4' King Kutter mfg brush cutter gearbox

[CCarr1945]

I have a 4' "Texas Red" brush cutter that says it was mfg by King Kutter.
I noticed the gearbox bolts have become loose.
The four nuts and the bolt that holds down the gearbox turn. I tried to tighten the nuts.
Under the mower is a "stump jumper" as they call it.
Are these bolts designed to be loose?
If not, what is the procedure to tighten them?
It looks like I would have to remove the stump jumper to get to the bolt heads?

 

[GManBart]

No, the bolts shouldn't be loose. You'll probably have to remove the large bolt holding the stump jumper, and blades in place...it's usually a tapered spindle, so it may take some effort.

 

[almaryholm]

Try grabbing nuts with vice grip wrench and pull up on nut as you turn...sometimes bolt head will jam underneath enough to let you tighten....

 

[k0ua]

Try grabbing nuts with vice grip wrench and pull up on nut as you turn...sometimes bolt head will jam underneath enough to let you tighten....

sometimes you can take an impact and tighten up bolts that spin. Just don't set the impact too high so that is will break the bolts if this does work. In other words set your impact on the lowest setting and put it on the bolt head and bump the trigger. The impact will spin so fast that sometimes the mass of the nut on the bolt is enough resistance to get the bolt to thread into the nut. Notice I said sometimes.. Can't guarantee this will work. But it doesn't cost much to try.. And if you don't have an air compressor and an impact.. Well, you need one. I have managed to take the fan nut off of a vacuum cleaner motor using this method, and there is no other method to do that.

 

[CCarr1945]

Thanks to all! I took it to the dealer who sold it to me years ago. One hour labor to remove the stump jumper and replace four bolts, sharpen blades and lubricate back wheel and gearbox. Runs smooth now. Only problem was forgot my money and had to make two 40 mile trips. :duh: