Another Stupid Tractor Trick

[Alan L.]

I picked up an angle grinder and got my brush hog blades sharpend - no problem. In order to keep the blades from turning while I grinded them I put my floorjack handle through the u-joint of the pto shaft. This is what happens when you engage the pto without first removing it.

Alan L., TX

 

[scruffy]

Alan, are you in your inventive mood again? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Looks like you've invented a new creative language producer there! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif Hope damage was not severe.

 

[Bird]

That's great, Alan./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I use my wrecking bar instead of the jack handle; much stronger, and I have this fear that I'm going to do the same thing you did someday./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[banjobj]

Good thing the handle gave. Hope you didn't do any serious damage.

 

[Alan L.]

Fortunately I engaged the pto slowly at low RPMs and it immediately killed the tractor. No damage to the tractor or cutter.

Alan L., TX

 

[scruffy]

Alan, thats great to hear! I had 'visions' of major damage to your pto gear box with that picture!

 

[s1120]

DOOOOOHHHHHH

Don't you hate when you do something like that.

 

[lblair]

When i shapen my blades still on the mower with a grinder like that i raise the cutter to the max. Set a chunk of firewood under the blade and lower the cutter till it just touches the wood. Grind away and the blades wont spin. Raise the cutter and roll to the next blade then lower again. It works fine. I just lower it enough to just rest on the fire wood so not to bend anything. You could have flung that jack handel quite a distance if it came out just right....good luck and play safe!

 

[Alan L.]

Sounds like a better idea. I think I'll try that next time.

Alan L., TX

 

[john_bud]

Alan,

Not to be "picky", but don't forget to use 4 strong jack stands to hold up that cutter any time you crawl under it! We'd hate to lose you!


John Bud

 

[jinman]

Alan, I used to sharpen my blades with the cutter attached, but I always disconnected the drive shaft from the tractor, because when I raised the cutter enough to get under it, often the shaft would impact the top of the cutter (Ford Jubilee PTO spline is lower than new tractors). I'd suggest that because that will remind you to take out your "keeper" before you engage the PTO. Also, I find it's a lot less work and a heck of alot more convenient to take the cutter off the tractor and lift it up to vertical using the FEL. For anyone without a FEL, a boompole works just fine too. I just lean mine up against a tree and get after it. ...my two cents worth.

JimI