storing a rotary cutter vertically

[jrm21]

I have a 4ft rotary cutter that I use with my MF GC1705. The cutter is big, heavy and takes up quite a bit of room when not being used.

Have seen that some people store it vertically. Trying to figure out how to do this. I'm in the process of building a small barn and plan to use one or two stalls for storage of my gear and implements. Space is always at a premium and stacking or going vertical will really save some room.

Any ideas? I am guessing a chain lift would work.

Where/how to attach it to the cutter? Which end to lift it from? How to mount it from above to safely support the weight? Will vertical storage cause a problem with the grease/oil in the gearbox and, if so, how to avoid or correct for that?

Seems like it should be a simple concept. With the weight of the implement, I want to make sure I don't break the building or cutter, and certainly don't want to cause a safety problem.



Would love some ideas and suggestions.

 

[Thall303]

Good questions as I would like to do the same.

 

[bcp]

Dealers do it:





Folding mowers do it:

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't know how much head room that you have in your barn, but if you can lift it with your FEL (you do have an FEL don't you?), you could just lift it by the tail wheel and carry it to the back wall and let it down. For safeties sake, use something to secure it to the wall so it doesn't move after you unhook it.

 

[jrm21]

Yes, I have an FEL. Never thought of lifting the cutter with that.

So I would come around the back of the unit. Then "scoop" the FEL under the wheel, tilt and lift? The wheel and arm are strong enough to support the entire unit? It almost seems like the wheel would snap right off.

Just having trouble visualizing the process. I am pretty new to tractors in general so my imagination is very limited on ways to use the FEL. Could you spell it out for me in term a beginner could understand?

 

[devildog1]

No you would not scoop, use nylon strap or chain to secure it to you grab hooks on your bucket. Oh you don't have grab hooks, Ken who is on the forum can help with that. Or if you have a a set of forks for your fel if you have a ssqa attachment on your loader. it makes life easier.
DevilDog

Yes, I have an FEL. Never thought of lifting the cutter with that.

So I would come around the back of the unit. Then "scoop" the FEL under the wheel, tilt and lift? The wheel and arm are strong enough to support the entire unit? It almost seems like the wheel would snap right off.

Just having trouble visualizing the process. I am pretty new to tractors in general so my imagination is very limited on ways to use the FEL. Could you spell it out for me in term a beginner could understand?

 

[jrm21]

I have tow straps that could easily handle the weight. My bucket has a single tow hook.

Here is a pic of the cutter I have. Where do I loop the strap for lifting? Am I strapping to the rear wheel arm? Do I look through the bracket for that arm?

 

[countrybumpkin]

I'd flip the tail wheel and arm forward on top of the gear box then use a strap or chain on the two bolts in rear of the bracket to lift it by.

 

[kebo]

Yes, I have an FEL. Never thought of lifting the cutter with that.

You're new to tractors, aren't you? :laughing:

 

[jrm21]

You're new to tractors, aren't you? :laughing:

Beyond new. I'm at the stage where I'm just trying to not break anything - including myself.

 

[TMGT]

I have a 4ft cutter setting upright right now while I'm doing maintenance on the underside, just lifted the tailwheel with a chain on the loader, other then the pto shaft getting in the way it'll set pretty well on the 3pt frame. Just make sure to secure it too the wall well. Also don't forget to look at where the breather is for the gearbox, mine leaks oil if it's completely upright.

 

[Sysop]

All of the gearboxes I've seen (and paid any attention to) have the breather on top, but it is generally offset to one side or the other. Standing it on it's side, with the breather on "the high side" generally doesn't leak.

 

[TMGT]

The breather on mine is dead center of the top of the box, it's actually just a hole in the fill plug.

Now that the rain stopped maybe I can finally finish it and put it to use.

 

[RalphVa]

One thing that can happen is the oil from the gearbox could run out the breather hole at the top when stored vertically. I'd advise you to construct a dolly for the front of it out of 2x6 and six little STEEL castors to wheel it around on (concrete) when off the tractor. The thing is a beast if you just drop it and leave it, to get back on. Makes it easy then to wheel it around and stick it in a corner or way in the back somewhere. Or if in the way, just wheel it out of the way to get to what you need to.

Ralph

 

[kebo]

Beyond new. I'm at the stage where I'm just trying to not break anything - including myself.

That's cool! We were all new to tractors at some point. Some just got introduced at age 10, others like you and me a little bit older.

 

[jrm21]

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.

While not directly related to the original question, the answers did give me some ideas. Actually installed a woven wire fence this weekend. Used the hook on the FEL as an anchor point to stretch the fence. In moving fence posts, rolls of fence and a dozen other jobs around the property I got quite a bit of use out of the tractor. Only bought is last August, so this is the first real season of use (for tractor and myself). Suggestions here have definitely opened my thinking to some creative uses.

As to the cutter... lifting by the "tail" end would put the breather hole on the top. Having used the FEL hook on the fence, I am a little more confident the weld is good enough to lift the cutter. Am in the process of building a barn right now with a storage stall for equipment. Depending how things work out, I may try the dolly idea or the lift vertical idea.

Thanks again for the help.