Rotary Cutter Are your rotary cutter blades free swinging?

[BB_TX]

Due to family matters I have barely seen my land and tractor for the last 6 months. Finding myself with a few free hours this weekend, I decided to make sure my rotary cutter was ready for the new season.
As I suspected, my blades were "frozen" to the stump jumper (see before picture attached). After a good soaking with PB Blaster and a few persuasions with a substantial hammer, I got them to move.

 

[BB_TX]

Then some oil and working them back and forth quite a bit, they were free swinging again. I usually try to do this 2-3 times a year, but last year only did it at the beginning of the season. They were stuck hard enough that had I struck a stump or similar most of the shock would have been transferred to the gear box, PTO shaft, and tractor.

 

[EddieWalker]

Some times I see something so obvious it's embarassing how dump I can be. Tilting your bush hog on it's side to work on makes perfect sense, but it' something I've never thought to do!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now I feel real silly admitting this, but I always lift it as high as I can with my tractor and crawl under it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

DUH....

Thanks for the pictures, you just gave me a dose of common sense and a much easier way to sharpen my blades!!!

Hope I'm not missing out on too many other easier ways to do things.

Eddie

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Now I feel real silly admitting this, but I always lift it as high as I can with my tractor and crawl under it. </font>

Eddie,

When I read your post I remembered reading about a farmer who was working under his brush hog while it was held up by his 3PH, but who did not put jack stands under it.

He did not notice the slow drift down of the 3PH, and apparently got caught somehow and crushed to death...The article I read indicated the 3PH dropped SLOWLY, and reading between the lines I guessed the poor guy had time to think about what was happening... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Just thought I might mention this as it is a potential hazard that some of us might not realize is there...

 

[BB_TX]

Here is a side view of it. I always make sure it is tilted back and leaning against the FEL and the chains secure. No chance of it falling forward or backward. And I can stand up to do the work as getting up and down ain't as easy as it used to be. Heck a person could even pull up a chair if he wanted to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I always hate crawling under a car or truck even on jack stands. I would turn those up on their side if I could. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Edit: Don't look at my PTO safety shield. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Something ate it in half. Termites! Yeah! Those darn plastic termites. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are your rotary cutter blades free swinging? )</font>
yes, and no matter what I do, I can't get them to stop it! I caught them out the other day with several others just going at it. It was embarassing!


Good tips for those who've been getting under a lifted mower.
John

 

[beenthere]

It wouldn't take much cutting to loosen them up. I wouldn't bother with the extra work of PB blaster. But no harm done.

Your method is how I used my FEL for the first time - to sharpen the blades on the RC /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BB_TX]

Beenthere - Like you, I have always tilted it up to sharpen the blades. Just never liked the idea of going under. And whenever I sharpen the blades, I always oil the blade bolts and make sure they swing freely. Both to minimize the shock of impact and to minimize wear on the bolts and blade holes. Normally not much extra effort. But this time they were really stuck.

 

[RonMar]

They are easier to sharpen when they are stuck.

 

[BB_TX]

<font color="blue"> They are easier to sharpen when they are stuck </font>
You are absolutely correct. My first thought after freeing up my blades was "Why didn't you sharpen them first?" I seem to remember asking myself the same thing last year. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif