Rotary Cutter Used brush hog - what to do before hooking up

[plaindave]

So I was able to pick up a used brush hog in really good condition for $100 at a local sale. Compared to many I've seen used this is in great shape, no holes in the deck or welds - looks like it was parked outside but taken care of.

I have no idea of the manufacturer other than it is painted red. Before I hook this up to the pto and start it turning, what should I look for? Just download a KK manual and see if their startup instructions are close?

 

[pjbci]

I would just give the blades a visual check, grease the pto and tail wheel, and check the oil level in the gear box. Sounds like you got a great deal.

 

[smstonypoint]

I would just give the blades a visual check, grease the pto and tail wheel, and check the oil level in the gear box. Sounds like you got a great deal.

I would add that you should check the slip clutch (and adjust as needed) if so equipped. Buy some spare shear pins if it doesn't have a slip clutch.

Steve

 

[gwdixon]

Grease the Zerks on the PTO shaft U-joints.

Make sure the PTO shaft slides in and out easily. Grease it or use WD40 or PB Blaster to loosen it up.

Make sure the PTO shaft is plenty long enough to fit between the tractor's connection and the mower's connection. It should overlap several inches to be safe.

Check the oil in the gearbox (as already stated). First to make sure it is full and then if is it milky at all, change the oil. Probably should do that anyway.

If you can get under it to look at the blades than make sure the blade bolts/nuts are tight. And if the stump jumper is held on with a bolt, check that too. Give them all a healthy torquing with a wrench - impact if you have one.

When starting it, do it at low RPM to diagnose any unusual vibrations or wobble.

$100 is an awfully good price for a decent mower. I'd be suspicious and give it a thorough going over.

 

[nickel plate]

Definately look at the inside of the deck and clean out if necessary. I use a chain hoist with a seperate safety strap in the shop to get it up high enough, lay down a tarp to catch the debris and use a long wood stick to dislodge the heavy stuff and avoid scratching the metal surface as a steel chisel or pipe would do.
Check the blade(s) for wound up wire, string, etc. Sharpening the blade(s) is a matter of choice and opinion. They can be a real pain to remove so I have used a side wheel grinder on the blades in place with good results to knock off the bumps and skim/feather the edges and still leaving a factory recommended blunt cutting edge.
Attaching to the tractor, check the PTO overlap. My Bush Hog manual says 6" minimum. Find a flat surface and adjust the tail wheel and deck for proper mowing angle.

 

[RickB]

Give them all a healthy torquing with a wrench - impact if you have one.

Torquing with an impact wrench is a contradiction in terminology. Use of an impact wrench all but guarantees that the user doesn't have a clue whether the fastener is torqued properly, too much, or not enough.
Impact wrenches are great tools for disassembly. Final torquing should be done manually.

 

[gwdixon]

Torquing with an impact wrench is a contradiction in terminology. Use of an impact wrench all but guarantees that the user doesn't have a clue whether the fastener is torqued properly, too much, or not enough.
Impact wrenches are great tools for disassembly. Final torquing should be done manually.

Except for those folks that have a torque wrench with different settings, who have checked the torque of those settings, and have a regulator to keep the air pressure a constant.

Ever try to manual torque a mower bolt on one of the blade nuts laying on your back under a mower deck or even through the deck? Don't bother to answer.

Torquing to 450 ft-lbs is neither a simple matter nor is a torque wrench that can accurately measure that value something generally available to a farmer. Over torquing is not really in the mix.

Your preaching may be appropriate for a number of applications but the one that is being discussed is to get it as tight as you can with an impact wrench so you'll be able to remove the nut(s) with the same impact wrench (hopefully).

 

[countryboycansurvive]

If it has a shear bolt I'd go ahead and replace it with one you know is the correct strength. Sometimes they get replaced with whatever bolt is on hand. Put one in that's too strong and you can do some serious damage.

 

[Bud Soda]

Two Bud Light's before getting on tractor. Two more 1 hr later.

 

[whistlepig]

Make sure the stump jumper isn't bent or loose. Check the universal joints on the PTO shaft for tightness. If the universal joints have slop in them replace them or the PTO shaft. A failed universal joint can cause the PTO shaft to come apart. A PTO shaft flailing around while still attached to the tractor is pretty dangerous.