King Kutter Top Link

jinman · Nov 1, 2005

( No need to disable your protective devices.. )

I looked in the Operator's Manual and couldn't find the toplink listed under "protective devices." I did find ROPs listed there. ...don't know anybody with a tractor without a ROPs do you? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Just because you call something a protective device, don't necessarily make it so. I can tell you that pullin' a two-bottom plow is a lot safer than pulling a rotary cutter, and that would be a true statement. But I would never go out on a limb to call a two-bottom plow a protective device. Nowhere on any toplink I've ever seen has there been a protective device sticker, nor does my Operator's Manual call it one. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

JerryG · Nov 1, 2005

I have ask the question "Has anyone actually had a brush hog flip up on the tractor while using a chain for the top link or do you actually know anyone that has had this happen first hand?" many times in the last 5-6 years on this site. I have had one and only one person (a dealer) answer yes and I really think that he just told that because he was mad because no one was believing him.

JerryG · Nov 1, 2005

There are very, very few that would benefit from a chain more than the factory attachment on this site. The only time that the chain is better is when the terrain in really bad and the top link is constantly damaged.

jinman · Nov 1, 2005

( There are very, very few that would benefit from a chain more than the factory attachment on this site. The only time that the chain is better is when the terrain in really bad and the top link is constantly damaged. )

Agreed, with the qualification of the terrain, and it being up to the judgement of the individual. I think a person who has problems because of rough terrain should try both ways. If they feel they have the need or want to make limited use of the chain toplink, then I would say to use it. I only raise my disagreement when someone condemns it as completely unsafe.

RalphVa · Nov 2, 2005

In my case, I found my terrain was diverse enough to require a chain in place of the top link. There are places where (before the chain was used) my rear wheels would want to drop into a depression. The top link and trail wheel kept the wheels from dropping. They just spun, at least one did. Got out by locking the diff.

My LX4 has about 2" of play up and down. This is not enough for my uneven terrain. One of those U-shaped brakets in addition to what it has might work as well as the chain. Those brackets would stick up enough to possibly nail me in the head if the whole mess V flexed on me (as others pointed out, there seem to be very few incidences of this happening).

Ralph

djradz · Nov 2, 2005

( Sure a trailing mower can flip up.. and a 3pt has a small bit of protection against that in the way of a toplink. No need to disable your protective devices.. however minimally effective they are.. right?

With that logic.. we might as well remove all belt and pto shields.. get rid of seat belts and rops/fops, and stop using flame retardent materials, and go back to gas cap designs that can expell fuel under force.. remove warning lables telling people not to open hot radiators, and warning around fan shrouds.. etc.. right? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy )

I'm sorry but I wholeheartedly disagree with your philosophy. I'm not advocating disconnecting any protective devices, especially those you note. I just don't think all this concern over a rotary cutter flipping up is warranted. In fact, I really think the whole issue, which seems to keep reappearing on TBN and being reinforced by folks that never can relate an actual experience, is just fostering the idea that something bad really can happen. (Remember the old addage, "If you hear it enough times you'll start to believe it." In closing, I just don't think the chance of it happening is worth worring about. In fact, I'll go so far to say that if the top link provided no other function than preventing a flip, and didn't function to help lift the 3-pt, this might be a case where I'd remove it. Again, relating back to a trailer-type deck, if it truly was a "safety device" on a 3-pt, why isn't there some type of top link limiting upward movement on a trailer-type? -- just a thought.

Farmwithjunk · Nov 2, 2005

( I have ask the question "Has anyone actually had a brush hog flip up on the tractor while using a chain for the top link or do you actually know anyone that has had this happen first hand?" many times in the last 5-6 years on this site. I have had one and only one person (a dealer) answer yes and I really think that he just told that because he was mad because no one was believing him. )

In all my days, I've never heard of a mower actually "flipping up" behind a moving tractor. I suppose it's POSSIBLE, just like UFO's are POSSIBLE, but until I actually SEE one.....

Now to address a few other comments from other post's....

And just because something isn't listed in an owners manual as a saftey device, that doesn't make it NOT a saftey device. I'd about bet your brakes aren't listed specifically as "saftey device" in any manuals, but if they AREN'T saftey items, what is? Same applies to 3-point hitches. They made using a tractor MUCH safer. To me, that would put them in the "saftey features" section of MY manual.

I can personally account for over 15,000 hours on the 3 tractors I currently own, and 2 that I have sold in recent years. Before that, I grew up on my fathers farm tractors. Probably a good 5000 to 6000 hours there. At one time or another nearly every part on those tractors played into the "operator saftey" aspect in one way or another. Sure, some weren't DESIGNED as saftey features, but they still made operating a tractor much safer.

That applies to 3-point hitch components, INCLUDING the top link.

JMHO, and worth all you paid for it!

jrabb5 · Nov 2, 2005

I have the same mower and I replaced #7 on both sides with chain and did away with #16. I have an old dead Bush Hog brand that had a single chain from the top link to where the rear wheel attached to the mower.

greg_g · Nov 2, 2005

( In my case, I found my terrain was diverse enough to require a chain in place of the top link...My LX4 has about 2" of play up and down. This is not enough for my uneven terrain. One of those U-shaped brakets in addition to what it has might work as well as the chain.)

In your case Ralph, the problem is not with the LX4 - it's with the iMatch/LX4 combination. The iMatch may be an excellent tool for other implements, but not for a rotary cutter (or disc harrow). If you'd dismount the iMatch and chain, then attach the LX4 directly to the TPH with with a conventional toplink and the flexible toplink bracket you mention - I think you'd see the last of this 2" of play issue.

//greg//

Soundguy · Nov 2, 2005

( Just because you call something a protective device, don't necessarily make it so. ... I've ever seen has there been a protective device sticker, nor does my Operator's Manual call it one )

my vintage ford operators manual ( 9n? 8n? ) talks about the 'proper' 3pt hookup and use of the toplink for safety. mentions to always use the toplink where applicable, as it 'helps' to prevent / stall backflips.

I take that as a defacto 'warning'.

Soundguy