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.

SUPPORT THE TRACTOR MIKE CHANNEL:   / tractormike  
Visit the Tractor Mike website: http://asktractormike.com/
Subscribe to YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/tractormi...
Visit Facebook Page:   / asktractormike312112962245304  
Buy Stuff I Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/tractormike

Copyright 2018 Tractor Mike LLC