rootytoot
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2008
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- Western Oregon
- Tractor
- Ford/NH Model 1920, Allis Chalmers Model G
A couple of years ago when I was even greener than I am now, I bought a Fordson Power Major (used, of course!) and a used JD 516 rotary cutter (bush hog). A tenant on my remote rural property offered to mow the 5 acre pasture, so I let him. Not such a great idea... for one thing, he wasn't paying attention to the Fordson's fluids, and blew up the engine with too little oil.
He also managed to run over a 4' steel T post (fencing post) that was marking the location of a PVC hose pipe. Well, of course the hose pipe was toast, and the T-post looked like it took a beating: twisted and gnarled, but he got past it without stalling the cutter or the tractor.
He managed to get the tractor and cutter back to the garage. The local dealer picked up the Fordson, and promptly pronounced it DOA with a blown cylinder 3. The cutter has sat unused in the garage for two years while I decided whether I would get another tractor.
I recently purchased a newer tractor (Ford 1920), and so I got curious about the old rotary cutter; was it usable? I jacked it up, and took a look. The swing blades seem symmetrical and not obviously damaged; though a little rusty from disuse, and not very sharp. In fact, the leading edge was as rounded as the trailing edge! The cutter shaft seems to turn the PTO drive easily, and it's not loose or leaking oil. I'm guessing that the T-post hasn't done damage, but I'm open to opinions on what to look for...
As for sharpening, should I just get under there and file away on the leading edge of each swing blade to give it some semblance of a chisel profile?
I've enclosed photos for your enjoyment.
Thanks for your help in advising a pretty green tractor owner.
He also managed to run over a 4' steel T post (fencing post) that was marking the location of a PVC hose pipe. Well, of course the hose pipe was toast, and the T-post looked like it took a beating: twisted and gnarled, but he got past it without stalling the cutter or the tractor.
He managed to get the tractor and cutter back to the garage. The local dealer picked up the Fordson, and promptly pronounced it DOA with a blown cylinder 3. The cutter has sat unused in the garage for two years while I decided whether I would get another tractor.
I recently purchased a newer tractor (Ford 1920), and so I got curious about the old rotary cutter; was it usable? I jacked it up, and took a look. The swing blades seem symmetrical and not obviously damaged; though a little rusty from disuse, and not very sharp. In fact, the leading edge was as rounded as the trailing edge! The cutter shaft seems to turn the PTO drive easily, and it's not loose or leaking oil. I'm guessing that the T-post hasn't done damage, but I'm open to opinions on what to look for...
As for sharpening, should I just get under there and file away on the leading edge of each swing blade to give it some semblance of a chisel profile?
I've enclosed photos for your enjoyment.
Thanks for your help in advising a pretty green tractor owner.