Brush cutting

[Karlinshiloh]

I have a TO 30 that I would like to do some brush cutting with. I have a 5 ft brush hog and the problem I've had in the past is not being able to control the height of the brush hog. It either goes all the way to the ground or wants to creep up, no real in between. My question is can I run a chain around the lower lift arms then down to the draw bar so it won't be possible for the arms to creep up? I want to make sure that this won't damage anything in the hydralic system. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Jeff-oh]

There are two ways to handle this. The Marlowe Method or chains.

With chains you basicaly remove the toplink and hang the mower from the toplink pin.

The Marlowe Method is to set the system up from the start.

Marlowe is one of the contributers here. He is credited with publishing the method to set up a bush hog/flail mower/ slasher with the ferguson system.

From way back in 2004, here is his post (with a little editing)

From Marlowe
I have sold and serviced hogs for years and see this all the time.

PLEASE don't take this wrong but it's a real common mistake that they are not beening mounted right.

I know what your thinking how hard is it to put a hog on a tractor and go cut some grass? but!! your hog has a tail wheel right? your tractor has 2 lower lift arms right? set your hog on 4x4's so it is level, then lower your tail wheel so it's on the ground. Now put your tractor on but[[[[ DON'T]]] hook up the PTO. With the tractor running put the 3pt. control lever in the middle of the range and turn your top link so it will get longer and you will feel you 3pt. raise just a little and stop but then when you make the top link a little longer it will raise a little more, that because the control piston under the set is being pushed in and that makes your 3pt. lift untill the pressure is released. With a little fine tuning and a little setting of the tail wheel up or down for the height of cut you want your hog will cut at the height you want. if you have ANY questions call me i will help you set it right ... ... your hog should not be hanging on the tractor when your cutting but rideing on the tail wheel and the 3pt. at a set height and that is controled by your top link. good luck and if you need help call

 

[Xwild]

I've been interested in trying the Marlowe method, but I assume that you need a non-pivoting 3-pt frame on the bush-hog for this to work, correct? Mine has a frame that is pinned at the bottom, and has a chain going from the top back to near the tail wheel. So I don't think this will work for me, without a small modification.

 

[Stephen Atkins]

And dont forget the ORC if you dont have one.

steveormary

 

[Jeff-oh]

That is correct you need a non-pivitong top link attach point.

The idea is to use the draft control to control height.

 

[Anonymous-0]

hey jeff this sounds like it is related to my problem. i sure would like to call you and discuss this if i had your phone #. thanks terry

 

[Karlinshiloh]

Thanks for all the help folks. great advice

 

[ROGER A. BROWN]

I have a TO20 and had problems keeping the mover deck at an even level due to a slow leak in the hydros. My solution was to buy two turnbuckles at the hardware store, hook on one end, eye on the other, and chain them to the lower lifting arms. With the turnbuckles, I am able to control and adjust the height and not worry about drift or slippage. The TO20 has a couple of sturdy holes just below the top link that I used for the hook end of the turnbuckles.