Brush Cutter Repair

BobRip · Sep 18, 2007

RegL said:
Had to make the same repair on the 60" brush cutter. I used some old angle iron that was hanging around. I don't weld so went with bolts, nuts and big fender washers. Not as professional as you guys but I think it will hold. While I was at it, I did a mod I've been meaning to get to for some time. I moved the deck forward away from the front wheels of the tractor. That allows me to raise the rear of the deck while mowing, saving a ton of horse power. In my opinion the brush hog cuts way to close to the ground for field mowing, even with the rear wheels in the bottom holes. I mowed a field this morning with the new mod and cut it it about 25% quicker. The engine never bogged down, engine temp never went over 205 deg. and hydraulic oil was only warm to the touch. I would like to take credit for this idea but I remember someone on here did the same a while back.

I reinforced mine today with angle irons similar to yours. I brazed it together, but it was a pain. I think the bolts are a real good choice here. I wished I have put in a couple of bolts anyway to pull the pieces together where I could not get C clamps. You might want to consider bolts between the uprights and the new angle irons. I did this and I think it will add a lot of strength. I will post a picture later. Not quite finished yet. As usual I am not pleased with my brazing or welding. The torch works well on small objects, but not as well on large ones. I will keep trying, but may use more bolts in the future.

RegL · Sep 18, 2007

ponytug said:
Nice re-inforcing job. Did you think about connecting the brace to the front and rear wheels?

On a separate note, doesn't lifting the back fling more debris at you?

What's the little shield you have at the back?

All the best,

Peter

Thanks for the compliment on my crude patch-up job. I'm sure some of the fabricators on here could build a complete frame that would carry the deck rather than the deck being the main structure. There is some chance of getting stuff thrown back but I'm really only lifting the deck a small amount. That rubber shield in the rear of deck is one I stole off another brush hog I used to have.

RegL · Sep 18, 2007

KentT said:
Reg,

If you're looking for more cutting height, it looks like you might enough clearance on the back to go to about a 3" taller wheel. That would raise the cutting height 1.5"

Similarly, it looks like you could put a slightly taller wheel on the front if you needed to...

I don't know where PT gets these front wheel yokes -- but they're not the same size as my Howse landscaping rake, nor will the wheels/tire interchange... So, trying to find different aftermarket yokes might be a challenge.

Kent, your mind reading again! I have a set of taller wheels for the rear that I bought some time ago but with the deck in the original position they hit the front tires of the tractor. I was going to put them on this morning, before I went mowing, but they need a smaller diameter axle bolt. You don't really need bigger wheels in front to get the deck cutting properly. You just need to get the rear an inch or two higher than the front, the same as you would set up a 3pt or pull behind brush hog.