Rotary Cutter 6' KK rotary cutter problem!!

DK35vince · Sep 12, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

I have a King Kutter 6' brush mower (added the slip clutch when new). I also have the electric/hydraulic PTO.
When I hit the PTO switch the cutter does start up rather hard/quick, I make sure I start the cutter at idle speed . Maybe its the slip clutch but I have never had any type of problem getting the cutter started and up to speed in the 3 years I've had it.
My opinion is add a slip clutch, sheer pins s***..

jimg · Sep 12, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Never mind...I was thinking multi-spindle. It never dawned on me that the blades on a single would collide. How excatly would that happen though unless engagement was jerky? I guess this plays into my question about why doesnt push button engagement have anything to do w/ it.

Grizzman · Sep 12, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

I was just contacted by KK, here is their solution to the problem. Install a grade 5 shear pin. That is not a solution in my opinion. I asked about blade and PTO damage, they said don't worry about it all blades do it even Woods and Bushhog. Looks like I will have to listen to the blades hit everytime I engage the PTO. They lost a future customer, I will never buy
another KK product.

JerryG · Sep 12, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Grizzman,
The problem is not with your brush hog. The problem is with the harsh engagement of the PTO by the tractor. If the PTO engaged smoothly, the the blades wouldn't hit each other. A harder shear bolt or a slip clutch is the only solution that could be applied to the mower. Any other solution would have to address the real problem with the tractor.

Nightrain1 · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Grizzman, is'nt your 4110 like my 3510, in that it has a manual and auto override on the pto? If it is in auto, you can ease the clutch out to get the cutter's gearbox turning, then I slip the switch back to manual so the clutch won't disengage the cutter. Then again, what do I know since I have about 5 hrs on its clock?

norgeman · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Grizzman, I don't have a solution to your problem being new to tractors but I do have a 5 ft KK finishing mower attached to my JD 3320 which also engages with a switched pto and have encountered no problems at all with the blades hitting/ Earl

Farmwithjunk · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Just as a point of reference, I own a Woods BB840 and a Woods MD72 cutter. The blades are about 1" from being able to touch each other when both folded towards the middle. I'd suspect that's the way they SHOULD be.

How much "over-lap" do the King Kutter blades have? If it's just a matter of "barely touching", I'd consider grinding a scant bit off the ends of each blade, 'till they no longer touch.

In no event would they ever NEED to be able to touch each other.

skipmarcy · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Grizzman, sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with your cutter. Some of the guys are laying blame to the PTO engagement on your tractor, and it may very well be part of your problem, but personally I haven't had any problems from PTO engagement on my 4110. I run an old Howse 6' cutter on mine and the grade 3 shear bolt that's in it right now has been in there for at least the last 50 to 75 hours of cutting I've done, maybe even more, and I have done some mighty heavy cutting - I'll have to replace the bolt from normal wear before long!! On my 4110, I use manual engagement at idle and the engagement is quick but not instantaneous - just a slight hydraulic cushion is what I would call it as opposed to dead mechanical on & off. My cutter starts without noise etc. but you do have to get a little RPM's up to straighten the blades out, especially if they have grass etc. wrapped around the blade bolts. The cutter will shake pretty bad until the blades get straight but it should only take a couple seconds at anything over 1,000 rpm's engine speed. One foolish question but it is a mistake anyone could make - you are putting your PTO lever into 540 and not 1,000 range? Just thought I'd ask. Good luck.

steveinmo · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Grizzman,

I'm wondering if maybe the mounting holes in the blades are oversize. That would allow the blade(s) to sag down and possible hit when initially engaged. As they speed up, the centrifugal force would raise them up and not interfere.

Just a guess as you've got us grasping.

Steve

Grizzman · Sep 13, 2005

Re: 6\' KK rotary cutter problem!!

Skip

It is in 540. Maybe putting the PTO in Auto and easing out on the clutch will help. I have been running it in manual. For now I will go with a grade 5 bolt and in the near future I will buy KK slip clutch option for my mower. I kick myself for not buying a better mower but at the moment I could only afford the KK. I will trade it in next year for a Bushhog Squealer or something comprable. Just thought the folks at KK would have tried to make it right instead of blaming the PTO of the tractor. They are having the same issues with NH tractors. A simple fix would be to have one blade offset to miss the second blade at startup. Seems a simple fix to me but I am not a mechanical engineer, could be more to it. Again I appreciate all the responses and suggestions from you guys.