A Tip to Make Hooking Up a Brush Hog Easy

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This is one of those ideas that was a life changer for me and it is so simple I can't believe I never thought of it. I wish my dad were alive to see it, he would feel the same way.
My most popular video of all time is the one where I'm trying to hook up a three point tiller. I was on a tractor I'd never operated and after getting one side attached I struggled mightily to get the other side on. I had to get on and off the tractor several times, trying to back it up so the pins would align. I think a lot of people who are new to tractors enjoyed seeing a guy who has been around tractors all his life struggle to get this done. Maybe they had felt they were doing something wrong when they were trying to do the same thing and it didn't go well.
One day I got a comment from a viewer who told me the process would be a lot easier with a pry bar. He explained that growing up on a farm, his family kept a big long bar around, and when they hooked up a three point implement, they used it, and it made the process a lot easier.
I thought about this for a while, and vowed to try it. I wondered, if it were so easy, why didn't my dad know about it growing up, and why, in 25 years in the business, I had never seen anyone do it that way. I figured that you'd have to be young and have a really strong back to make it work.
Jump forward to a few weeks ago when we started the series about rotary cutters, finish mowers and flail mowers where we'd be testing all of them side-by-side in the field. I knew I'd be switching implements often, with a tractor I wasn't use to and thought it would be a good time to try it out.
I loaded our old family pry bar, an old wagon axle, in the truck and headed to the video shoot. I was floored when I tried to move the first cutter...IT WAS EASY!!! It really didn't take much of a pry bar to move the machine and I was totally shocked.
Maybe everyone but me always knew the mechanical advantage of a lever could move a farm implement, but I sure didn't. So, after a lifetime of trying to move the tractor to get the implement lined up and attached, I've been converted to moving the implement. Well, actually, I was for a while. In the next video we'll look at the advantages of a quick hitch.
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15 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 326

@joeyoumans4221 4 года назад

I accidentally found the easiest way to hook up a brush mower. To keep my mower out of the dirt I sat it on two long scrap pieces of pvc sewer pipe I had laying around. You can slide a mower deck around like it's on skates to hook it up, keeps it out of the dirt and they don't rot. It makes hooking up my mower super easy! Thank you for the video.

@carrollsanders9376 3 года назад

I used 12 inch steel oil well casing to do that for 40years.

@TheEffoff 2 года назад

That is an absolutely boffo idea. Man, damn if I’m not doing just exactly that.

@AN-jz3px 2 года назад

Well gosh darnit

@tcmits3699 2 года назад

Sounds great, going to try that with my front deck on JD F935, a real pain to reinstall, thanks again

@misterb1080 2 года назад

I have struggled with hooking up brush hogs my whole life. My dad did too! I used your technique today and hooked up a brush hog in less than 3 mins. Didn’t cuss or sweat. Fastest I have ever hooked one up in 40 years. Felt stupid. 🤣🤣

@TractorMike 2 года назад

I felt the same way the first time I did it. How could we not have figured that out?

@meagain2898 9 месяцев назад

So glad I bought the adjustable arms on my tractor. Fought with hook ups all the time growing up

@beegirl3509 10 месяцев назад

Thanks! I just went 3 rounds with my brand new brush hog removing it from my tractor. Live and learn. Looking forward to putting it back on now! I like the PVC idea too! Thanks!

@cherylj4248 2 года назад

Holy cow! Why didn't I think of that. This video saved me so much time and mostly lots of swear words getting that darn thing hooked up. Just hooked up in minutes and off I went. THANK YOU!!!

@VNV67 5 лет назад

This was the first thing I learned when I was a kid and I am now 72 years old. I still leave a 6 ft. 1 1/2 pipe with the mower. I am too old to be struggling with it. Thanks Mike

@TheBULLRAM 10 месяцев назад

Well I just watched this and had to laugh, I got off and on my big Massey 8-10 times trying to line up the brush hog yesterday , iwhen I moved the tractor it was still too much, I laughed to see how easy this was, I was so tired after working the dirt for 8 hours ,I would have never thought of this, I will now do this, thanks for sharing.

@rickymeadows5176 6 лет назад

So simple , one just overlooks it ! Good ol' Archimedes "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." Thanks for the tip !

