of the two side left arms on the hydraulic 3-point lift would interfere with the treads of the back tractor tires.

I'd have to stop and try to straighten out the tractor to stop the interference. In thinking about mechanically what would fix this, you would want the two side arms to be prevented from swinging out towards the tires as much as they are currently allow to swing.

I noticed an adjustable threaded-rod tie between the arm and the tractor body, of a similar design as the one that's used to adjust the length of the the center arm of the 3-point hitch, but significantly smaller.

Perhaps those could be used to limit the swing of the two side arms?

I'd be very grateful for any advice here. I'd like to buy a share in the brush hog but not if I can't solve this interference problem.

If necessary I can get the exact model of the brush hog.

Thanks!

kjacob

 

[AKwelder]

the adjustable turn buckles you mentioned most likely need to be tigtened. my kubota is the same way, and needs to be adjusted on different implements.

 

[jedjoe]

I don't suppose you got a photo of that brush hog when attached and in "neutral" (level and straight behind) position? I saw the cutter, and it's a JD 48 inch model. That cutter shouldn't be oversized for your TC30.

It sounds like there are two things in play at the same time: 1) the lower lift arms are spread too wide, probably creating only bare minimum clearance even in "neutral position"; 2) there is too much "play" in the lift arm adjustment, allowing the cutter to swing too much behind.

Can the pins for the brush hog be rotated to the inside (vs. the outside) of the cutter frame? If they could, and you had enough inside swing to the lower arms, you could decrease the angle and get those arms away from the tires. Don't know if that would place any excessive stress on the metal components, but it's a thought.

 

[kjacob]

Hi jedjoe,

I don't have a photo. Sorry. I should have done that before I left the farm.

I know what you mean about the pins of the mower going on the inside of the arms but they don't have that option.

I did notice, however, that the center arm, which started attached to the upper side of the attachment point on the mower, swiveled to the lower side when I was finished. This was puzzling at the time, especially as I sorted out how to get the pin out of the center-arm attachment when I wanted to disconnect the mower. Now I'm thinking that all three turnbuckles should have been tightened considerably before I got underway.

I'll take a closer look and see if that's it. I sure do want that mower to work out because it's perfect for my property.

 

[DJ4wd]

I would be willing to say that the arms need to be tightened by shorting the turnbuckle. I say this because I had the same problem with my MF 210. I tightened them up and no more rubbing tires.
Hope this helped

 

[jedjoe]

I went out and looked over my three point hitch set up, which although somewhat different from yours, essentially has stabilizer bars that control the motion of the lower lift arms. I'm with DJ and AK on this, tightening up those turnbuckles on the stabilizer bars should definitely take care of that swinging. Tell me this forum is not the best thing since sliced bread!

 

[Johndeere3720]

My yanmar has a similar issue even with the turn buckles all the way tightend. The reasoning though is i purchased some telescopic lower links which need a hole drilled in them to actually get the turn buckles to actually tighten my hitch. It is fine when down but when i lift all the way up my tires start to pay a price. I will get this fixed soon though. i can post pictures if anyone is interested. :thumbsup:

 

[Jerry/MT]

Are there any stabilzer bars that run from the underside of the rear axle to the lift arms? If not , there should be. If they are there than they need adjustment to limit the lateral motion ofthe implement.

 

[k0ua]

When you hook up next time. park the tractor on a flat level place. raise the rotary cutter turn off tractor . . set brake get off. get behind the rotary cutter. eyeball it. Is it "square" to the tractor. start with left side right side height. should be the same.. if not. adjust vertical turnbuckle on right side. between upper lift arm and lower link.. once that is done. Look again. is the cutter centered on the centerline of the tractor. if so.. now push sideways on the rotary cutter both directions. if if moves very much. tighten the lower turnbuckles. you might need to tighten one and loosen the other to center it. but the end result is you want centered and little to no slack when you shove it sideways. now comes the harder part. get back on and start tractor raise and lower the cutter.. you usually want the rear wheel to hit the ground about the same time as you get the front edge to the height you want to mow. you might have to adjust the top link by screwing it in or out to make this happen. then there is the matter of angle you want the rotary cutter to track. normally you want the back to be a little higher than the front when you have the front set to the mowing height you want and the wheel on the ground, the Azz end should be a little higher for good discharge out the back. You usually have several bolt holes to adjust this with and you can break out the big wrenches and adjust the back wheel height. Your cutter may be different, but perhaps this gives you some ideas.. I bet the lower links wont rub the tires when you "side hill" any more if the turnbuckles are tightend properly
James K0UA

 

[kjacob]

Thank you EVERYONE so much for helping me out here. I have a much clearer idea now about what to do. I'm especially grateful for the most recent detailed advice on centering. It makes total sense.

The mower height is already quite good but I'll make a few more adjustments to slightly lower the front for better discharge. I trimmed it to flat elevation and noticed quite a bit of debris spitting out the front of the mower, toward the tractor (and me!)

kjacob