Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs
Mounting a Tractor Hedge Flail
awemawson:
Got the control standard re-fitted - set it pointing sideways, not into the cab, for testing - enough to do getting the tractor accurately lined up and onto the 'jaws' It'll be far easier next time as the legs will have it set at the correct height. I ended up using a 'come along' where the top link goes, and pulled the tractor and flail together while jacking under the spars to get the height right. All good fun.
The objective today was to get it mounted and prove that it didn't twist too much. I've not yet filled the big 25 gallon hydraulic tank on the flail, as I'm still waiting for a bung. Worth pointing out that there are two entirely separate hydraulic systems:
A: the big PTO powered pump, the 25 gallon tank, and the 24 horse power motor that spins the flail itself
B: The tractor hydraulics that power the three double acting control pistons that articulate the flail head into position for cutting.
So I was able to prove out the articulation, but not yet spin the flail
awemawson:
As you can see in the pictures there is remarkably little twist, and this is without the counter balance weight and tank full of oil (that is offset as a counterbalance)
I don't have the correct weights, but have some with a very similar fitting designed to go onto a narrower mounting bar. They sort of fit but would bounce off if the going got rough.
I thought I'd fit them and try it at full stretch and see what happens.
awemawson:
Still remarkably little twist, which is a big relief all round :ddb:
Still have to:
A/ Fill up the 25 gallon tank
B/ Source replacement hoses for the PTO pump
C/ Fit two nuts to the left hand bracket - at the moment it's only held by two of it's four mounting bolts as the nuts were on back order - entails taking the wheel off to get at them :(
D/ Sort out a 'reaction anchor' for the pump - it has a chain that needs fixing somewhere to stop the pump housing turning
E/ Fix the detent for the tractor hydraulic service lever as it keeps springing back to centre
F/ Work out exactly how the controls will poke into the cab and get them there
Also I would anticipate a few of the articulation hoses are going to need renewing as it has sat idle for a few years.
However jolly nearly there now - just as well, 1st August is the first day we can legally cut farm hedges in the UK
PekkaNF:
OK. I get it now. I thought it was only for maintenance. Very different case here.
You are doing very impressive job here and it's almost finished.
Even look of that overhang makes me feel uncomfortable. Once I fell a small front loader, just a little more list that I'm used to, little turn and scoop full of stuff and not even high. Swing-smash-outch.
We had Ford 5600 on our farm. My father still has it. Lot of fun finding replacement bolts and stuff.
Pekka
vtsteam:
New hitch parts look good Andrew. The lower arm to axle attachments look strong.
I know you've used this rig before so it's known to be operational with your tractor. But now it's stiffer and heavier and that top link and its attachment look like they must be in for a lot of side and impact stress when this rig is working. I only say that because I once saw a cast iron tractor differential housing break a chunk off under tension at the attachment and split. Not a pretty sight.
Don't break your tractor :poke:
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