@26tntljb30 3 года назад

great quote!

@RunninLow 4 года назад

The best ideas are the simple ones! I wish I would've though of this ages ago! Thanks for sharing!

@albert39520 6 лет назад

Fantastic! So simple a solution to getting on an off. I have my grandfather's Railroad Pry Bar!

@Itsthatguy24 4 года назад

Thank you so much man. All of your videos are really helpful. Especially for someone like me who finds themselves in a situation, in the middle of a field, trying to get a job done without having to call the boss one more time to remind him that his tractor decided to break at the same time I use lol. Thanks for the clear info. Good luck to you

@scottmacgarvey6733 7 лет назад

Good info. Wish you had published this yesterday. 😊 Hooked my bush hog up early this morning! Good point on greasing the PTO shaft. Thanks.

@KenPryor 7 лет назад

I'm a new tractor owner and am waiting to receive my very first brush hog. Thanks for a great tip!

@sashcraft51 7 лет назад

Awesome and helpful video. I always learn something.

@kellyconner2048 7 лет назад

Good tip - Thanks Mike!

@davesrepaircom 7 лет назад

Another good tip, Mike; Thanks! I keep all my equipment in the barn on a concrete floor, with all the implements on casters and dollies. 'Made a pair of front casters for the brush hog, and have dollies under the back blade, front QD bucket, old back bucket used for a counterweight and chainsaw/tools carrier, etc. Wheels make 3 point connecting and disconnecting infinitely easier and faster! Thanks for all you do, we appreciate it. 'Been working with tractors for most of my 64 years, but I always learn something from you!

@N98858 7 лет назад

...thanks Mike! I'm a new Kubota Owner and have been getting better at the brush-hog hook up but still no expert...thanks for the tips ';-)

@hogman2524 5 лет назад

good advise! I figured out the Pry bar thing a few years ago, saves your back and moving back and forth a lot!!

@sandstonefarm5722 5 лет назад

Thank you for saving my bad back I used my rock bar to move mine worked great thanks

@Sharkbite002 5 лет назад

Tractor Mike, I can’t thank you enough for your informative video. You’ve saved me countless hours hooking up maintaining and so many other things. Keep on keeping on, and thanks again sir!

@26tntljb30 3 года назад

true, so true

@crslyrn 7 лет назад

Another good video of advice. I liked the idea of the bar or piece of pipe to help with the alignment when hooking up the mower. When I set my mower off of my tractor, I set 2 scrap pieces of 4" X 6" X 12" pieces of wood under the runners on the sides of the mower near the front. Then I can just align the mower by pushing or pulling on the tail wheel when I hook the tractor & mower back up again. Plus the added benefit of the mower setting on the pieces of wood is the fact that the mower blades are not on the ground if the sides of the mower sink into the ground a little bit. Stay safe.

@MarkSBurgunder 7 лет назад

I've changed to a quick hitch system on my small (45 horse) tractor and am so glad i did. Changing implements is no longer a hassle. The one i've installed is an after market product fitting most tractors.

@rustyman351 6 лет назад

I ve used landscape logs in the front for mine too. Blades spin and u can just muscle the backend around. Thanks for the video sir.

@rlmillercpa 7 лет назад

Great tip, Mike! Please thank your viewer who shared that tip for me.

@angeluberto2091 7 лет назад

Thanks Mike! My Kubota L3240 has the sliding arms which makes the lower pin attachment fairly easy. However, the pry bar is a great idea for a "just off" adjustment which is often necessary even with the slides! You are right, "now why did I not think of that?" as it looks like a D'uh tool. 👍👍

@HomeCures 6 лет назад

For a novice this is a great help. Thanks

@williampockoski5029 2 года назад

Thank you for the advice

@billbrown1783 7 лет назад

Thanks Mike, your help will be invaluable to me in the near future. Happy to subscribe!

@risky1 5 лет назад

I have been using a Rock Bar to move my Shredder to line up with the pins for years. I guess you confirmed I am doing it right. My Shredder is an 8' wide brush hog, and you need a little more leverage but it still works GREAT !!! Thanks for the TIP !!!

