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Adjusting the Tractor Top Link to Pull a Brush Hog
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- Опубликовано: 16 май 2018
- I get questions occasionally about how to set a tractor top link. Today I'll go over how to adjust the top link if you're hooking up a three point mounted rotary cutter, or brush hog.
The top link length is really important on certain implements. Anything that goes in the ground needs to have the top link properly adjusted. That includes box blades, plows, and tillers. Having the top link too long or too short can adversely affect how those implements work, and I'll cover that in a later video. The top link adjustment is less important on a cutter because it's not involved in carrying the machine across the ground. With a rotary cutter, you set your height with the lower link arms and the tail wheels, so the top link adjustment is not as critical.
When setting the brush hog, get out the owner's manual and see what they recommend. On the cutter in the video, the manual told me the blades are 1 inch above the skid plates. So, if I want to mow at 4 1/2" I need the skid plates 3 1/2" off the ground, then the cutter is going to ride on the tail wheels and the three point. The manual on this cutter tells me the top link needs to be adjusted so it engages when the lower link arms raise 2 1/2". I'm not sure how critical that is, what I did was tighten the top link until it was just starting to "catch" at the height I wanted and that seemed to be about right. So, when you're working in the field, the top link is just along for the ride, unless you pick up the machine, or back off a hill. When doing the latter, the top link will catch and keep the rear wheels from following the contours of the ground and possibly putting the PTO shaft in a bind, and hold it up until the tractor comes down the grade. So, it's important for the top link to be there, it's not as critical that it be adjusted a certain link to make the machine function.
In another future video I'll discuss setting tail wheels to get the correct height and rake for the cutter.
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Some tips for rear mount brush cutters.
For cutting grass set the implement mostly level.
For cutting brush, set the back end higher than the front. This will help direct the discharge out the back.
When purchasing a brush cutter get the one with the chain guards.
If you can't afford the chain guards, buy them anyway.
When using 3 point implements, always pick up the tool when doing sharp turns.
Very very helpful. I am a newbie who bought an old Ford 9n teaching myself the ropes. Thankyou for your channel
Mike- Great job in explaining stuff for someone like me , who is very new to this ... God know how many times your instructional videos saved my bacon!! Thank you.
Just Bought a Sub Compact Tractor. Know nothing about tractors. Tractor Mike has saved me! These videos are addictive. Great information. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.
Thanks Mike
I'm a new owner of a older kabota tractor
Just setting up my snow blower on my 3 point in Northern 🇨🇦
I'd like to do it right lol
Feel confident I am
We always used a chain for the top link when using the hog.
Hi Mike as the new John Deere 38 hp tractor owner I sometimes have a little trouble when I’m unhooking my 65 inch rotor tiller and any videos or a place called unhooking and hooking up these implements is truly appreciated thank you very much Cris
That was one of my very first videos. Here, in all it's graininess and poor, shaky camera work, is how to hook up a tiller: ruclips.net/video/bSatF4QoqmI/видео.html. It ain't easy! Here may be a solution, available on my website: ruclips.net/video/6Rsdr-wz4f4/видео.html.
For those with a mower like mine. My J.D. rotary cutter has a traveling link that I have to center in its track using the top link. This allows the mower to follow the contours of the land for an even cut before the top link can come into play. It took me a while to understand what it was doing but once understood real simple to set up.
On flat ground you are right to say your top link is along for the ride. In a not so flat area your top arm is somewhat crucial, holding up your cutter while backing down a serious grade when the grade drops three feet. It also helps keep the mower from pitching upwards to abruptly when making the transition to an inclined bank. My implement has a pivoting arm about four inches long which allows the transition to be more subtle.
Hey Mike the top link mattered ALLOT on my tractor/bush hog! I know you mentioned it needs to allow travel; here is some more detail what I saw. First I have a 48'King Kutter/RK24 combo, the mower has hinge between top link and deck of mower to allow travel to contour of the ground. I found if it was too short raising the mower lifted the wheel. If I made it longer it leveled out the mower deck in accordance with back wheel. So too short lifts entire mower and longer can adjust the cut level on front of mower.
Very nice Um looking for a bush hog right now And come across ur videos. And u answered my questions. And. Plenty of good advice
As a fairly new tractor owner, this is a topic I've wondered about. Thanks for the great information.
Old hand taught me to throw the solid top link to the side and use chain for top link. Your bush hog will float with the terrain and less wear and tear.
