Lifting Rotary Cutter on Turns

[RoyJackson]

I was reading the operator's manual on my Land Pride cutter last night and noticed a comment:
"Make wide turns when possible. Three-point hitch and
optional Quick-Hitch models can be lifted into transport
position to make tight turns and to reverse direction."

I've never lifted my cutter to make a turn (and I do have to make sharp turns) although I can see it being easier on the 3PH draft links and where they attach.
Does anyone lift their cutter to make turns? Just curious...

 

[maybar]

I was reading the operator's manual on my Land Pride cutter last night and noticed a comment:
"Make wide turns when possible. Three-point hitch and
optional Quick-Hitch models can be lifted into transport
position to make tight turns and to reverse direction."

I've never lifted my cutter to make a turn (and I do have to make sharp turns) although I can see it being easier on the 3PH draft links and where they attach.
Does anyone lift their cutter to make turns? Just curious...

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Everything except the lawn tractor. My pocket knife even gets lifted.

 

[deere5105]

I only lift if the ground is rough. If I am in an area where it is pretty level and smooth, no chance for the side plates of the cutter to contact a ridge or mound of dirt, then I leave it down. Should be rolling along on the rear wheel, can't see where that would hurt a thing.

 

[cspot]

I very seldom ever do unless I turn using the brake. I have done it on occassion in very rough ground because you could bend your lift arms or the side of the rotary cutter if it would catch something. It is probably a good idea not to make sharp turns with it down.

 

[jenkinsph]

Not usually, if I were to make a turn using a brake I would, or in soft ground.

In most cases I make sure my tailwheel is in good shape and expect it to do its job. I would think there are some people who don't understand the stresses placed on the 3pt with an implement that extends so far beyond the rear of the tractor and the verbage is in there for that reason.

 

[TripleR]

I am pretty much in agreement with everyone else. As jenkisph notes, unless you exceed common sense loads by really fast, sharp turns or contact with something that will generate undue force, you won't have any problems. Even then it will probably require repeated stressors to do damage in all likelihood if your equipment is properly matched.

 

[sweettractors]

I never lift on turns, however, there would probably be a lot less stress on my cutters tail wheel if I did. Ken Sweet

 

[Ford tractor]

I lift as much as NASCAR drivers do (not often!)

 

[Chilly807]

I'm in the minority, I usually lift the mower if it's a tight turn. Probably the only reason I think to do it is because mine's a Land Pride as well. That's from reading the manual, I guess... I find the mower doesn't cut well if the turn is too sharp anyway, the mower moves too quickly to cut cleanly as it's crabbing sideways over the ground.

I'm more concerned over the stress on the 3 ph than the mower.

Sean

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm in the minority, I usually lift the mower if it's a tight turn. Probably the only reason I think to do it is because mine's a Land Pride as well. That's from reading the manual, I guess... I find the mower doesn't cut well if the turn is too sharp anyway, the mower moves too quickly to cut cleanly as it's crabbing sideways over the ground.

I'm more concerned over the stress on the 3 ph than the mower.

Sean

I think I'm going to join you (for the same reason). After all these years of never raising a rotating implement...kind of goes against my safety mentality.