Recommend Tools for Sharpening

   / Recommend Tools for Sharpening #1  

Alan L.

Elite Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
3,227
Location
Grayson County, TX
Tractor
Kubota B2710
I just finished brush hogging and after noting that I need to slow down to get the quality I'm used to I checked the blades and found them to be extremely dull. Again. I had them sharpened in the spring.

I don't have air tools or a compressor big enough to run many of the air tools, and so I have not wanted to fool with taking the blades off myself, but its also a pain hauling the tractor 28 miles to the dealer to get him to do it.

I note that many of you use a grinder and do the sharpening without taking the blades off.

(1) Is there an electric portable grinder that would do the trick?

(2) Can you also get to the top of the blades with the blades mounted?

(3) What you do to make sure the brush hog doesn't fall and squash you?

(4) How do you make sure the blades are balanced without taking them off?

(5) If a bear farts in the woods, does it make a smell?



Alan L., TX
 
   / Recommend Tools for Sharpening #2  
Alan, I prefer to take my blades off; however, I know several people who sharpen theirs without taking them off.

1. Look for an electric angle grinder, no larger than 4 to 4.5". I have a Craftsman from Sears but there are lots of brands on the market.

2. You only want to sharpen the top of the blade, leaving the bottom flat (if it's dinged so the bottom of the blade isn't smooth, you may want to grind a little off just to smooth it). And I guess there are different size grinders and perhaps different amounts of space between the blade and deck, so you ought to measure first to be sure, but I think you can get most of the smaller angle grinders in there.

3. Since I take my blades off, I leave the rotary cutter hooked up to the tractor, raise it with the 3-point, then put jack stands under the edges of the cutter, after killing the engine on the tractor and setting the park brake, of course. However I know a couple of guys who use their front end loader to lift one side, turn the cutter up on its side leaning against a tree.

4. If you sharpen them without removing them, you just have to try to grind off an equal amount on each one.

5. I don't get close enough to bears to find out.

Bird
 
   / Recommend Tools for Sharpening
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks Bird. I found a Bosch 4.5" angle grinder at www.toolbarn.com for about $75. Saw a B & D for $42, but don't know whether the B & D would hold up.

Should I get grinding disks (not sanding disks)? General purpose? Looks like they are only about $2 apiece.



Alan L., TX
 
   / Recommend Tools for Sharpening #4  
Alan, I agree with Bird on using an electric angle grinder. I've used one for years (the same $20 4" grinder!) to sharpen my blades. My personal preference on the grinding media is to use a metal working sanding disc. I too sharpen with the blades off and also balance them each time (better on the bearings!!)

Zenmek, KY
 
   / Recommend Tools for Sharpening #5  
Alan, like Zenmek said, sanding disks will work, especially for a finer, smoother finish, but they're much slower. I have both, but for sharpening brush hog blades, I use the grinding disks; much faster. Bosch is a very good one, and don't forget to read the manual with the explanation of what part of the disk you want in contact with the blade.

Bird
 
 
 
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