First time attaching flail mower

[DrOrogen]

Hello all-
I got a new flail mower and am attaching to my BX25D for the first time. I read/was told the implement should be level but the pto attachment should be straight. I’ve got the top hitch adjusted about as much as I can to keep the back roller in contact with the ground in order to straighten the pto BUT the top deck is a little off level. Is this close enough? Am I missing something else I can change? Any other obvious mistakes from the image?
Oh, and additionally the mower attachment is offset to the left, is this ok or does it need to be straight as well?
Note I am fairly new to tractoring and this is my first pto implement but I’m keen to cut grass without damaging my equipment!
Thanks for helping a noobie!

 

[cthomas]

The PTO shaft does not have to be level, just not at an extreme angle. Think of the PTO shaft like it is a drive shaft. I have not use a flail mower, but my rotary cutter has a flexible toplink to allow the tractor/roatry cutter to follow ground contour. Hopefully someone who has on will chime it. Have you read the manual for both pieces?

 

[D2Cat]

Adjust the top link so the gear box is level, that makes the mower level. Notice the flat plate on the top that goes the width of the mower will also be level. Grease the U-joints on the PTO shaft and you should be fine.

 

[Russell King]

Did you or someone cut the PTO shaft length to fit with your tractor?

I assume that the manual alerted you to the issue and it has been done but you would not be the first person to damage your tractor by not adjusting the length of the drive shaft

 

[DrOrogen]

Did you or someone cut the PTO shaft length to fit with your tractor?

I assume that the manual alerted you to the issue and it has been done but you would not be the first person to damage your tractor by not adjusting the length of the drive shaft

Definitely read all manuals involved, andthe place I purchased from got my tractor info and had it cut to fit thankfully. Thanks for the heads up tho!

 

[The Evil Twin]

This is something I didn't know!
So, if I bought a new flail from wherever, I would then have to take the shaft and have it shortened by someone that knew how long it needed to be for my tractor?

 

[rc51stierhoff]

This is something I didn't know!
So, if I bought a new flail from wherever, I would then have to take the shaft and have it shortened by someone that knew how long it needed to be for my tractor?

Sure…you can have someone do it. But I’d offer you could easily trim the shaft yourself and the math is fairly simple. There are no specialty tools needed unless you consider a file or sawzall or hacksaw specialty. (This is for anything that uses a rear PTO shaft on your tractor…brush cutter, chipper, etc). Unless someone has both the machine and implement, you are probably better off to cut it yourself.

 

[imnukensc]

This is something I didn't know!
So, if I bought a new flail from wherever, I would then have to take the shaft and have it shortened by someone that knew how long it needed to be for my tractor?

Lots of Youtube videos out there showing how to do it. I think this is one of the best, but I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Sure…you can have someone do it. But I’d offer you could easily trim the shaft yourself and the math is fairly simple. There are no specialty tools needed unless you consider a file or sawzall or hacksaw specialty. (This is for anything that uses a rear PTO shaft on your tractor…brush cutter, chipper, etc). Unless someone has both the machine and implement, you are probably better off to cut it yourself.

Ah, ok. So the U joint couplings are bolt on? I'm thinking like my Jeep drives haft. I had that shortened so I could add a double cardian at the transfer case. I can weld, but don't want to on anything spinning that fast.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Lots of Youtube videos out there showing how to do it. I think this is one of the best, but I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones.

I'll give that a gander after I'm done cooking breakfast for the clan. Thank you!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Ah, ok. So the U joint couplings are bolt on? I'm thinking like my Jeep drives haft. I had that shortened so I could add a double cardian at the transfer case. I can weld, but don't want to on anything spinning that fast.

I think just watch imnukensc video posted.

 

[Chad D.]

Is your top link in a round hole that is forward of the slot on the mower? If it is, I’d relocate the top link to the slot so the mower can follow the ground more.

Otherwise, it looks to be a little nose-high to me.

 

[Russell King]

This is something I didn't know!
So, if I bought a new flail from wherever, I would then have to take the shaft and have it shortened by someone that knew how long it needed to be for my tractor?

Just to be 100% clear (hopefully):

Any implement that you put on the rear that has a PTO shaft between the tractor and implement must have the shaft at the proper length before operating the implement.

New implements usually come with a standard length shaft that must be cut shorter on both sides of the shaft at the center of the PTO shaft. Used implements may still have a shaft that is too long or too short for some other tractor. So renting or borrowing PTO driven implements must be checked when installing on the tractor.

I don’t recommend cutting the shaft length on rental or borrowed implements though. Ask for permission first at least.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Just to be 100% clear (hopefully):

Any implement that you put on the rear that has a PTO shaft between the tractor and implement must have the shaft at the proper length before operating the implement.

New implements usually come with a standard length shaft that must be cut shorter on both sides of the shaft at the center of the PTO shaft. Used implements may still have a shaft that is too long or too short for some other tractor. So renting or borrowing PTO driven implements must be checked when installing on the tractor.

I don’t recommend cutting the shaft length on rental or borrowed implements though. Ask for permission first at least.

Yep, I get it. After watching the video, it's essentially a slip spline drive shaft. You have to have enough slip for full extension and retraction plus a little leeway.