back end of bush hog busted

MississippiMan · Nov 1, 2017

I have run over some hidden stumps and logs so the rear body of my cutter is bent way out of shape and some welds have split.

I tried hitting some of the areas with a 20 pound sledge but they would not budge. In fact it was dangerous the way the sledge flew up like I hit a spring or something.Not sure what to do. Perhaps a torch to heat the steel? Any ideas? Thanks.

M5farms · Nov 1, 2017

a hydraulic jack and a I beam spanned over the mower between 2 tractors should be enough weight to allow the jack to push everything back in place

rustyshakelford · Nov 1, 2017

MississippiMan said:
I have run over some hidden stumps and logs so the rear body of my cutter is bent way out of shape and some welds have split.

I tried hitting some of the areas with a 20 pound sledge but they would not budge. In fact it was dangerous the way the sledge flew up like I hit a spring or something.Not sure what to do. Perhaps a torch to heat the steel? Any ideas? Thanks.

If it's bent up pretty bad and you have the capabilities, I would cut it out and weld in some heavier 1/4" or thicker material. Can run some angle iron to give it more strength also. If not, add some heat and it should form easier.

Brett

CobyRupert · Nov 1, 2017

I've never split a weld (yet), but have bent the vertical lip & pushed it into the blades a couple times. To unbend, I've chained one side of the mower to a tree (to anchor)*, and then used a come-along on the other side to "straighten" ("good enough") the other side.

*: Anchored so that you're not putting a side twisting force on your 3 point hitch. 3 pth's aren't built to be pulled from the side.

Tractorable · Nov 1, 2017

I backed my Bush Hog Squealer into a stump once, bent the back in and the blades impacted the metal doing some damage.

My neighbor and I hung it from his car lift and I beat on it using the concrete fooor as backing until it was straightened out good enough. I then took my grinder with cutting wheel and removed any sharp edges of metal and sprayed it with primer.

EddieWalker · Nov 1, 2017

Might consider taking it to a welding shop. I'm always afraid of what they charge, but every time that I've done it, I've found it to be more then worth what they wanted. Especially given that it's better then before, and I'm confident that it will last. Sadly, I tend to fix things several times when I do it myself.