IM600 rotary cutter, any good?

[curdy]

Greg, I really appreciate the time you took to describe that. It certainly makes sense to me, and I'll be leaving it as is, but raising it vertical when mowing.

No advice with the question on the top link sizing?

 

[reelnative]

Beg to differ. As previously stated, I owned an IM-602 for years. Following your recommended configuration will result in irreparable damage to the toplink threads and exert unintended stress (pushing) on the straps. It's that pushing action that bends them - they're only intended to pull. And the thread damage will occur every time the tail wheel rises high enough for the threads to make contact with the pin.

Yes, if you mount it upside down (from my perspective) the metal cross piece performs a lift function. But in doing so you subject the toplink and straps to unnecessary stress and damage. Mounted on the tractor end as I describe, that cross piece merely keeps the pinned bars parallel. Maybe it would become more clear if you equate it to the U-type FTLs. Except on the U-type, the part that keeps the side bars parallel is on the implement end. In the end, the design intent is strictly to keep the bars parallel, not to lift


The mounting method I describe (vertical while mowing) permits the FTL to swing an unimpeded 90 degree arc (45 degree forward and 45 degree rearward) in sync with the rise and fall of the tail wheel. At no time will the threads of the toplink touch metal, and there is no pushing force on the straps. When the mowing is finished, the toplink is shortened so that the FTL is horizontal. That permits the mower to be raised higher off the ground for transport, and exerts the intended pulling force on the straps.

That said, it's important that the toplink be sized appropriately to the tractor-mower combination. One that's too long will be problematic in getting the FTL horizontal for transport. One that's too short will be problematic in getting the FTL vertical for mowing.

//greg//

how can it cause damage to the top link if its flipped around then the metal part will be on the botom and can never come in contact with the top link, all it will be able to do is travel in both directions, the reasion his bars are bent is because of how the top link is installed now, im knida thinking your not getting what im trying to say but not to confuse the man with his new hog all he really needs to do is go to a web site that sells hogs like land pride and look at the information on how to set up the floating link

 

[kebo]

I'm with reelnative on this, WRT to the orientation of the "FTL". I'm leaving mine as is in the picture I already posted. I know it works just fine, the mower deck floats just fine, the "straps" do flex some when I raise/lower the deck (but not excessively), and it doesn't damage the threads on the toplink none whatsoever. In short, it has worked just fine for me going on three years now.

I just know that if it gets flipped any other way, it won't raise the rear of the mower deck very high at all, and there is only SO MUCH adjustment in the top link. But honestly, should one have to run the top link adjustment in and out (to nearly the maximum amount of travel) every time you want to raise it for transport or un/loading?

Maybe Ken (who I believe sells these BH's) will pipe in and tell us how they put them on the BH's that they sell????? Ken?

 

[reelnative]

I'm with reelnative on this, WRT to the orientation of the "FTL". I'm leaving mine as is in the picture I already posted. I know it works just fine, the mower deck floats just fine, the "straps" do flex some when I raise/lower the deck (but not excessively), and it doesn't damage the threads on the toplink none whatsoever. In short, it has worked just fine for me going on three years now.

I just know that if it gets flipped any other way, it won't raise the rear of the mower deck very high at all, and there is only SO MUCH adjustment in the top link. But honestly, should one have to run the top link adjustment in and out (to nearly the maximum amount of travel) every time you want to raise it for transport or un/loading?

Maybe Ken (who I believe sells these BH's) will pipe in and tell us how they put them on the BH's that they sell????? Ken?

kebo I just went and looked at your pic and yes you have it the right way, the bar stock part that you are pointing to in your pic does go on the bottom, not the top like in the posters pic, when its in the position that you have it, how it should be, it pics up on the hog when you tighten down on the top link for travel, and when loosened to a 45% angle facing the back when mowing it allows the back wheel to go up or down and takes the top link out of the equasion, the way you have yours in your pic it looks like you have it in the travel mode

 

[curdy]

OK, I am getting a bit confused here. Greg, you posted some great pics in another discussion about the floating bracket.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/173487-chain-top-link-flail-mower.html
I hope you don't mind me reposting your photo. This looks like what reelnative and kebo have been describing. I just want to make sure I understand.

Isn't there a manual or parts catalog somewhere that may show what the mfg recommends? Or am I just spoiled by the JD parts catalog that is so detailed?

 

[sweettractors]

OK, I am getting a bit confused here. Greg, you posted some great pics in another discussion about the floating bracket.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/173487-chain-top-link-flail-mower.html
I hope you don't mind me reposting your photo. This looks like what reelnative and kebo have been describing. I just want to make sure I understand.

Isn't there a manual or parts catalog somewhere that may show what the mfg recommends? Or am I just spoiled by the JD parts catalog that is so detailed?

The bracket is on correct in that pic, however, the toplink is screwed out too long. Ken Sweet

 

[reelnative]

curdy that pic looks just about right see how the bar stock part is on the bottom not the top and on yours its on top, in that pic you posted the top link should be pulled back just a bit so the float is at a 45% angle to the ground

 

[curdy]

Thanks for checking in Ken. So should the bracket be vertical? If so, how much does that let the deck drop to follow terrain? Say, if you're going over the crest of a hill? Is there a risk of the top link threads being damaged with this set up?

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks for checking in Ken. So should the bracket be vertical? If so, how much does that let the deck drop to follow terrain? Say, if you're going over the crest of a hill? Is there a risk of the top link threads being damaged with this set up?

No, not vertical, just 15-20 degrees off vertical suits most customers needs. The way it is set in the pic, you could damage threads on the toplink, however, I have never seen it happen. Ken Sweet

 

[curdy]

15-20 in which direction?