Bush hog busted?

clemsonfor · Apr 9, 2012

There was a "bolt" in it cause thats waht a "shear pin" IS. For your size tractor you need to use a grade 2 bolt. If it was a bigger tractor you can use a grade 5 but DO NOT use a 5 in your tracotor. Other wise next time you may be writing about how to replace busted PTO gears or what to do about a busted gear in your bush hog. Go get a hand full of bolts and nuts and keep them on your tractor so that if it happens again you just punch the old half out and put a new on in there.

Bartcephus · Apr 9, 2012

Most of the time a grade 2 bolt is what is specified. A hardened bolt may damage the shaft more than the specified grade 2 bolt, and/or likely shears at a higher torque on the PTO. I'd go with the softer grade 2 if it were me.

stoatspur · Apr 9, 2012

Please don't use a "hardened" bolt. That would be a grade 5 or 8 and neither is good as shear protection. 4520RX is right. So is BARTCEPHUS. If you are going to use a hardware store bolt, make sure it is a grade 2. Grade 2 is soft enough to provide shear protection. 5 or 8 may/will not shear, thus not protecting your equipment.

clemsonfor · Apr 9, 2012

most say only to use a grade 5 bolt in a larger say 55+ hp tractor as their gears are tougher to take the HP. BUT the bush hog may not be? Like i and others said take that 5 outta there, it would be fine if in an area known to be rock free to get you through a day but you NEED to put a grade 2 bolt in there.

Ginormous · Apr 9, 2012

... unless you're looking for a good excuse to buy a new tractor.

clemsonfor · Apr 9, 2012

Or if your lucky a new gearbox for your bush hog.

stormpetrel · Apr 9, 2012

Ok, I'll put a #2 bolt in. But......won't a hardened bolt shear quicker, due to being more brittle? Any metallurgists out there that can answer this?

clemsonfor · Apr 9, 2012

stormpetrel said:
Ok, I'll put a #2 bolt in. But......won't a hardened bolt shear quicker, due to being more brittle? Any metallurgists out there that can answer this?

NO it will shear at a higher PSI due to having a HIGHER shear strength!! higher grades are stronger in shear strength and tensile strength. I promise. My bush hog (Jbar brand) manual says to use "grade 2" bolts i think its 3/8 size? if you dont trust us that much i can copy it if i ever find it but you can just look up Bush hog brand online, they post all their manuals, and you can look it up, or look at king kutter they all take bolts, grade 2!!

stormpetrel · Apr 9, 2012

clemsonfor said:
NO it will shear at a higher PSI due to having a HIGHER shear strength!! higher grades are stronger in shear strength and tensile strength. I promise. My bush hog (Jbar brand) manual says to use "grade 2" bolts i think its 3/8 size? if you dont trust us that much i can copy it if i ever find it but you can just look up Bush hog brand online, they post all their manuals, and you can look it up, or look at king kutter they all take bolts, grade 2!!

It's not that I don't trust anyone,it's just a question based on my own experience with softer metals that bend and don't break, where harder metals crystallize/snap real easy because harder metal usually = more brittle metal. Just curious. You did see where I wrote I would put a grade 2 bolt in, right?

kenmac · Apr 9, 2012

I have sheared many bolts. I use the cheap bolts from Lowe's / hd. I have several spares on hand.

Haven't seen you around in a while
By the way Grapple is working GREAT !