The downside of heavier blades

[woodlandfarms]

I am not sure you you guys with normal blades fare, but I remember little dents and dings on the hub when a blade let go going the wrong way.

Well, this happened to me today. After some bending I am still able to continue mowing, but this fall the mower is getting torn down and rebuilt. Given all my abuse I have dished out on it over the past 6 years (jeez, it feels like yesterday), probably not a bad idea.

 

[cqaigy2]

Ouch! Say, your bolt looks in pretty good shape.

Time flys, i can't believe you've had your PT for that long.

 

[SpringHollow]

Laughs - I keep telling people about 4 years. I did not realize it was 6 already.

Yesterday, I replaced a broken blade bolt. The left handed drill did not work to remove the broken stud but a snap-on splined stud extractor worked real well.

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

Wassat? A snapon spline extractor?

 

[SpringHollow]

E1020, Extractor Set, 20 pcs.

You can find them used on ebay

Ken

 

[BEK]

I have been using 4 standard brush hog blades installed in a "+" pattern on my 72 inch mower for 3 or 4 years now , however before installing them I reinforced the blade carrier with 1 inch thick steel plate as I was afraid that my carrier would end up like yours. I have had to make quite a few modifications to my mower over the years. Two major problems were the wheels and the hydro-motor. I have installed laminated brush hog tail wheels on all 4 corners. The entire blade drive system has been replaced as the 7 cu in wheel motor only turned at about 300 rpm and the bearings went out from the extra weight and impacts from hitting hidden objects. I installed a 75 horsepower speed increasing gear box (1:1.47) and a 6 cu in pto motor. The blades now turn at about 800 rpm, comparable with other brush mowers. I use this mower for cutting hay and for occasional brush mowing. The performance is drastically improved over PT's design. It mows hay from 2 feet down to 3 inches with no problem and my hydro oil temps are lower during operation.

 

[woodlandfarms]

You got some pix to share? All the stuff you write is is quite intriguing.

 

[BEK]

Pix of mods and sketch of the under side of the blade carrier showing the 1" X 2 1/2"steel reinforcements

 

[cqaigy2]

Like those tires!

 

[SpringHollow]

I use them as tail wheels on 3 pt bush hogs. They are not cheap! If anyone knows of an inexpensive source of them, please let me know. I am going to try some cheap wheels with tubes for the rear wheels and and tubes in my existing front wheels and see how that works.


Ken