That old hand knew what he was talking about. A solid top link will either lift the brush hog too high when going over the top of a hill, or it will lift the tractor wheels off the ground when going through a depression. A solid top link makes the tractor and brush hog solid like a board from front wheel to back guide wheel. Ground is not always flat. You need flex in the middle with either a hinged link or a chain. Get your tractor stuck in a low crossing one time and you will throw your top link away whenever brush hogging!
Yep
The only issue with this is that it puts your PTO in danger as the angle of the PTO shaft/PTO can become extreme and put significant wear on the system.
I sure do love that Massey Ferguson! Bush Hog and Massey Ferguson is the perfect combination money can buy.
Finally. Someone than knows tractors and can explain 'that' to watchers. Liked that you used a tape measure. Does a 'top link' shrink? After 12 years switching from Bush Hog to tiller it no longer reaches the span. "no longer" is not a pun.
I have a heavy duty bush hog attached to one of my tractors and keep it on that tractor since it is easier to do that than remove it when I want to use something else and then hook it back up. I noticed when I got my equipment that the weight of the bush hog was on the lower control arms even though the real wheel on the unit stays on the ground when mowing. I don't have a cutter like the one you are talking about, but can understand how all that weight would affect the unit performance.
Half the time when I'm busy hogging I don't even hook up my top link. I know my area, I know the ground and there's nothing that I have to raise the entire hog off the ground to clear. So I only raise it slightly at the end of a cut run just enough to keep the skids from gouging in the turn then it's back down and continue.
Thanks for your videos Mike-
Russ
Lithia, FL.
That is called letting your brush hog float. As you go over a hill, the top link will hang on to the cutter and not let it drop and you will have an uncut part of the field. To avoid this people will remove the top link. Without a top link, If your hill is too steep, your brush hog will pull the gear box so low that the shaft touches the front edge of the brush hog and could bend. That is why you only remove the top link when mowing a field you are familiar with as you stated about your area. You have to attach the top link to lift it up for transport when ready to go home.
I have a king cutter from Atwoods.. I know it's a inexpensive model but it has a rotating top link attachment point and I hate it .. when the mower drops off a ledge the top link will pivot down and get jammed up causing the mower to ride higher then I want it to so I just use the top link in transporting it .. so glad that I see other people doing the same
if you install front rollers on your brush hog you can lower the brush hog all the way down and wont have to deal
with cutting height adjustment. the wheels will determine the cutting height.
the top link is a safety device which when adjusted properly will keep the tractor from rearing up and getting hurt or killed. the top link draft control spring must be adjusted properly. Harry Ferguson saved countless lives since he invented the three point hitch which is still used today from his original design. when using any implement it is important to use this safety device. not just
ground engaging equipment because any implement can become stuck or hung up and the draft control spring will keep the tractor from rearing up or at least give you time to push in the clutch. i am surprised how many people don't understand how this works but have been using tractors for decades.
So... What you're saying is it works like a wheelie bar on a dragster. Cool I can relate to that.
I see your using Pat's Quick Hitch. I do as well. I had to replace my top link with a longer one to make up the difference in arm length. Except for my blade which works better with the shorter, original link. My point is that with my cutter, I leave the link longer so it doesn't lift the cutter if I go over a quick roll and leave an area uncut. I also have to watch it isn't too long and bends the link if the back of the cutter goes too far down. Excellent video! I love them all!
My family's IH 240 has a two-prong hitch for plough, mower, etc. Easy to back into and connect an implement - but let's face it, ALL hitching is better when a second person is there!
Funny my Kubota owners manual says the opposite, lowest hole is for ground in gauging attachments and the top hole is for a mower or bunch hog.
Funny enough for my old JD 2020 I used a chain as a top link. When using the top link the overall length and making sure the two screw ends are equal.
If the top link is not adjusted long enough, as the tractor drives over a knoll and the front wheels track lower than the rear, the cutter will rise leaving a swath of uncut material. Likewise, if the top link is adjusted too long under the same circumstance you will scalp the ground. For an optimum cut I think proper top link adjustment is paramount.
Thank you. Watching from south of France. Recently bought compact tractor with some kit, inc topper mower ( brush hog?!). Does not have the tail wheels ( just a four foot machine); found your opinion in this video helpful, thank you. Catching up on your posts and usually have a dose of Tractor Mike first thing in the morning with my morning coffee!
I have one of those cheap king kutters and it has a travel link that will over rotate and get bound up and keep the mower about a foot off the ground so most of the time I carefully mow with the top link off
This video helped me tremendously! Thank you!
MIKE / THE LOWER YOU PUT THE FRONT OF THE TOP LINK THE HIGHER THE REAR OF THE ROTARY CUTTER WILL RAISE
Mike, good explanation as always! Thanks for the instruction. Z
That is great information to know, and especially about the three holes for the top link, but mine only have one hole on both tractors so that is one problem I don't have to worry about.
