How fast to mow?

[johnrex62]

I have been reading several threads on test drives and seats and keep hearing about how a good seat will let you move quickly over bumpy surfaces without injuring yourself. I have an L3700SU, which does not have an air adjustable seat, and while I can comfortably drive over my field with the pedal to the floor in mid range, the mower bounces so much that I am afraid of damaging my top link or hitch arms.

The field was often under water in the rainy season due to roadway runoff. This has lead to small washboarding ripples in the surface. Too small to notice when walking, but they make an irritating harmonic rippling bounce when the tractor moves too quickly. I have to keep it at mid pedal or slower in mid range to avoid this clanking bouncing of the mower.

My question is am I adjusting my mower incorrectly that permits this jarring bouncing or do I just need to continue to keep my speed slower as a result of this washboarding of the hard clay field? How do others bounce so much as to need an air seat and still not damage their implement or top links?

 

[whistlepig]

Assuming that you are using a brush hog do you mow with the front of the brush hog raised off the ground?

 

[Wolfy]

Have you made sure there is plenty of float in the top link?

 

[gwdixon]

The top link to the rotary cutter should not be tight (as Wolfy implies). There are several setups to keep it loose. Some cutters use a chain, others a swing "U" shape bracket, and probably more. Lengthen your top link.

Some folks take off the top link and use a chain in its place or even no top link if there is no reason to lift. (There are some safety issues as someone will certainly chime in about.)

At any rate, when you lift the cutter with the 3PH it should droop a bit. That is, the front should come off of the ground first and then the back wheel. That way the cutter will be able to freely move up and down over imperfections.

But there is little reason to scream around on washboard ground. Take it slow enough to not be an uncomfortable ride.

I was in a rush to level a plowed field and went way too fast - bucking bronco style. The next day my leg calfs were so sore from crimping and holding on that I could barely walk for two days. OK, a bit of a sissy but I won't be doing that again anytime soon.