More newbie questions all in one place

[SgtSluggo]

So I have a 4-5 hours bush hogging on the tractor now and I've come up with several questions.

1st. I have a very short stretch of road between where the tractor is stored and where I am working with it. Maybe 1/4 mile at most. I'd like to be able to get the tractor up to a good speed on the road, but if I choose a higher gear and enough throttle to keep it from stalling, then I inevitably pop a bit of a wheelie when I get started. I'd rather not do this and I assume the solution is front weights. My 1700 has no front weights with it and no FEL. Is there a good way to get universal (or replacement) suitcase weights for the front, or is there a DIY solution that is easy/cheap to set up? Any recommendation on how much weight to start?

2nd. Our bush hog (a Big Bee Agri-Five) did not come with a PTO shield. I would rather have one for safety sake but trying to figure out which one to order is a little confusing. Are there aftermarket shields that you folks recommend and can you help me figure out how to pick the right size?

3rd. I am struggling to set up my bush hog correctly. If I set everything like I think it is supposed to be, then in order to get the toplink to have a little play (there is no u-joint) then it only two or three turns away from coming apart (it did this on me the first day I was out). If I tighten it up then it is pulling on the back end so much it is hard to get the wheel down without the front being too low. I was considering replacing the toplink with a heavy duty chain that was slightly longer than the the toplink. I was wondering what others thought of this idea.

Thanks for the help!

 

[bearthebruce]

1st. I have a very short stretch of road between where the tractor is stored and where I am working .... If I choose a higher gear and enough throttle to keep it from stalling, then I inevitably pop a bit of a wheelie when I get started.

Yes, you need front weight. But, pop a wheelie? You mean you cannot put it into gear gently? It lurches on start up? That don't sound right to me.

2nd. Our bush hog (a Big Bee Agri-Five) did not come with a PTO shield.

Yeah, I would find one... can't recommend one as I don't know your gear. You don't want to have something dropping down on it and pulling you into it.

3rd. .... If I set everything like I think it is supposed to be, then in order to get the toplink to have a little play (there is no u-joint) then it only two or three turns away from coming apart. If I tighten it up then it is pulling on the back end so much it is hard to get the wheel down without the front being too low. I was considering replacing the toplink with a heavy duty chain that was slightly longer than the the toplink. I was wondering what others thought of this idea.

Sounds like you need a longer top link. They come in different lengths. They are not too expensive. Buy a longer CAT 1 top link and give that a go.

 

[old and tired]

Photos of your mower would help a bunch... also, location in your profile helps us, help you. After market Pto shields are sold just about everywhere. I don't hook up the top link to my mower. Usually, lifting the 3 point arms and riding the rear wheel gets me over rocks that I know about. You can replace the toplink with a chain if you need to lift the mower...

 

[SgtSluggo]

Yes, you need front weight. But, pop a wheelie? You mean you cannot put it into gear gently? It lurches on start up? That don't sound right to me.

Yeah, feels like if I am in Range 4, no matter how slowly I engage the clutch, it lurches enough to pick up the front wheels a bit. If I lower the throttle anymore than I am, it stalls.

Yeah, I would find one... can't recommend one as I don't know your gear. You don't want to have something dropping down on it and pulling you into it.

Sounds like you need a longer top link. They come in different lengths. They are not too expensive. Buy a longer CAT 1 top link and give that a go.

Thanks, I see what I can find

 

[SgtSluggo]

Photos of your mower would help a bunch... also, location in your profile helps us, help you. After market Pto shields are sold just about everywhere. I don't hook up the top link to my mower. Usually, lifting the 3 point arms and riding the rear wheel gets me over rocks that I know about. You can replace the toplink with a chain if you need to lift the mower...

I'll try to take some photos when I am out there next. This one is like mine, except mine has the tailwheel installed the right way round (and has not pto shield)

 

[bearthebruce]

Yeah, feels like if I am in Range 4, no matter how slowly I engage the clutch, it lurches enough to pick up the front wheels a bit. If I lower the throttle anymore than I am, it stalls.

From what I see, it is a pretty light machine. How heavy is the brush hog?

I know on my Massey, the 650lb 5' wide hog is enough to make the front end light. In my high range, I can start out and run because I have a foot throttle as well as a hand throttle. I can drive it like one would a car or truck on engagement. I like that on the Massey. Seems you only have the fixed throttle and have to slip the clutch to get er moving.

We added a FEL as front weight - wanted the loader for lots of other reasons but one was for the balancing of the hog. Made life a whole lot nicer.

I saw a photo of your tractor with suitcase weights hanging on a bar out front. Maybe that is a solution for you.

 

[SgtSluggo]

From what I see, it is a pretty light machine. How heavy is the brush hog?

I know on my Massey, the 650lb 5' wide hog is enough to make the front end light. In my high range, I can start out and run because I have a foot throttle as well as a hand throttle. I can drive it like one would a car or truck on engagement. I like that on the Massey. Seems you only have the fixed throttle and have to slip the clutch to get er moving.

We added a FEL as front weight - wanted the loader for lots of other reasons but one was for the balancing of the hog. Made life a whole lot nicer.

I saw a photo of your tractor with suitcase weights hanging on a bar out front. Maybe that is a solution for you.

From what I can find, the brush hog is about 450lbs. I have the bar out there, just no weights. I've tried to find replacement ones, but they seem to be hard to come by.

 

[JethroB]

The weights don’t have to be a perfect fit as long as they will hang on the bar without bouncing off. 100 lbs should be a good start. I have three 75# weights for my MF 135 we needed when pulling a rollover bottom plow. I got good at steering & turning with the wheel brakes.

 

[Avenger]

Thats a 12-speed gear tractor, right? Can you start out in low RPM and rev up the engine as you start to move? Maybe shift it like a truck from a lower gear?

As for the PTO shaft, you might consider finding a complete replacement shaft all together, if your budget will allow. The new ones come with the proper cover and new U-Joints!

As for the top link, I'd need to see pictures of the 3-point hooked up to the mower. Maybe it's too short, maybe not. Is the front of your mower digging into the ground? How level is the deck when you're at your cutting height? Does your mower have a tail wheel?

 

[Beeenvenue]

Search for BARECO as a pto shield. They have a great design for being able to easily grease the u joints (biggest problem with a pto shaft cover!).
Consider a hydraulic top link. They are fabulous but of course you need rear remote, hose, and top link. Otherwise just buy a longer one at TSC etc.