Excellent advice thank you 👌🏼
Used a large chain for third link for year's, It let the bush hog flex when going over a depression .
Great info Mike, thanks for sharing.
Mike, Most Australian Slashers don't have a tail wheel and actually sit on the skids when cutting. My old slasher had chains running from the top link to the rear of the slasher to allow it to float on uneven ground, It also had chains that do the cutting instead of blades.
Wow! I knew they probably had to be much different. If I ever get rich doing free videos it's on my bucket list to travel around the world, especially to Australia, and observe the differences in equipment. I like the name "Slasher" better than "Brush Hog" because it seems to be more descriptive. People in my circle of friends that I've told what rotary cutters are called in Australia have started calling them "Slashers" for that reason. I'd be fascinated to see what a chain cut looks like and how it must just destroy undesirable woody plants.
My tail wheel digs into the ground when turning and backing up. Wheel wont spin freely if you know what I mean. Ford 8N with a king kutter brush hog. It may be a function of this old tractor and not correctable? Thank you. I learn alot from your videos.
Mike very good videos and others too, I have a Kubota b2650 and I have different attachments but my Factory OME top link seem to be small are to short for my Rotary Cutter I have adjusted the tail whell and I'm still have the front of the cutter lower than the back, so can I put a aftermarket top link Cat 1 that is alittle longer than the OME to get the Rotary cutter to sit evenly...
Mike, good video. I have a request for a future video if you could discuss or cover the following topics: 1.) When in the market for buying a used tractor, are the hours of usage displayed on the instrument panel something you can trust, or is it something that can it be tampered with? 2.) If you purchase a tractor in another state from where you will be using it, what's involved in licensing as far as the paperwork is concerned. Is it like buying a car where you pay vehicle and registration fees? Do states have different laws regarding ownership and registration?
Hi Mike, I have a question for you. I found my pin to my PTO shaft completely disintegrated along with the spring, tried going to Tractor Supply but the two pins they sold me is either too big or too small. I think their name brand is Weasler or weasal, not sure. How Can I find out what size pin and spring I need ?? thanks, Ken
A pull type brush-hog is so much better! Doesn't scalp or leave high spots like the 3 point hitch types! And the title you give your cutter doesn't matter.
I have a ford 8n tractor and the bushhog I purchased is a 4ft john deere. Nice bushhog but it has two rotating arm on it where u fasten the top and it rotates from top to bottom what should I do.
After two years at the dealer in Ocala Fl I finally got the tractor back, however I ran the tractor with the bush hog and it seems that it couldn’t hold its rpm’s. It would fluctuate from 5 all the way to 30 I noticed it needed some radiator fluid so I filled it up. Do you think it was overheating that causes the low power?
Thank you so much for your thoughts 💭!
Very helpful Mike. Thanks.
Great information! Thanks!
Great video great help thank you
Very informative videos in general, thank you! In this video you mention a follow up where correctly setting the toplink is essential. Couldn't find that, has it been produced?
Hi Mike
I have Pat’s quick hitch on both my Kubota tractors but the down side is they make the arms longer so sometimes I find my top link is too short
Michael
My problem is they often hit up against the tongue of implements being pulled by the draw bar (baler, haybine etc)
I had a pin come out of one of the lower arms on my Kubota. i put the pin back in the slot where it came out and then when i tried to engage the brush hog it shakes violently and pitches violently. What did i do wrong?
Awesome stuff, thanks Mike!
If I set my mower too low, the front skids tear up the ground. If I set it too high, it doesn't cut the grass. What should I do?
When I mow with a 7’ Enorossi sickle bar mower, my toplink works loose and the mower cants rearward. Any suggestions on how to keep the toplink from coming loose? Thank you, Mike.
How do you keep both sides of the bushhog skid plays three and inches off the ground
Brush hog is interesting terminology. Similar to a comb cow?
As a boy and in the mountains of east Tennessee I often seen men " bush hogging" with a section of chain in place of the toplink. When I asked why I man told me, without explanation, common in that area- " keeps the wheels from bending, and the bars". Do you have any idea what he is talking about.
Hey tractor Mike I've always loved your videos I was just thinking about one you've not done so I was thinking about a comparison between a mower that you pull with a dry bar and a mower that is a three-point mount because I was actually thinking about getting a larger brush hog that does not come in three-point they're normally only dry bar hookups
The pull-type mower will be easier to hook up, but less maneuverable, especially if you back up a lot. I grew up with a pull-type, they're probably a bit less stress on the tractor hydraulics since the weight is not on the lower links. I'd be happy with either one.
Mike you didn't mention but another issue with a top link on a rotary cutter is this
When the back wheels of the tractor drops in a low place or going through a dip in the ground. With the cutter picked all the way up it can hit down back at the wheels and hang up the tractor. So instead of a solid top link or adjustable one i always prefer to use a short piece of chain. You can still lift the implement properly but if it hits down in the back the chain offers enough give to not hang the tractor.
The chain handles the more moderate undulations well (as can no link) but on ditches, the pto shaft can get bent. The rigid top link can protect against that.
Mike, do you run the risk of bending your PTO shaft mowing downhill, like the backside of a Pond Dam, when you get to the bottom and the tractor levels out but the Brush Hog is still angled up the hill?
OH YES!!! if you have a sharp change in grade at the bottom, you can kill a PTO shaft quickly. Any where there's a huge dip your PTO is in danger.
I have a swivel/pivot attachment on the top link of my bush hog . 6 foot bush hog . Can I weld it to be stationary and not a pivot type ?
Mike. I got the same Pats quick hitches that you have. Will I need a PTO extension? My rotary drive line clicks in place on the Pto as it should but I wonder if I have enough up&down play in the cutters driveline. Thnx
Mort, hard to say, none of my attachments needed an extension, but it depends on what the manufacturer recommends for overlap and how much extra you have. It would be best to mark where the PTO halves come together on the outside, then pull the shaft off and see how much overlap is there. That'll tell you if you need an extension.
My front of my brush hog is too high how do I adjust it thanks
I use a short piece of log chain. It gives you more flexibility.
Thanks I'll check it out
Thank you
New tractor owner and am glad I found you. We just got a Mahindra 1626 and added on a Mahindra brand model #1205 rotary cutter. Also came with a box blade and scraper. I asked for and was told by my dealer that this and other items I purchased did not come with owners manuals. Seems odd to me. Any suggestions on where to get them or who the actual manufacturer is?
Love the channel and have learned a lot.
Thanks, Charles
Charles, those attachments are likely made by Paladin/Kodiak. I checked with my local Mahindra dealer, he says many come with an owner's manual, but he looked for a part number for them and didn't come up with anything. You might contact Paladin: www.paladinattachments.com/products/product-finder. Good luck!
My tractor doesn't have a PTO stop bracket for the 3 point lift, what a pain!
Use your top link to set the height. Lenghten to raise front of mower and shorten to lower. Dont worry about what he says about carrying the weight on lower arms.
Mike-I also use the Pat's EZ change hooks on my tractor resulting in the need for longer PTO shafts and top link. My current top link has a max extension of 32" which is still a bit short when using a couple of my implements ...as this seems to be the max offered for a cat 1, does anyone offer something to extend it? Thanks for all of your helpful videos..,Brent
Brent, most equipment dealers/farm supply stores offer replacement top links in varying lengths, I have one for my 40 hp tractor that I use when the OEM one is too short and the main body on it is 20" long while the factory one I normally use is only 16". I think if you had a 20" barrel you'd be able to add a few inches on to what you're using now. I'm not sure if anyone makes longer threaded links, if you find those, remember, one is reverse threaded. Next time I'm getting parts at my local dealership I'll look to see if they have those.
Hello Mr. Mike. Just bought a new 2020 Kubota MX5400. 4 wheel drive, HST, Is there a Sequence for changing gears and neutral? Mine sometimes Scrubs and I know that's not good. Read all manuals. Less than 30 hours. Dealer is a Friend and don't want to sound like an Idiot b4 I call him when it's probably something simple I'm not doing Right. Thank you.
It's best to leave it off if you're mowing a field that is wavey so the bush hog doesn't go up and down.
My method is to cut the top steel rod from the tower to the deck and replace with 1 or 2 links of chain in the middle. This allows you to run a top link but allows the tail to rise and fall enough to mow a undulating field. Many have the top bar on the mower as 1 or maybe a 2 piece flat steel linkage. But it needs about 2 or 4 links of chain to let you let out the top enough to glue over a hill. Bottom links set ride height top just lifts tail.
I used a chain in place of the top link still allows me.to.lift when i need or want to but lets the brush hog follow the contour of the ground better!! I also built some.brackets and added chains at the height stops so.the weight isn't hanging on my lower lift arms solely therefore constantly keeping a load on the pump and lift mechanism and by doing it that way i can lift as normal and when mowing i just drop the arms so no pressure is on them but rather the chains something I learned from an old timer for my 1940 9n!! Would probably use it even on.a.newer tractor n brush hog setup
Why did you use the example of backing off a hill. It may be nothing but I wondered why you wouldn't pull off the hill forward. Secondly I can't find a crank style link adjuster to fit my 3032e. Do I have to break out a wrench each time I use my box blade to cut around my garden and again to level my driveway or do you know of another option for me?
You could pull off the hill forward. I have a big drop west of my house where I back over and cut the weeds that are in sight of the house doing it the way I described. When they get high enough and start bugging me I'll knock all of them on the whole slope down and I usually do it the way you describe, keeping the tractor at the bottom and pushing the brush hog up to the crest.
I don't know of a crank adjuster for your Deere. Why all the tractor companies don't make them an option that you can buy later is beyond me, but I've never seen it. I'll check with my local Deere expert and see if he knows of anything and if he does I'll let you know. You might try A&I. They're a parts company that supplies aftermarket parts for all brands, and they're actually owned by Deere. They might have something like that and their website is fairly easy to navigate. Good luck!
This type of machine needs a floating 3point. Chain or link-plate.
How do you know the length of your drive shaft on a bush hog
How did you adjust the mower deck to 3 and a half inches before you installed the top link?
With the quadrant lift control on the left of the seat. When he was talking about adjusting the stop.
Thank you!!!!!
Mike tell me what those pieces are on the lift arms. Looks like a nice easy hook up.
That's Pat's Easy Change, available at my web store here: asktractormike.com/products-for-sale/. They make hooking up an implement a whole lot easier!
when I raise my ath 600 finishing mower up it's not level, it's greatly slanted down in the front, is this OK, what adjustments makes it level when I pick it up
Why do you want it to be level when you pick it up? It only needs to be level when you are mowing.
Don't use the top link on my bush hog, it becomes an issue when going through small depressions in the field. Actually broke by back wheel assembly once. It was the first to give when the tractor and bush could not pivot.
Do you have any experience with a tractor equipped with top and tilt? A walk through with one of those setups on a box blade or something like that would make a good video. Keep up the good work.
Mike, can you do me a favor and confirm that you have not misspoken at about the 3 minute mark. All the research I have done says that the top hole is for implements that are not ground engaging (a bush hog, for instance). The center hole is for light ground work. The bottom hole for heavy ground work (like box blade, landplane, plow). This is the opposite of what you state on this video, so now I am confused!
I thought the exact same thing and picked up on that as soon as Mike mentioned it. I think he has it exactly backwards. Still enjoyed the video
@@M35a2guy read up on Harry Ferguson and his three point hitch draft control. Harry was a very intelligent man. built the first airplane to fly in ireland. invented the double wishbone front suspension for cars. built the first 4 wheel drive car.
@@M35a2guy I agree with you,
Why does my brush hog rear wheel dig into the ground so much? It’s almost like a plow!
Colt, it's possibly adjusted too low. I have a video coming out soon (maybe next week) on how to set tail wheels. The brush hog I'll be showing had the wheels set too high, they were off the ground at the desired mowing height. If the tail wheel were too low it could dig in. Also, if the bearing inside has failed or it needs grease, it may plow when you turn because it can't swivel. That could also be the problem.
Tractor Mike Thank you sir.
On your patreon page. What is monthly tractor mike hangouts?
It's where we get together on line for live interaction. You're on camera so I can see you and so can others (unless you're on a phone or turn it off, not everyone likes to be seen). You can ask any question you want and we can cover any topic that's giving you issues. Anything I don't know I'll find out and get back with you.
Top link should not be supporting the deck when you go through a dip. The drive shaft is designed to flex. Not a good idea for the deck to hold the back end of the tractor off the ground. It should hinge.
I believe the lift arms will raise - there is no downward force on them (try it with no implement - set it midway on the quadrant and raise by hand). The 3-pt will not hold the back end up unless the lift arms are fully raised to the point all travel is used. And then, yes, that’s a bad thing.
I can't get my brush hog to raise off the ground.
Here's a video on that: ruclips.net/video/XpYO5oxRD3Q/видео.html.
Hey Mike, I have no sound!
That happens from time to time on RUclips and I don't know why. I had one viewer swear I was posting all of my videos with no sound, but everyone else could hear fine. A couple of days went by and his sound worked. It's not your computer and its not my video, its something with RUclips. I apologize, maybe try again in a couple of days and it'll be good.
Thanks for the quick response! IT WORKS NOW.
Great to hear your voice again😂
Taking a bale spear off
And keep it greased.
Would’ve been nice if you would’ve talked about connecting the brush hog controlling the sway left and right as well as the up-and-down. Waste of time