bradco ground shark

CLPJR · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks for the information! I have been researching them for a while and this seems to fit best for what I need. Now just to get in touch with a dealer to get things going.

PhillipAL · Jan 21, 2016

I have been running my new Bradco Ground Shark for about 2 months and I'm having trouble with the carbide teeth loosening after hitting rocks. They are torqued properly when installed and blue loctited. Have you had trouble with this? Also, I am looking for a way to remove and install them without a second person holding them in place while tightening.

lumberjack1986 · Jan 22, 2016

The easiest way I've found to do them solo is to pull the blade carrier... It doesn't take long with an impact, even in the field.

It's far easier to use 2 people, a wife or child works fine in my experience! It's not hard, just need another hand.

I've not had problems with them loosening after hitting metal or concrete... Not much rock here. I don't use loctite.

Xfaxman · Jan 22, 2016

PhillipAL said:
I have been running my new Bradco Ground Shark for about 2 months and I'm having trouble with the carbide teeth loosening after hitting rocks. They are torqued properly when installed and blue loctited. Have you had trouble with this? Also, I am looking for a way to remove and install them without a second person holding them in place while tightening.

Don't know if it will work in your situation, but I use vice-grips or a wrench and a large c-clamp when I need a an extra hand.

lumberjack1986 · Jan 22, 2016

Except the outside teeth, there's nothing to hook too.

I've thought about a magnet to hold them in place, but so far it's easier to just have a helper in the shop.

PhillipAL · Feb 2, 2016

Thanks for the help. I think I'll try finding a strong magnet. I work alone most of the time and occasionally need to change teeth on the job.

patricku421 · Feb 9, 2016

I'm glad to find that this thread was somewhat active after I found it through a google search. I am thinking of renting one of these on a machine from my local bobcat dealer to run through and clean up about 2 acres of brush and pine tops from when I had some timber cut. Does anyone see any reason why this wouldn't work for what I am trying to do? I hate to spend the money to rent the machine just to find out it isn't going to get the work done.

Thanks!

PhillipAL · Feb 9, 2016

Make sure to put this mower on the largest machine they have. More power the better. It should do fine once you get the hang of operating it properly to get the best finish product. These are awesome mowers!

retrieverman · Feb 25, 2016

I've put about 140 hours on my Ground Shark, and I'm on the fence as to whether I'll keep it or try something else.

The first problem was the pressure gauge breaking, and I plugged the hose and continued to work...not really a big deal. The second problem has been the bolts holding the blades shearing off, and I've probably replaced all of them at least once. The third problem has been keeping the stump grinding teeth tight and from coming out, and there are no rocks or concrete where I've worked.

For just "underbrushing", the GS is fine, but in my opinion, it's not heavy duty enough for "brush clearing". For $10k, I expected more.

lumberjack1986 · Feb 27, 2016

retrieverman said:
I've put about 140 hours on my Ground Shark, and I'm on the fence as to whether I'll keep it or try something else. The first problem was the pressure gauge breaking, and I plugged the hose and continued to work...not really a big deal. The second problem has been the bolts holding the blades shearing off, and I've probably replaced all of them at least once. The third problem has been keeping the stump grinding teeth tight and from coming out, and there are no rocks or concrete where I've worked. For just "underbrushing", the GS is fine, but in my opinion, it's not heavy duty enough for "brush clearing". For $10k, I expected more.

My pressure gauge's dial inside is loose, but the needle still works and no leaks.

The only time I've had trouble with shearing bolts is when the stupid safety chain got on top of the disk. I cut it off and haven't had a problem since.

I've had no trouble with loosening teeth, and I've hit plenty of metal and concrete with them.

I've used mine to cut a lot of oversized trees. The biggest hardwood stump diameter I've made was 16" (10-12"dbh) and I cut a bigger pine on a golf course in a demonstration (probably 14-15" dbh).

I've been very happy with my Ground Shark but I'll be selling it because I don't use the track loader enough to justify keeping it (270 hours in 23 months) at this point. Also, I've made a heavy investment into the residential tree side of my company with a rear mount grapple truck.