Land Pride RCR 1860 - odd pin for top link ?

[icehorse]

I've used my Land Pride rotary cutter only via my quick hitch. But it's a pain to hook up the PTO with the quick hitch in the way. So I thought I'd just skip the quick hitch this time...

Well if I ever had a pin for the top link I can't find it. And then, when trying other pins, I came to the conclusion that the only pin that'll fit is a category 0 pin. That seems odd. And odder still, I need a 4" minimum working length.

In the photo below you can see I inserted a short 5/8" bolt. A 3/4" bolt (cat 1), will not fit. You can also see the working length.

It seems very odd to use such a thin and long pin for such a big heavy implement.

I'm thinking of making the holes a bit bigger where the bolt is, so that I could use a cat 1 pin.

Thoughts?

 

[McMXi]

Well if I ever had a pin for the top link I can't find it. And then, when trying other pins, I came to the conclusion that the only pin that'll fit is a category 0 pin. That seems odd. And odder still, I need a 4" minimum working length.

This might not help much but I have an RCR1884 and here's a photo of the pin that came with the cutter. I won't be back home until late Tuesday so can't measure it or provide any further details.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You use a bolt with a bushing of the right diameter.

 

[icehorse]

You use a bolt with a bushing of the right diameter.

That's the plan.

I do wonder how strong a grade 5 bolt is compared to a link pin? They'd be roughly the same diameter except the bolt has threads which makes it smaller.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That's the plan.

I do wonder how strong a grade 5 bolt is compared to a link pin? They'd be roughly the same diameter except the bolt has threads which makes it smaller.

Grade 5 is about the same if not stronger then the pins.
With the Bushing it will be stronger.

 

[CAPT Seabee]

I just hook into the lower pivot (a little lube on the surface). When leveling, the pivot needs to be about halfway to allow mower flexing in the pasture. There's a number of Youtube videos showing this. An example is at 1:45 of this video

 

[icehorse]

I just hook into the lower pivot (a little lube on the surface). When leveling, the pivot needs to be about halfway to allow mower flexing in the pasture. There's a number of Youtube videos showing this. An example is at 1:45 of this video

Yes, when using my QH15, that's what I've been doing!

But I want to try using the cutter without the QH15. Mainly because the QH15 makes it super hard to attach the PTO to the tractor.

 

[chim]

Would it be easier to remove the PTO shaft and connect the tractor end before getting the mower in position? Then connect the mower end.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have an RCR 1860 and a LP QH10. It probably took me 15 minutes to hook up the PTO the first time, but now I routinely seat the PTO shaft in 30-45 seconds. The key for me was learning where to stand during the process. I stand on the right side (right handed) of the mower deck in contact with the mower's upper triangle. I move the PTO shaft from the holder with my left hand, and I push the PTO shaft to the tractor with my right hand. Once I rotate and initially seat the PTO shaft on the tractor's stub, I use the left hand to push and the right hand to retract the PTO collar.

I have a slip clutch, so removing the PTO shaft from the mower is not an option.

FWIW, my cutter is sitting on a standard height pallet.

YMMV

 

[icehorse]

I have an RCR 1860 and a LP QH10. It probably took me 15 minutes to hook up the PTO the first time, but now I routinely seat the PTO shaft in 30-45 seconds. The key for me was learning where to stand during the process. I stand on the right side (right handed) of the mower deck in contact with the mower's upper triangle. I move the PTO shaft from the holder with my left hand, and I push the PTO shaft to the tractor with my right hand. Once I rotate and initially seat the PTO shaft on the tractor's stub, I use the left hand to push and the right hand to retract the PTO collar.

I have a slip clutch, so removing the PTO shaft from the mower is not an option.

FWIW, my cutter is sitting on a standard height pallet.

YMMV

I think my weak, arthritic hands are a part of the problem. My approach has been similar, but in the end, I have to crawl underneath and get both hands on the PTO collar.

Out of curiosity, how wide are the top-link pin holes on your 1860 if you wanted to NOT use the QH? I called my dealer and he thought the holes should be cat 1, 3/4". (I agree). He thinks if the holes are only 5/8" - like mine - that might be a manufacturer's defect.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I think my weak, arthritic hands are a part of the problem. My approach has been similar, but in the end, I have to crawl underneath and get both hands on the PTO collar.

Out of curiosity, how wide are the top-link pin holes on your 1860 if you wanted to NOT use the QH? I called my dealer and he thought the holes should be cat 1, 3/4". (I agree). He thinks if the holes are only 5/8" - like mine - that might be a manufacturer's defect.

It is unfortunate your hands are failing you; I hope they improve of at least stabilize.

I cannot help you with the measurements; the tractor and implements are at our property in north Georgia - about 250 miles from our home.

If you do not have a slip clutch (like me), you might try to find PTO shaft that is easier to use. The ones with push buttons might be a simple solution.

 

[icehorse]

It is unfortunate your hands are failing you; I hope they improve of at least stabilize.

I cannot help you with the measurements; the tractor and implements are at our property in north Georgia - about 250 miles from our home.

If you do not have a slip clutch (like me), you might try to find PTO shaft that is easier to use. The ones with push buttons might be a simple solution.

Okay, I'm embarrassed. False alarm. Orange paint was the culprit. My bad.

I hooked it up using my 5/8" bolt and bushing and drove it out into the light so that I could make sure the slip clutch was still slipping and hooking up the PTO and such.

It looks like just driving it 100 yards from the barn, the bolt rubbed off paint that was on the inside of the holes. With the paint gone, the cat 1 pin fits, hooray, and sorry for wasting everyone's time.

And, fwiw, with the QH15 off, hooking up the PTO was MUCH easier!