Rotary Cutter Hookin' Up That Rotary Cutter

MikePA · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

I have also removed the PTO shield from the back of the tractor to make hookup faster.

My biggest problem is with the plastic shield around the end of the drive shaft. The shield on the tractor has never caused me a problem. Interesting to read of the different experiences.

hazmat · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

My Rhino 5 ft cutter has a collar that twists instead of pulling back. 

I just had to quote Ed in purple /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. My landpride RFM has the twist collar too. Very easy to hook up. I use JMIII's procedure.

cj7 · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

What about using a fast hitch system?

WVBill · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

I added the Kubota ROPS to my B6100 which replaces the PTO shield with the ROPS attachment structure - so now I've got a 1/4" thick steel PTO shield. There is NO room around the plastic shield on the end of the PTO shaft for my PHD. If it wasn't plastic and bendable I would not be able to get my fingers past it to slide it onto the tractor's PTO drive. Nor would I be able to raise the 3PH up with the PHD connected - when I do now, that plastic shield, which ends up inside the PTO shield/ROPS structure, compresses against the top of the shield/structure. I'm thinking of just removing that plastic bell shaped shield on the end.

Freds · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

My 4' KK has the twist style locking ring which is much easier to deal with than the pull back type. Especially when you start getting grease on your fingers.
I set it on a wood pallet when I disconnect and it slides around pretty easy and stays put for the next hook up. So far it has gone on quicker than the PHD (barely) and RFM (a lot). I only have a dirt floor and my RFM casters like finding their way back where I just moved them from. I like the FEL for fine adjustments idea, I wish I had known about that yesterday when it was time to mow again.

Fred

beenthere · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Anyone think of a good reason, or even a safety reason, for keeping the plastic bell-shaped collar on the tractor end of the PTO shaft of a rotary cutter? Seems to me the primary reason for this shield is to protect a user when working around the running PTO shaft of equipment not like the rotary cutter, such as a feed grinder or a PTO powered wagon used when unloading hay silage, or something similar. As a boy, we had a lot of PTO driven equipment on the farm that often had no shield, and stepping across the running PTO was a no-no (unless one wanted to risk getting ones clothes peeled off quickly, along with body parts if luck was running against you at the moment). But in the 50's, safety shields were becomming onto the scene. Now they are plastic covers that don't rotate, over the rotating shaft within.

But has it become just the norm, such that even a rotary cutter has the full-blown safety shield protection, when in fact no one is ever standing on or around the cutter when it is operating. I think removing the bell-shaped collar on the PTO shaft at the tractor end would do no harm.

However, is there a chance that tall grass, or brush, or grape-vines might wrap up around the universal joint that is under that bell-shaped plastic shield? I suspect wrapping things around the shaft shouldn't be a problem, and removing the collar will make attaching and un-attaching the PTO much more convenient. I believe it just slides on with some locking hooks to hold it. And if not, a sharp utility knife will remove it.

OverlyRun · Jun 21, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Harv,

My Landpride 60" has a spring-loaded pin that requires firm thumb pressure at the same time you twist the PTO shaft a small amount to align the grooves and a healthy push to get the pin past the notch on the PTO....and of course this is done in the dark at the back end of the tractor in the recesses of the barn...

Hazards: 1) cuts on fingers from spring as thumb slips, 2) pinched finger as PTO shaft finally slams onto the PTO 3) bruised rear upon tripping over 3-pt arms as slammed hand is waved in air.

With practice the whole routine (including abbreviated hand waving) can now be accomplished in about 30 seconds. This minimizes opportunities for kids and wife to observe....recommending I think the pin over the collar.

Chas

Slamfire · Jun 22, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

I've got a tow behind I'll trade for your 3-point. It is a whole lot easier to hook up. That is the only thing about it that is easier thougth.

Harv · Jun 22, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Just to catch up a little --

The comments posted here have been more interesting than I had expected. Seems like there's a number of different perceptions about where the difficulties lie in hooking up a cutter. Obviously, my own problem was just getting into a good position to connect to the PTO. I have no trouble lining up the tractor or making the micro adjustments for hooking up the 3-pt arms. I just use my micro adjuster tool -- a 6-foot prybar. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

I have no experience with any of the fast hitch systems, cj7. Do they give you better access to the PTO?

Sounds like there's several different PTO attachment systems, too -- the pin type, the twist collar, the retractable collar, etc. I didn't mention it earlier, but the collar on mine seems to have some kind of detent which holds it in place once you pull it back. Then when you shove the yolk onto the PTO spline far enough, it snaps into the lock position. Now, it's possible I'm jumping to conclusions, and I can't check it for sure until I get back up to the property in a couple of weeks, but I think that's what's happening.

