Flail mower - removal process

[marting]

Hi all,

Recent tractor owner here. I got it with a flail mower which came pre-attached on delivery; so far I have never taken it off since it acts as my loader counterweight too.
This may end up a dumb question but I'm new to this and it seems non obvious to me...

When I drop the rear lift arms all the way down the mower has the rear roller sitting on the ground with the front & 2 side skids slightly off the ground. Please see attached pictures.
To take it off the tractor I would assume if I simply knock out the pins holding it to the lift arms gravity takes over and the front/skids hit the ground. This is probably not a good idea and since the rear arms are already at lowest position how would I then line it up to pick it up again? I would assume I cannot lift it back up by hand.

What is the correct way to manage this?

Thank you,
-M.

 

[ptsg]

Just work with the top link. Get that nut loose, then shorten the top link by rotating the middle part of the top link, till the front of the mower touches the ground. Then everything should have little to no pressure and you can remove all the arms, top link and PTO shaft.

 

[alextassos1]

You can also set it on a pallet or a couple 4x4s under the skids. I have a couple implements that I set on blocks of wood because the pins are set lower than the arms in the tractor will go. All your pins should remove pretty much effortlessly to ensure an easy hookup when you reattach. Playing with the top link should work but setting the implement on a platform/wood is also an option.

 

[RjCorazza]

I block my tiller up under the skid shoes with 4x4 lumber to make reattaching it easier.

 

[Lnk]

Lower it gently to the ground until the top pin is not under any tension and you can spin it with your hand. Remove top link. Lower until lower pins are loose, remove lift arms from pins. If the lift arms never slack on the pins, blocks are needed. Remove PTO shaft. Put back on the reverse order. Lower links, top link, PTO.

Be careful. Nothing should have to be hammered out. Lot of weight there.

Also, stay away from anything rotating. It will hurt you bad or worse.

Good luck

 

[ericm979]

If you lower the flail by turning the top link, the flail will move closer to the tractor leaving less slack to get the PTO shaft off. I'd remove the PTO shaft first. I detatch the tractor end only and leave it connected to the implement.

Ditto on no hammering.

 

[thekkfan]

Can't tell from the pics, but mine also has a prop foot on the front of the mower to keep it from dropping to the ground.

I will reiterate others comments, I use plastic pallets to set equipment on, rather than grass or dirt.

 

[marting]

Awesome - thank you all for the advice. Based on this I believe my plan will be:
- Lower it on to a pallet
- Put some wood blocks under the skids to reduce how far it has to come down
- Shorten top link until it sits on those blocks and everything is slack
- Remove pto/pins

Will give that a try when it's time to change implement.
Cheers.