shear bolt on brush hog?

[rk246]

Okay so I was at the dealer the other day and he had just delivered my new 60" brush hog, He was explaining everything to me and told me I should get a bunch of extra shear bolts for the pto shaft? He said that is designed to keep the gear box from being wrecked if I hit something substantial? So now my questions:
1. Does this shear bolt do a pretty good job of protecting the unit if say I hit a stump or rock?

2. The salesman and a parts guy were arguing over the grade of bolt, if it was grade 2 or 5? Anyone with some good knowledge on this want to tell me the difference? I am assuming that one is stronger than the other? by how much? Which should be on the unit? the salesman was telling grade 2 and the parts guy says grade 5?

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[sodamo]

I haven't experienced it yet on my brush hog, but hit a rock with the PHD and busted one today.

Don't know about the grading, I just bought same size (5/16) at the local hardware store.

David

 

[slowrev]

I just buy the unmarked cheapo bolts at TSC, grade 2 I think ? I believe it is safer to try the softer ones first and see how they do. Too hard of a bolt and you might break your gearbox, either on the hog or in your tranny /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I would also recommend a slip clutch on your hog.

Ben

 

[Cottonhawk]

I broke one last summer. It's the bolt connecting PTO to the gears in the gear box. It broke into three pieces and the gear box was fine. The bolt is fairly easy to replace.

 

[BB_TX]

1. Yes, it does a good job of protecting the gear box and the tractor PTO drive.
2. What does you manual state? Most, I think, use a grade 2 (soft) bolt. That is what I use and, yes, I keep several on hand. I will shear one every 10-20 or so hours of mowing.
Here's <font color="blue"> some info </font> on bolts.

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

Grade 2 bolt with a lock nut or double nut's to keep it from working loose works well.

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply

 

[450EXC]

I tried a grade 5 on my snowblower. It didnt break anything but the bolt mangeled, not a clean shear. 4 hours later I had it apart and put a grade 2 in.

 

[Highbeam]

Grade two. Note the marking on the head of the current bolt. The number of marks dictate the strength. The owner's manual should also specify.

I paid the extra 100$ for a slip clutch so I don't have to stop mowing to replace a busted shear bolt. My luck, the new one would fall out of my pocket into the grass or I would not have one when needed. You can always add a slip clutch later if you find that the shear bolt system stinks.

You can hit stumps and rocks. The brush hog is a magnificent machine and quite a brute. Be careful though as rocks can be shot out the rear of the hog. I have shot rocks the size of baby heads for hundreds of feet. Seriously, that could kill someone.

Go slow at first and prepare to get that holy smokes feeling.

 

[crown]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Grade two. Note the marking on the head of the current bolt. The number of marks dictate the strength. The owner's manual should also specify.

I paid the extra 100$ for a slip clutch so I don't have to stop mowing to replace a busted shear bolt. My luck, the new one would fall out of my pocket into the grass or I would not have one when needed. You can always add a slip clutch later if you find that the shear bolt system stinks.

You can hit stumps and rocks. The brush hog is a magnificent machine and quite a brute. Be careful though as rocks can be shot out the rear of the hog. I have shot rocks the size of baby heads for hundreds of feet. Seriously, that could kill someone.

Go slow at first and prepare to get that holy smokes feeling. )</font>

Well said, You do get a real since of power when using a brush hog, likewise there are those times when you are quite jolted and and momentarily scared. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[3RRL]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Go slow at first and prepare to get that holy smokes feeling.)</font>
That's a great description! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif