All done! For those who may read this in the future this is what I ended up doing. I bought Pat's Easy Change from Rural King for $164 but tax took it to around $176. Gaining 3.5 inches on my lift arms required replacement of the top link (around $16 or $17 for a 17" - 26"), bought a PTO shaft from Georgia Equipment Company for $150, shear pin type, series 4 approx. 36" to 49" working length so my 40 to 43" range is covered without cutting the shaft.
In reading up on all this I learned my rotary cutter was in need of some serious adjustment! The rear end of the mower had the blades at 3"!!! I adjusted them up to about 6" in the back that allows for the front to ride comfortably at 4", a quick spin around the woods hitting some underbrush showed GREAT improvement with no scalping!!! I think I might dress up the rounded blades next or simply buy new ones. Buying tractor stuff is as addictive as boat stuff...even more since it's cheaper and easier to work on!!!
In reading up on all this I learned my rotary cutter was in need of some serious adjustment! The rear end of the mower had the blades at 3"!!! I adjusted them up to about 6" in the back that allows for the front to ride comfortably at 4", a quick spin around the woods hitting some underbrush showed GREAT improvement with no scalping!!! I think I might dress up the rounded blades next or simply buy new ones. Buying tractor stuff is as addictive as boat stuff...even more since it's cheaper and easier to work on!!!