3 point float?

ultra97rider

New member

Equipment
B2401
Jul 3, 2021
19
12
3
Blountville, Tn
Newbie dumb question. can not find the answer in the manual. How do you get the 3 point implements to float. I have a finish mower and want it to follow the contour of the ground.
 

PoTreeBoy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,815
1,532
113
WestTn/NoMs
Just set it down all the way. Very few tractors have down force on the 3 pt. The op man should say if it does, but I'm pretty sure yours doesn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users

Elliott in GA

Well-known member

Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
744
726
93
North Georgia
As noted above, the 3PT hitch has no down force. However, you will want to ensure that the linkage on the mower allows for the mower to pivot up/down front to back. With my setup using the LP QH10, I use the link plates on the QH 10 instead of the hook to make the top connection. So, the bottom pins on the mower are locked in the QH 10, and the link plates are connected to the top of the mower's floating hinge.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ultra97rider

New member

Equipment
B2401
Jul 3, 2021
19
12
3
Blountville, Tn
I would think that I will need the lower the wheels because I need the mower deck higher. I can not lower the 3 pt all the way down with out scalping the cut height is controlled by the mower wheels not the 3pt height. Correct?

I am used to a belly mower.

The mower is a land pride FDR 1660 From what I am reading the PTO should be set at 540 which is gear position #1?
 
Last edited:

imnukensc

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2380
Sep 10, 2015
688
591
93
Midlands of SC
PTO speed is controlled by engine RPM, not which gear you're in. There is a mark on your tachometer which corresponds to 540 PTO speed. Cut height on your mower is set by the spacers on your mower's gauge wheels so yes, you are correct about that.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

ultra97rider

New member

Equipment
B2401
Jul 3, 2021
19
12
3
Blountville, Tn
PTO speed is controlled by engine RPM, not which gear you're in. There is a mark on your tachometer which corresponds to 540 PTO speed. Cut height on your mower is set by the spacers on your mower's gauge wheels so yes, you are correct about that.
But there is a 2 position PTO gear shift lever that selects the PTO RPM. position a 1st sets rear at 540 rpm. 2nd position set rear at 1000 rpms and mid at 2500 rpms. and the mower should not be operated faster than 540 pto gear selector in position 1? Correct?
 

old and tired

Well-known member

Equipment
L2800 HST; 2005; R4
You have a two speed pto transmission, so in the 540 gear your engine RPM's should be around 2500 to achive the 540 pto.

Can you post photos of your mower... pretty sure we can point things out to you. If your mower is scalping when your 3 point arms are down (as they should be) something isn't right.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,421
4,908
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
hmm.. I was under the impression that '1000 PTO' implements had a different PTO shaft than a '540 PTO' ?
Somehow it sounds 'bad' that you can run a 540 PTO at 1000....
 

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,233
766
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
I would think that I will need the lower the wheels because I need the mower deck higher. I can not lower the 3 pt all the way down with out scalping the cut height is controlled by the mower wheels not the 3pt height. Correct?

I am used to a belly mower.

The mower is a land pride FDR 1660 From what I am reading the PTO should be set at 540 which is gear position #1?
Sounds like your mower wheels are needing adjustment to combat the scalping.
If the mower will not lower enough with the 3-point position control lever down all the way, there may be a lifting rod attachment hole further forward of it's default position on your tractor's 3-point lower arms. My B2650 has them. Moving the lifting rods forward that few inches on each side allows a wider arc up and down of the lower arms a bit, but also reduces its maximum safe load capacity a bit. I found it handy with my old M5 bush hog mower.
Just remember to put the lift arms back after mowing. I forgot once and no damage done, but it took me a few minutes to figure out the weird box blade behavior...
 

ultra97rider

New member

Equipment
B2401
Jul 3, 2021
19
12
3
Blountville, Tn
thanks again for all the replies, helped greatly. Adjusted the wheel height made sure the 3pt was set up correctly and mowed today, really worked well. the vegetation was high and I will need to go over it a couple more times but everything worked again thanks to all for the clarification on everything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Elliott in GA

Well-known member

Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Mar 10, 2021
744
726
93
North Georgia
Once you are mowing regularly, the finish mower is a pleasure to use - beautiful cut, no vibration and quiet.