Mowing 422 Brush Cutter Blade Bolt Broke Again

[BobRip]

Not for the first time one of the bolts on my brushcutter blade broke today. I have had problems with these from day one. I was thinking about doing a modification. I could use grade 8 bolts. I could put larger bolts in the holes and leave out the bushings. Are there any suggestions?

 

[sweettractors]

Not for the first time one of the bolts on my brushcutter blade broke today. I have had problems with these from day one. I was thinking about doing a modification. I could use grade 8 bolts. I could put larger bolts in the holes and leave out the bushings. Are there any suggestions?

I would check my slip clutch and make sure it is slipping? If these set out in the weather or are stored inside, the clutch discs will attract moisture and condensation and rust up. Back settings off until they slip and then reset to where you get occasional slipping in real difficult conditions. Ken Sweet

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sorry sweet. Different kind of machine. Fully hydraulic mowers.

So today, I broke another bolt myself. Grade 8. I will say I break less of them with 8's, but they still break. Bigger PITA is the lost blades, or spacers if I am lucky. My blades are custom made so another big PITA.

The only real cluge I can think of is changing out how the mower funtions. Get the bolt heads unexposed (on the top) but that ain't gonna happen.

 

[MossRoad]

I've probably broke half a dozen over the last 9 years. The only time they break is when I hit a large rock or stump repeatedly. The last time I ordered hydraulic filters, I also ordered two blades and quite a few spacers. That got me over the $50.00 pretty quick! :laughing: I am not sure what you could do to lessen the breakage. I do know that once I have an area cleared, I don't break any more in that area. The pain is getting the broken piece out. I am tempted to put the bolt in from the backside and use nylon locknut on the blade side. At least that way I can get the bolt out from the inside. I am also tempted to see if I can drill a hole in the top of the deck just big enough to get a socket in there so I can take the bolts out from the top without removing the 5 lug bolts and dropping the entire hub.

 

[MossRoad]

I would check my slip clutch and make sure it is slipping? If these set out in the weather or are stored inside, the clutch discs will attract moisture and condensation and rust up. Back settings off until they slip and then reset to where you get occasional slipping in real difficult conditions. Ken Sweet

Ken,

Here's a link to a couple videos of the little beast in action...:thumbsup:

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_brushhoguphill.wmv

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425MultiFloraRose.WMV

 

[sweettractors]

Ken,

Here's a link to a couple videos of the little beast in action...:thumbsup:

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_brushhoguphill.wmv

http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425MultiFloraRose.WMV

David, Thanks for the educational videos. That machine is awsome. Ken Sweet

 

[BobRip]

Well, I guess I will use an easy out to get the old bolt out. I should probably get some grade 8 bolts to. This bolt had been in there a while, so maybe it's not so bad. I should probably replace the bolts in pairs when one breaks. Still we should give this some thought. We can do better. More suggestions please. What is really the purpose of the spacer? It does not really turn in the blade. Why not just a hole?

 

[ponytug]

MR- I like the idea of a small cutout hole that you could rotate the mower head to and change the bolt with a socket drive from on top.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

David, Thanks for the educational videos. That machine is awsome. Ken Sweet

Hee hee! It is a fun machine to operate and just right for my needs. :thumbsup: If I had to do things like plowing dirt or pulling stumps, I would have gone with a more conventional tractor. But for our needs, lawn mowing, snow plowing, mulch hauling, brush cutting trails and firewood gathering, this thing is unbeatable. The larger units are, well, larger and even more impressive!

 

[MossRoad]

MR- I like the idea of a small cutout hole that you could rotate the mower head to and change the bolt with a socket drive from on top.

All the best,

Peter

Yeah. I think it would be a lot easier to replace bolts from the top with an air impact wrench. If it doesn't work and I break more nylon nuts off I can always switch back. The only thing I have to worry about is if the hole I have to cut will weaken the deck. Being a circle it shouldn't be a problem as long as there is adequate metal left on all sides of the hole. If I were to do it, I would also put an access cover on the hole, as the thing really tosses the debris around and I could see filling up the hub pretty easily with dirt and chips. :licking: