Go Bottomattaching a rotary cutter
 | bob
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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1999-07-18 6073
In my search for a used tractor I have found many tractors, both compacts and small ag tractors being sold with a rotary cutter which is frequently in pretty rough shape. I have seen these cutters attached in many various configurations with and without chains, straps, cables and most look to be fairly dangerous and unstable. The most frequent method of attachment is with a three point hitch but in a way that when the arms are raised only the front comes up very and the shaft can easily hit the leading edge of the mower usually resulting in the plastic shaft cover being cut.Is there a definitive safe and reliable method of attaching a rotary cutter? I would think that whole cutter should raise somewhat parallel to the ground.Thanks for the patience with the newbie question but I thought it would be better to ask now than learn by trial and error with such a potentially dangerous implement!bob
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| Mike
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1999-07-18 6074
Never had a clearance problem with the shaft. I have a JD 870 with a woods 5' rotary. I attached it according to instructions to my 3-point. It raises the unit in a way the the shaft has plenty of room to clear the unit. The back of the cutter comes of even with the front to advoid hitting anything. ....
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| Steve Hansen
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1999-07-18 6082
Bob,Your tractor should have limits on the lift control. When you are setting up you should adjust the bottom stom so that your mower has the right front attitude, about 1" lower than the rear. Then you should lift the deck to the appropriate travel level, say 18" to 24", and adjust the top stop. Some people put use a "flexable top link" or chain to ensure that the deck can pivot up in the rear when traversing depressions. This is not a safe practice. Most of the newer decks have provisions for som 'flex" built in. If you buy an older deck and it does not have a slotted top link attachment point (a la Howse) or a short length of chain in the strut(s) that run from the top of the "A" frame to the rear of the deck you should take it to a welder/fabricator familiar with farm equipment. The key components in a rotary cutter (gear box, etc.) can last for years. Decks can take a beating. Most damage can be pounded out or fixed with some weld. Just because a cutter has some dings and faded (or no) paint does not mean anything about its ability to cut. Incidentally, some older tractors have been fitted with chains that run from the vicinity of the upper link mount to the ends of the lower lift links. This ensures that the cutting heighth of the deck does not drop in service as a result of leaking hydraulics. Not required on newer rigs. ....
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