5ft brush hog on a 25hp compact

[caleb90]

It broke the blade right on the other side of the weld. Scary stuff. No is the question to buy a new blade pan and blades? Or part ways with it and sell for parts. Only have 260 into it, but i could fix it for 200-250

 

[jyoutz]

It was at idle which is 1400rpm. I may have to try turning idle down some

I typically turn my RPMs down to just above idle, engage pto switch, then raise RPMs to 540 pto speed. The cutter engages nicely without clunks or other noise.

 

[Ricn]

Late reply but..I ran an old JD very heavy brush hog on my 2501 but it was so well used up I bought a new Kubota 5ft brush hog and neither one has been an issue on this tractor bit seldom gets used on steep terrian either. I have loaded tires as well and like impliments being the same width as the rears. Have cut some darn tall grass too but keep the speed lower than shorter stuff. It gets the job done though and I'm happy with thr 5ft unit.

 

[oldnslo]

Just reduce engine RPMs before engaging pto switch.

I agree engage at idle but the OP said was at idle and still broke pin. This suggests engagement is still to abrupt.

I also presume is electric over hydraulic clutch not pure electric like lawn mower clutch.

If hydraulic I it believe would have an orifice to restrict flow into the PTO for controlling engagement speed. Problem is dealing with very small volume of fluid over potentially wide range of temperatures. If my tractor I would be researching if and where this orifice is located since the abrupt engagement is hard on both tractor and implements.

This is just me and my view, up to the OP to determine how bad the problem is.

 

[2manyrocks]

If someone tried welding the blade, what else did they do to this cutter?

 

[California]

Couldn't find the broken half of the blade? It likely went flying aerodynamically, like a boomerang. Look farther away. But replace it, it could be deadly if welded back and used some more.

If you have 18 hp at the PTO, there are people running a 5 ft rotary mower but you may need to take a lighter cut uphill or with heavy material.

My 18 pto hp Yanmar with 4 ft rotary mower occasionally requires taking a half-width cut under heavy conditions. Even so, I wish I had bought a 5 ft for its greater productivity.

Photo - the only time I overestimated and had to back up and try again at less width. Uphill, wet dense grass, was running at considerably less than pto engine rpm so maybe 14 pto hp.

 

[2manyrocks]

A new set of sharp blades will improve the cutting performance and safety, but you still have the issue to decide whether the heavy duty cutter weighs too much relative to your tractor and terrain. You still may have to slow down a lot to cut heavy vegetation close to the ground.

 

[caleb90]

I looked in a 200ft circle. Nothing. It didnt come out the front as im sure it would have hit the tractor. That sucker is gone

 

[California]

I'm sure you'll find it the next time you mow!

 

[oldnslo]

I'm sure you'll find it the next time you mow!

And with my luck in the rear tractor tire…