Question for the Bush hoggers

[NCMau]

I have a old bush hog that is equipped with chain support instead of rigid brackets. My usage for this equipment is rare and the working range is limited to feet instead of miles. I removed the tail wheels because is easier to maneuver for an occasional small clearing in the woods.
My question is, would be better have rigid brackets or chains? I realize that chains would allow to follow an uneven ground but I am not so sure that it would be better for my situation especially with the tail wheels out.
What you think?

 

[shaeff]

With no tail wheel(s), theoretically, it won't matter because the tail wheel(s) are the only thing that touches the ground. No ground contact= no flexing with a chain attachment and no stress on a rigid one.

 

[teg]

...would be better have rigid brackets or chains?...

Either one is fine... as for "Rigid Brackets", they are not really rigid... they do allow free play in the system. The toplink will pivot around allowing movement.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wouldn't run MY rotary cutter without the tail wheel...

I can't see how that can be a good thing, as it lets the blades hit the ground easier...

SR

 

[Creamer]

I wouldn't run MY rotary cutter without the tail wheel...

I can't see how that can be a good thing, as it lets the blades hit the ground easier...

SR

Agreed- Using the blade as the first point of contact is not a recipe for long mower life. I know it happens but it is not a good thing.

 

[Zebrafive]

If you back up against a hill, no tail wheel will be a problem. Also same situation, a chain instead of a toplink could allow the PTO U-Joint angles to be more than design limit and bind?

 

[bcp]

I've seen cutters with skids on the sides instead of a tailwheel.

Bruce

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Every cutter I've ever owned has had skids on the side, all of them had tail wheels too...

SR

 

[Creamer]

I've seen cutters with skids on the sides instead of a tailwheel.

Bruce

Skids are not meant to be drug - they are there to hopefully keep it from digging too hard. If you drag them much they are gone quickly. A rolling object like a tail wheel and the tractor wheels are what are supposed to hold it. Pulltype units have wheels front and back.

 

[bcp]

These skids I mentioned were meant to be the only support. There was no provision for a tailwheel, and the skids were taller (lower?) and wider than the skids on a regular cutter.

There was a lot of homemade equipment on small farms in the 40's and 50's after welders became common. Those I saw may have been homemade.

Cutters were often tongue-pulled as 3pt hitches were rare. They had two wheels on the side or rear.

Here's the first image I found.




Bruce

 

[Creamer]

These skids I mentioned were meant to be the only support. There was no provision for a tailwheel, and the skids were taller (lower?) and wider than the skids on a regular cutter.

There was a lot of homemade equipment on small farms in the 40's and 50's after welders became common. Those I saw may have been homemade.

Cutters were often tongue-pulled as 3pt hitches were rare. They had two wheels on the side or rear.

Here's the first image I found.

View attachment 525893


Bruce

I stand corrected. I had not seen one like this.

 

[2458n]

1952 Ford mower as pictured. Has a triangle on the back supporting a tail wheel. The back flap was removed for better discharge. It was not used in town after the flap removal because of rock tossing.

 

[NCMau]

Thank you all for the sensible comments. Now I have enough to digest.
In another topic, this my vintage and probably modified machine. Even though I may not use this equipment frequently, I just painted it because I hate rusty brown.
I have no idea what brand this machine is. Not that makes too much difference, but out of curiosity, does anyone recognize the brand?

 

[texasranger556]

That's an odd critter, never seen one with the gearbox up so high. Does the red vertical tube turn or is there a shaft inside of it? What supports the blades?

The ones I've used typically mount the blade holder directly to the gearbox output shaft hence the questions.

Also make sure you're running a slip clutch with a splined gearbox input.

 

[LD1]

I personally wouldnt ever run without the tailwheels. They keep the cutter from bouncing at every little bump and flexing and stressing things. Those bumps and flexing and stressing cause a crappy and uneven cut.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Having no tail wheels is a common design in other countries.

 

[NCMau]

That's an odd critter, never seen one with the gearbox up so high. Does the red vertical tube turn or is there a shaft inside of it? What supports the blades?

The ones I've used typically mount the blade holder directly to the gearbox output shaft hence the questions.

Also make sure you're running a slip clutch with a splined gearbox input.

The shaft runs inside. I am not sure what support the blades, all I know the blades are attached to the dish which is attached to the shaft. Yes there is a slip clutch to the gear box input. This machine has evidence of farmarization, but it is a solid working machine, for my purpose anyway.
BTW for the sake of clarity, I do not do field work. Occasionally I clear a small vegetation area and the tail wheels would just get in the way.

P.S. Actually looking again at the design, I like the high gear box. While operating, it keeps the drive shaft parallel with the tractor PTO shaft (less stress, I think). I limit the 3PT lift to a small amount.

 

[T>D>C]

In the 80s we had a brush hog with a combination. Steel bars connected with chains approximately 24" long. Never had any issues with it. The rear wheel was an important part of the mower the way we used it. We wrapped chains around it to pull logs and other heavy stuff. The mower prevented the tractor from flipping over backward as well. During clean up and brush burning, we used it to shove logs and piles of brush. The wheel frame assembly took the punishment and not the less structured mowing deck. My Dad was old school. We never had a front end loader. That was a waste of money, and he had me for manual labor (I think)...I will never by a tractor without one or without 4 wheel drive.

 

[mark in portugal]

My 9' wide double axis cutter was originally skids only; I added tail wheels.

I sometimes remove the wheels, as the OP, for working in woods and rough ground. Mine hangs from rope at the rear, and [of course] the 3-point at the front; when on skids, I set the top link to tension the ropes and hold + - half the weight.

I use the wheels for "lawn" mowing.
We don't really have a lawn, more like 3 acres of close cropped weeds...

 

[ptsg]

Over here in Europe, it's very rare to see a mower with tail wheels. Unless it's a double or triple mower that really need wheels to support. Some brands will offer the tail wheel as an option but it is not the common. Most of them are also equipped with chain support instead of a rigid support. The skids on most of them are also height adjusted.
I think it's just another way of making things. The only con I see on the tail wheel, is just the risk of breaking it when backing against some higher/heavier brush. In the end, they all do the same job.

Here is a video of my mower working a little bit.