@lakenseagt 7 лет назад

Good tip! I keep an 8 ft 2x4 near the 3 point equipment for the same purpose.

@tonycrockett8293 5 лет назад

Great tip! Thank you!

@paulmaxwell8851 5 лет назад

Great tips! I park my bush hog on 4x4 skids so it's easier to move. And I always have a 5 ft steel digging bar on the tractor at all times, for just this kind of job. It sure beats moving the tractor back and forth!

@joelhenderson3951 5 лет назад

I use a pats quick hitch I love it! I've always have bar around my implements.

@Ricardo-ge1yl 4 года назад

Great job... I have been using an old "T" post, for years now..plus the nibs on it, keeps it from slipping on you.....Happy Trails !

@PapaRug.58 Год назад

Great ideas as always goin to have to remember these tricks

@geraldperreault3034 7 лет назад

You're the best! Thanks!

@Machi74005 6 лет назад

I remember seeing this trick done often by my grandfather. A 5' category one bush hog to an NAA Ford was light enough stuff you could pry around on it. Worked well.

@Farmer-bh3cg 4 года назад

Great idea, thanks! My cutter is housed in a shed on blocks. I use a chain fall on the top link attachment pin to lift it off the blocks, then free up the tractor lifting arms to move freely. I follow up with final leveling and re-pinning the lifter arms. Takes only a few minutes and I don't even have to swear at it very much!

@ronniepercival4014 7 лет назад

I have used that (trick) many times. One that my Dad taught me. Something else that works well if you don't have a axle or a pipe is a metal t post. You can bend those but most of the time I have one handy when hooking up. Also you can bend them back most of the time. I really enjoy your ideas and videos. Keep them coming buddy. Ronnie

@AndyGarcia-ch1ci 7 лет назад

Thanks for another good video!

@kennethcaine3402 5 лет назад

Great video, great information thanks for sharing. My bush hog is the hardest thing I have to hookup to my Kabota, but my big John Deere is easy, just the way there made.

@paulnorris820 6 лет назад

thanks for your time it is very helpful maybe even more so for a new farmer like myself my grandfather was the farmer dad took over while i was in the ARMY i returned to a disabled dad now responisble for the farm so you can see i need the help thanks again

@snakedriver73 6 лет назад

For those of us not well off enough to have a tractor for every implement, good stuff!

@TxTundra 7 лет назад

I cannot remember who's video it was but a guy made a dolly with 4 caster wheels on it so it rolled easily. Of course, he had a lot of concrete floor space to store stuff! I do not, so thank you for this tip... I have just the pipe to bring out with me. Well done!

@bobbicuttance7652 11 месяцев назад

This is a great hack! Used it and it made it a whole lot easier! I used a 6' T Post without the blade on it.

@quickstart-M51 3 года назад

Great idea. Thanks.

@Farmer-bh3cg 4 года назад

Thank you for this and your other videos! I'm late to the picnic here but if you can store your cutter underneath an overhead, simply use a chain fall on the center pin. The cutter is suspended between the tailwheel and the center pin. It's easy to jockey the cutter by hand to slide the pins onto the lifting arms. Then drop the chain fall and hook up the center adjusting link. The chain fall offers very fine adjustments as to height. Using this method takes me about 5 minutes to get the cutter completely hooked up.

@jstidgwell 6 лет назад

Thanks for the help.

@randallstewart8487 11 месяцев назад

Already knew this,but someone else may not have thought about a bar,makes alighning the pins easy,I use an old axle too!Thanks!

@kolilagephart3766 5 лет назад

Always leave your mower on blocks. A mower on the ground is a moisture trap and a home for skunks. A little higher shelters rabbits from coyotes and your cat from your neighbors dog.

@kk5sc 4 года назад

We set ours on landscaping Timbers. They are rated for ground contact and ease sliding the shredder about to connect to the tractor

@commandercody38 2 года назад

I just rest mine on some 2x4s. perfect height for a small tractor and a small 5 foot bush hog.

@sleepy48 3 года назад

Very helpful!

@paultraue8185 5 лет назад

I always found that getting the tractor aligned properly (at least close) before you start to attach any implement is the big 'trick'. When you are twisted around, looking over your shoulder, backing up to an implement you can't tell if you are square to the implement or not. One lift arm is angled one way and the other is angled another further complicating the procedure. I carefully set the top link pointing straight back (usually while standing at the rear of the tractor and sighting down toward the engine) and then I have a reference to know what is 'square'. If the implement has a PTO shaft, I also align this 'straight ahead'. Now I have a reference to what is 'square' and can 'aim' the top link to the center of the implement trying to keep it all square and it should hook up fairly easily. Unlevel ground can be a real problem. I also believe in letting the tractor do the heavy work. Thanks for your videos and the help they give us all.

@josephleroy2207 5 лет назад

Been using a peavy bar for many years. It also is good for tapping the lift arms onto the pins.

@sluggo8633 7 лет назад

Mike thank you so much -'never thought of that!

@chapmaker46 7 лет назад

that was a great tip..thanks

@jamesvillarreal9183 4 года назад

Great suggestions, Mike!

@TractorMike 4 года назад

I appreciate it!

@jamesgaul1022 7 лет назад

Find all of your videos to be quite informative. Great information for a novice tractor buff such as me.

@possumvalhalla768 3 года назад

Absolute best tractor advice Ive found on RU-vid haha. Thanks Mike!

@TractorMike 3 года назад

Thanks Dad!

@donaldsanders9104 3 года назад

Mike, I realize this clip is now a few years old, but I did want to add my (belated) 2-cents worth... For several years I, too, struggled to line up my tractor to the brush hog. I keep my cutter parked up on cinder blocks in my concrete-floored barn when not in use and it was difficult to make those necessary final adjustments to the cutter when it came time to hook it up. A few years back I built a skid from scrap 2x6 planks set on rollers (in my case, metal coasters salvaged from an old upright piano I was getting rid of.) The brush hog remains parked on the skid and off the floor when not in use; simply backing the tractor up close and it is quite easy to move the skid into final position when I go to attach.

@SK-qt1rm 4 года назад

Thank you for sharing the pry bar trick. Just starting using attachment and Wow. It works for the box blade also. Off subject: concreted 2 ea 4 by 6 in beams inground, have a horizontal removable 4 by 4 that holds up the Post Hole Digger. Its like a teder toder. All the weight transferred to ground when PHD rests on the 4 by 4. Yoke weighs about 5 pounds when hooking up.

@clarkansas6590 3 года назад

Good information

@thundr0019 7 лет назад

Mike ---- I've actually have used this method for a couple of decades. But I place the front of the brush hog on a couple of 2X or 4X lumber. I then can use a longer 2X to jockey the brush hog into position and make my connections. Now the auger is a different story. The best way I found is to hang the unit on a chain and jockey that around - but still a pain in the butt. Not so much enthused about getting on and off the tractor to make any adjustments. Good video!

@johnwillis6607 6 лет назад

That was a really nice demo, especially after we had just struggled to put on the mower the hard way. I need to watch your videos before fighting the tractor, not after.

@TractorMike 6 лет назад

I did it the hard way for about 50 years, imagine how dumb I feel...especially when that tool was leaning up against a wall 30 feet away the whole time.

@oldpackfan 6 лет назад

Mike when you take the cutter off the tractor set it down on two pieces of fence post then you can move it without the big heave pipe.

@deedeewinfrey3181 5 лет назад

I needed this lesson..grease the shaft y'all. WD 40 is your friend. Pry bars save your back.

@edsmelly 6 лет назад

A little bit of in-and-out action. That's all I needed to know... 👍

@gaylegordon5797 3 года назад

Thanks, this was really helpful...your other videos too. I'm a widow and my husband became to ill to even teach me the things he knew. Bet you could have taught him a trick or two. There are things I had to just get on with, even if it was "neglectful" because I didn't know, had no instructor, therefore didn't think I could manage on my own. I know there are still somethings I will need help from a neighbor, but have more confidence now that I can handle far more than I thought. Watching your videos (and a few others) I have gotten some ideas and inspiration on how I can make it all work easier for me, my bad knee and limited resources. I'm almost looking forward to sprint time warm temps to get out and cracking with what I've learned. :-D

@cindymcdevitt952 4 года назад

Excellent

@bsflyboy 6 лет назад

Hey Mike, as always, thanks for the video. Two thoughts come to mind. First is that I keep an old shovel handle around close as it seems I always need a leaver for something. Also, I tend to keep my implements in the barn on concrete and started setting them on movers dolly so that they roll around. This make it easy to adjust when mounting them and also lets me roll them to wherever I want to store them. Saves a lot of floor space and maneuvering around inside the barn.

@jeffvoermans8817 3 года назад

Re-watched this video and finally read the comments. What a great idea for inside a shed that has smooth slippery floors. Steel pry bars slip when prying and I haven't sprung for Pat's Easy Hitch yet.

@decothran 7 лет назад

very good tip!

@popwall4297 2 года назад

I learned this from my father back in the sixties and I've been doing it ever since it works on everything not just the rotary cutter a person would have to be a little on the stupid side not to figure something like this out . If you put a piece of 4 inch PVC pipe under the rotary cutter you can move the cutter back and forth by the rear wheel real easy

@TractorMike 2 года назад

That's a great idea!

@oswaltedmund6257 6 лет назад

I try to drop my brush hog on a couple of land scape timbers. Makes the brush hog easier to move a couple inches. Like the idea of the bar

@DSCKy 7 лет назад

I had and easier (in my opinion) method back on the farm 40 years ago. Hard to describe in words, but I would back up hook up one side then my moving the tractor and lifting/dropping the arms I'd hook the other side. I basically let the tractor do as much work as was possible.

@semco72057 5 лет назад

I am glad to see this tip as I have a problem getting my bush hog connected and disconnected and I will be looking for a pry bar that large to aid in attaching this implement and one one tractor I leave the bush hog connected since it is so difficult to attach and remove.

@SteveMillerhuntingforfood 7 лет назад

That was really useful....thanks so much... I'll be using this technique soon....Or I'll just buy a quick connect!

@johnnybahama497 6 лет назад

Good info

@dennisanthony8335 5 лет назад

Hey Mike, been doing this for years. 6’ t post works good

@jfortune06 7 лет назад

I use a 6 foot spud bar (or San Angelo bar or whatever you wanna call it) for maneuvering implements around this way. I also found that the Pats Quick Hitch makes it easier as you only have to get one side lined up, then just back up a little more and it will push the other side in line, then just lift up on the arms and it clicks into place. I wish I remembered to lube up all of the various parts BEFORE I start whatever job I'm doing. It seems like I always get going and need to adjust something only to discover it's rusted into place. That's when I break out the ole pipe wrench :)

@bunkstagner298 5 лет назад

I just bought a quick attachment bracket. That makes it easy and safe. Costs a few dollars but well worth the price in time saved.

@chickenhawkfarmstead8478 7 лет назад

i search RU-vid last week for this video lol. At least now I know this the next time I have to hook up the bushhog. Thanks

@strongsadventures 7 лет назад

We also sit the front of our cutter on a 2x4 or a fence post along with using a pry bar. It really moves easy then.

@kreisenmenger 7 лет назад

Another great vid Mike. When I was researching tractors before buying my first one, you did video where you recommended getting the extendable arms. The Bronson 4520R that I bought has them and I am damn glad. They make connecting heavy three point attach implements so much easier. I just back the tractor up to where I'm within about an inch, release the extensions and I'm good to connect. I think that was the video where you showed what you got for the tractor that a few thousand higher. The Branson I got was less than the Deer and Kubota or Mahindra in that same range and they did not have the nice features like the extendable arms, or the cup holders. Thanks for all of your help.

@TractorMike 7 лет назад

You're welcome, glad you got the tractor that you really wanted.

@eosjoe565 7 лет назад

This is an excellent promo video for a Quick Hitch. :-)

@TractorMike 7 лет назад

And that is next week's video :).

@nathanstone6921 5 лет назад

just got my first tractor, and took it out the weekend, unloaded it and hooked up the brush hog and did some cutting. When I went to move my box blade I got a little frustrated trying to line the tractor up with it, and used a big pry bar to adjust it into place.. watched this video tonight and realized I just dumb lucked into this tip my first try out...hope future days on the tractor go as well.