From previous threads, I'm also conscious of protecting the yolk/collar mechanism from dirt particles when the cutter is not being used, so since I store mine outdoors I've added one step to my disconnect procedure, and that's to fasten a plastic bag over that part before I cover the whole thing with a tarp.

The good news is that after this whole discussion, I'm actually looking forward to hooking up the cutter for another round of brush cuttin'.

vtfrank · Jun 22, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Hi harv, tell your wife that I think you're a genius. I will definitely try your idea. I was in even worse shape than you in connecting up- because I hook up the pto last after the top link and the two bottom links are already hooked up. thanks vtfrank

TBone · Jun 24, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Harv,

I've got two cutters, a light 6' and a HEAVY 6' Howse that weighs about 900 lbs. The light one is not too bad even on dirt. I just use a 6' pry bar and jack it around in position to hook up the 3ph arms.

The heavy duty Howse is something else. When it is in soft dirt (which is mostly the case), it is a real pain to move enough to get the arms hooked to the pins. Hooking up the arms makes hooking up the driveshaft seem almost like fun./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

The Howse has a twist lock on it too. I actually prefer the kind that pulls back. When I try to twist the end the whole shaft tries to turn.

One of these days I am going to fix a concrete pad with some type of roller bed to sit my cutter on. It would be so much easier on the old back.

TBone

Harv · Jun 24, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

One of these days I am going to ...

Sounds like a good title for a new thread, except Muhammad wouuldn't have enough disk space to hold it. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Know what you mean, though. I'd sure like to have big ol' barn with a nice, flat concrete floor. Then I'd fer sure have my implements on roll-around dollies.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 24, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

"big ol' barn with a nice, flat concrete floor"

Ahhh.... Dare to dream... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

smilingreen · Jun 24, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Hey,...uh...Harv...???
Kinda funny.....but my "green machine" doesn't seem to have these problems /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif. Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif . But seriousy, I have the collar on my JD513 cutter and I connect it first to the PTO before I hook up the rest of the Rotary cutter. Works very well for me. (except for the broken welds on the back of the cutter, which Hillybilly forewarned me about that would eventually happen).

Alan L. · Jun 24, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Was that Slim Pickens that rode that PTO shaft in the movie Dr. Stranglove? Kinda reminds me of that......

My Rhino 5-foot cutter has the collar that you have to pull back while pushing the driveshaft onto the PTO shaft. The key seems to be making sure the splines are lined up ( I try to mark it in the grease and try not to turn it) and that there is plenty of grease on the PTO shaft. I have that PTO cover that gets in the way, and this is the most frustrating part of changing implements. I have a bad shoulder that makes ot even worse.

I like the idea of putting the end of the shaft in a plastic bag, and maybe I should cover my stuff with tarps. I have been just subjecting the implements to the weather.

I usually do one side, then the PTO, then the other side, then the top link. But the PTO is by far the hardest part.

BB_TX · Jun 25, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Wow! All this talk about the pull and twist collars makes me glad mine is the spring loaded pin type on my 6' cutter. I have never taken more than a few seconds to get mine on. I can easily rotate my PTO shaft by hand to align the splines and the collar slides right on.

gerard · Jun 25, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

does adding a quick hitch make the job (hooking up PTO) tougher?

I have a quick hitch and while it makes hooking up a LOT easier, it does make access to the PTO shaft even more restricted. I have the pin type but it does take a little contortioning to get in and hook up the shaft. I'm very happy with the quick hitch though as it makes hooking things up a lot easier since you don't have to line things up so perfectly when on uneven ground. (I noticed bigger tractors all have the open three point arms which accomplishes the same thing as the quick hitch. Seems like a much better design. Wonder why the cuts don't use that style too. Be a hell of a selling point with me........) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

beenthere · Jun 25, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

Do you have a picture of your quick hitch and of the 'open' 3pt arms you are referring to on the bigger tractors? I am not getting a mental image of the differences. Thanks

gerard · Jun 26, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

I don't know how well the detail will show up but if you can open the file in a photo program you can blow it up and look at the link arm ends. They are basically an open "C" with the cup facing straight up. All you do is lower the three point below the pins, drive under and lift the three point. There are two latches you then release that extends two bars and kind of closes the cup. If you're on uneven ground it doesn't matter as one side will contact first, then the other will slip in. Not like a conventional one where you have to get two sides perfectly lined up. Not quite as good as the "triangle" design but for $199 I can use it on all my implements and don't need a separate peice for each piece of equipment I own. Since I got it I haven't had it off. No reason I can think of they can't make the lower factory links the same way. Much easier to hook up.
Not so the

chim · Jun 26, 2002

Re: Hookin\' Up That Rotary Cutter

How does the top connect between the implement and the QH? In particular, my RFM has a connection that requires a swinging connection, unlike a scraper blade. The QH looks like it simply has a hook on top. What would keep the swinging connection from flipping off? Thanks.............chim