How-To: TDR-X – Connecting the Mower to the Tractor

The TDR-X has several unique features that make it an easy one-person job to connect the TDR-X to a utility tractor.

The TDR-X features the exclusive 6-Way Adaptive Swivel Hitch. The TDR-X hitch allows truer contour tracking. It also helps to make connecting to the tractor a “one person” task.

Warnings

Before beginning, always consult your manual for the proper safety precautions to take.

Before connecting to the tractor, adjust the drawbar to the specified dimensions. You can find this information in the front section of your Operator’s and Parts Manual, or on the mower frame near the implement jack. Failure to do this very important step can result in damage to equipment.

Connecting the Mower

The Hitch Pin

To assist with connecting to the tractor’s drawbar, the hitch pin can be placed in the hitch assembly to keep the yoke in the correct position for mounting on the drawbar. Adjust the height of your mower so the drawbar lines up with the hitch.

After positioning the tractor drawbar, install and secure the flat-top hitch pin supplied with your TDR-X. Secure it at the bottom with the supplied lynch pin to ensure the pin will not work itself out with vibrations.

PTO Shaft and PTO Support

Lift the PTO shaft off the PTO Support, and fold the support down flat on the mower frame. This will avoid interference with the PTO Support and the PTO Shaft.

Pull back on the Auto-Lok locking collar on the PTO shaft, and install on the tractor’s PTO. Push the PTO on until the locking collar springs back into place, locking the shaft on to the tractor’s PTO stub. Give the PTO shaft a solid tug to ensure it is securely locked in place.

To keep the PTO Support in place, secure it with the supplied lynch pin.

Implement Jack

When the mower is secured correctly to the drawbar and it is safe to do so, carefully remove the weight of the mower from the implement jack.

For convenient storage, a jack holder is installed on the left hand wing. Remove the jack from the mower frame, and secure it safely to the jack holder on the wing. This will ensure the jack remains out of the way.

Hydraulics

The TDR-X includes a convenient storage location for the hoses, provided on the side of the Intermediate PTO shield. This ensures the hoses remain clean while the unit is in storage. Remove the hoses from the shield, and carefully route them forward, avoiding places of potential interference.

Once routed to the front of the mower, connect them to the tractor’s remotes.

HINT: Always fully extend the cylinders fully when lowering the mower. Hydraulic float is not required.

Final Steps

Position the pull rope so it will not become entangled during operation. This is especially important near constantly moving parts like the PTO shafts.

Progressive Turf recommends removing 3 point hitch arms and other rear attachments whenever possible. The mower is designed to function on a proper drawbar within specific measurements only, and should not be connected with any third-party attachments. This includes many quick-hitch setups, or bars spread between 3 point hitch arms. If you cannot remove the 3 point hitch arms from your tractor, pin them up out of the way whenever connected to the mower. Failure to ensure the 3 point hitch arms don’t interfere may result in damage to equipment.

Watch the Video

Want to see how it’s done? Watch the brief video on YouTube, or scroll down to the player below to watch how easy it is to connect the TDR-X to a tractor.