@philipmartin2622 5 лет назад

I have three indispensable items for my tractor. One is a five foot 2 X 4 for moving equipment while hooking up just like this video. The second item is a short ratchet strap for pulling the lower arms together. But the most useful item of all is a six foot high strength log chain which is the perfect length to hook on the top of my bucket and attach to equipment or items that I need to move around. This was custom made to be long enough but not too long. It is also extremely compact and easily fits in a small tool box.

@bobbicuttance7652 11 месяцев назад

Love to see how you use the chain and the 2x4. Video?

@stepitupmorons8704 2 года назад

thanks mike,,,

@wescranmer940 7 лет назад

Good video, Mike. I often use the pry bar vertically, in the triangle leading to the rear wheel for fine movement adjustments. On the PTO shaft, I still use an old mechanical overrunning clutch between the tractor and the brush hog. That will always spin, even when the tractor's shaft does not. It also has the added advantage of acting like another shear pin. If you hit something, and the slip clutch does not work, worst case is the $79 overrunning clutch will fail. Much better than internal PTO damage, and it allows the brush hog to spin to a stop gradually.

@TractorMike 7 лет назад

Interesting tip, I would never have thought of the overrunning clutch idea.

@rahangman 7 лет назад

I watch all of your videos and as I am relatively new to tractor ownership/use I am learning. My comment, though, involves adjustment of 3 point hitch implement hook up for different desired results which may include different size top links and adjustment of other linkage

@semco72057 7 лет назад

I like that tip, and that is the main reason I purchased the easy hitch attachment for my tractor. It was difficult to hook up implements like the brush hog, and I don't have the movable attachment on my tractor, making it hard to hook up equipment. I have to check to see if I had a long pry bar or another heavy bar around home to help hooking up the equipment. The only problem I have is hooking up my box blade after removing items like the brush hog. The top hook of the 3-point hitch when my box blade is hooked up. I have to remove the bolts on the 3-point hitch and readjust the top hook for the other implements after I am through with the box blade.

@AutumnOaksFarm 7 лет назад

I should have told you about this I actually use and old 2x4 I keep strapped to the cutter. ;)

@kylehuberofs8052 5 лет назад

Wow that will save the back. I always just reach under and lift it in place.

@rossstrickland6104 7 лет назад

Hey Mike, a buddy of mine taught me to set the mower on a 4 x 4 post. Much easier to deal with when it's time to hook it back up.

@BenHollingsworthNE 7 лет назад

Setting it on a couple steel T-posts works a lot better than a 4x4 when you need to slide the cutter around.

@BenHollingsworthNE 7 лет назад

I've got an even better idea that my dad taught me. When you park the cutter, set a couple T-posts on the ground running laterally (side-to-side) under the front of the cutter, with the bumps facing down. A long, metal pipe will also work. Then unhook the cutter so that the sides are resting on these steel rails. When it comes time to hook it back up, it's really easy to slide the front end of the cutter around on those posts using just your hands. No long lever required. You just need to make sure that you don't hook up your PTO shaft until after you've lifted the cutter and moved it away from those T-posts!

@freiermann7 7 лет назад

Thats a great video! Thanks! Now that its all hooked up, can we get a video about properly adjusting the 3 point links?

@71160000 4 года назад

One thing that gives most people trouble is squeezing in behind the tractor to hook up the pto shaft. I've found that if you leave a foot of so of room between the outriggers and the mower you can get in and engage the pto shaft as long as you have enough extension to keep it together while extended. Then back up to the mower. I finally bought a set of quick release hooks to fit on the ends of the outriggers so all I have to do is back up and lift. If I have to adjust the mower I use a shovel to lift and swing.

@26tntljb30 3 года назад

good info...I've always used a 15" pipe wrench...set correctly no slippage :) doesn't take much no matter what you use

@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz 10 месяцев назад

I keep the cutter on a steel dolly I welded up with some steel I had on hand that is on wheels and store it indoors on a concrete surface. If yours in on a level surface like mine, you can grab a low clearance hydraulic jack for lifting your car or truck. The jack is on wheels and makes shifting the cutter around easier than lifting with a pry bar. I know that doesn't help if you store yours in a field.