Rotary Cutter Woods Brush Hog on MF231 - I keep bending the support bars

[badski78]

As you can see in the pictures, the support bars are bent. You'll also notice that the brush hog is tracking to the left side of the tractor. Not sure what I'm doing wrong here? Do I need to tighten up the top link or the side chains? Unfortunately I forgot the Woods BH owner manual which had a drawing and instructions on setup, but it showed the top link somewhat loose which is how I have it (see pics). Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

 

[Ed of all trades]

looks like you are going through some pretty good dips. I would just cut out about a foot from the center of each support bar and drill a hole in the ends and bolt a piece of chain in place of the piece you cut out. with the end bolts loose a little that will give you the flex for the dips and will still hold up the B H if the 3PH is lifted. tighten the turnbuckle on right lift arm to adjust tracking to right. might have to loosen left one. good luck & God bless.

 

[bucktaker]

My ft International Mfg 6 ft rotary mower is doing the same thing. Once the metal is bent its hard to stop it. Replace both side with thicker bars and maybe add a cross piece to add strength. Replaced the bars with chains. Most likelly slow down when you are turning, that is what has bent mine.

 

[badski78]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I've heard people say to pick up the BH when making a turn.
I normally leave it down and make wide sweeping turns. Not sure if that's causing issues too?

I definitely don’t have a lot of flat land on my acreage. But I do have a lot of fun with the bears.

 

[bullbreaker]

I definitely don稚 have a lot of flat land on my acreage. But I do have a lot of fun with the bears.
View attachment 271144 View attachment 271145 View attachment 271146

Badski cool pics.
Welcome to TBN !
Watch out for those BEARS.

 

[LD1]

It appears as though your toplink is set-up wrong. The way you have it, it will allow the tailwheel to go down a bunch on un-even terrain, but not up much. The tailwheel needs to come up if backing up a hill, or starting up a hill at the bottom (when the tractor is on the incline and the cutter is still on the flat).

With the terrain you have, I would suggest totally getting rid of those straps and in their place put chains. The swinging toplink you have just inst giving you enough travel range IMO.
The only other option is to re-enforce the straps. Because when the tailwheel tries to raise (in situations mentioned above) those straps are trying to force the WHOLE cutter to raise, and they just arent heavy enough to do that under compression load.

 

[soulasphil]

There's no way it can work with a rigid link between tractor and cutter. You must allow the back of the cutter to go up and down as the terrain requires. If it's rigid, it's bound to bend or break. I personally use chains and there is also an adjustment on the lift arms to allow some mobility.

 

[badski78]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
I think I'll look into some chains
Those are some serious chains on your JD

 

[Steave]

Just tighten your top link until it starts to lift the rear of the mower. That will allow the swivel to operate letting the rear of the mower ride up when it needs to. The swivel in your picture is laying against the parts of your mower, it needs to be straight with your top link not allowing the back of the mower to drop unless you lower it with the 3PH.

 

[LD1]

Just tighten your top link until it starts to lift the rear of the mower. That will allow the swivel to operate letting the rear of the mower ride up when it needs to. The swivel in your picture is laying against the parts of your mower, it needs to be straight with your top link not allowing the back of the mower to drop unless you lower it with the 3PH.

That will work if the tailwheel is trying to raise. But if it try to lower (which it does just as often as it tries to raise), the whole cutter will raise and you will get an un-even cut. There just isnt enough movement in them swinging toplinks to perform satisfactorily both ways. Chains are the only way to go on rolling terrain for a good even cut:thumbsup: