Brush Hog Stopped Mowing Suddenly

[AndyMA]

I was happily mowing some very hilly (and rocky fields) at the farm yesterday in anticipation of actualling getting to work on the house and barn that I have dreamed about for years. Everything was going "well" except for the occasional "rock crunch" and I just kept on mowing. The TN cab makes everything seem way too quiet compared to my open Ford 2120 which I am used to mowing with. Also the 75HP and the big torque reserve jsut seemed to be too much for the mower after hitting numerous rocks. See photo on next post for some of the damage that I didn't even notice until I noticed the mower wasn't cutting well (an understatement) Hey it was dark you know..

Now today I can't even get the blade bolts off with a 5' pipe on the end of the 18" 3/4" breaker bar. I guess the torch needs to come out.

Oh well lesson learned.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

The damage. No idea where the blades are. Also significient sheet metal damage.

Andy

 

[Soundguy]

Man.. i think you got too much tractor for that mower /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I don't think I've ever seen both blades break off at the bolts before /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Good luck!!

I sugest if you smoke wrench them.. to thenreplace them... instead of re-using them.

Soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

Yeah, not much edge left to sharpen.

 

[Gatorboy]

Now you've got a good excuse to buy a 15' batwing mower.

 

[1bush2hog]

What brand of mower is this and did it have a slip clutch or sheer pin?

Wonder what the inside of the gear housing looks like? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Another good reason to mow 'solo'! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[have_blue]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The damage... )</font>

Argh. Bummer. Hate it when that happens. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif


Just shows the difference in temperament among folks. If I had a suspicion that someone had thrown a rock or brick into my field, I would not crank my tractor until I walked it several times.

I guess when your land is rocky, you don't get alarmed or discouraged when you hit an occasional rock. If I ever hit a rock? I would shut down operations, examine my procedures, and launch a full-scale investigation! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck with the fix Andy.

 

[beenthere]

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'd suggest a change in your technique, unless this was the goal you had in mind. Can't imagine what kind or size of 'rock' or obstruction could rip off blades like that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Some part of this equation was not meant to be. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Tractor size
Soundproof cab
Speed
RPM
Operator
Rotary Cutter
Blades
Field debris
Field debris

 

[Knight9]

Bob,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would shut down operations, examine my procedures, and launch a full-scale investigation! )</font>


You wouldn't by chance be retired from a government job would you? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kevin

 

[Egon]

Chances are the next time you drive over the field the missing blades will find a new home??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Suggest we trade tractors as yours obviously has far to much power for your needs! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( See photo on next post for some of the damage that I didn't even notice until I noticed the mower wasn't cutting well (an understatement)...)</font>

Wow Andy, You should win a prize. I've never seen that happen before. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I think Soundguy's got a point...you got too much tractor on that mower. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey it was dark you know...)</font>

Maybe you need more lights too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Some part of this equation was not meant to be.
Tractor size
Soundproof cab
Speed
RPM
Operator
Rotary Cutter
Blades
Field debris
Field debris )</font>

You forgot:
maybe loud C&W or R&B or R&R music in said cab.
Plus the adult beverage component.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Chances are the next time you drive over the field the missing blades will find a new home??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Suggest we trade tractors as yours obviously has far to much power for your needs! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Yeah like in my tires you mean. Actually I know the TN75 has too much power for the 60" Bush Hog Squealer (which I typically run on a 2120 which has been awaiting a PTO part all summer) I spent most of the Summer sorta laid up with 5 broken ribs from takin a mistep off a 6 yard loader when it was up on a 4' high ramp and taking a rock into my side. Now that's real pain.

My fields are very rocky. I have been going around with the excavator and trying to derock them. Having run Bush Hogs for about 40 years, I will tell you that I've never broken both blades before either. This is a new Squealer. I try and miss the rocks but it is extremely hard especially in a Utility size tractor when the sun is going down and the fields are 2-3 years overgrown. On the large rocks, the "stump jumper" typically just grinds against them and makes a lot of noise. What actually happened here was that I apparently picked up a football size rock or two and carried them between the blade and housing. I suspect that had I been in a cabless tractor of smaller stature I would have heard it earlier and may have been able to save one blade. In all my years of mowing I've only broken about 5 blades before but I do push the mowers hard. The TN is clearly too much hp for the deck. Sorry guys no booze or country music to blame. Just typical New England rocky pastures with a lot of hills and 15 foot high roses to mow over.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now you've got a good excuse to buy a 15' batwing mower. )</font>

Love one for the open fields, but just a little big for the hills I was on and besides, just more blades to break. I think a Brush Hog with a 1/2" diameter nylon string would jump the rocks. Think it would work?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Andy

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Switch to chains, they will hold up better then nylon string.

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What brand of mower is this and did it have a slip clutch or sheer pin?

Wonder what the inside of the gear housing looks like? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Another good reason to mow 'solo'! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

)</font>

Gear box seems fine. Bush Hog Squealer. It wasn't the mowers fault. Too much tractor and rough conditions. I agree with the solo comment, a real good way to kill someone if anything flies out. I've stuck blades through 6" pine trees before.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

Robert I was half kidding about the rope. Are you serious about the chains? They actually sound like they would work??


Andy

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I have seen it done before but have never tried it. Shouldn't be too hard to try and shouldn't cost too much either. But you still need a bigger cutter for your TN /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[dennisthomas]

Ive never seen a broken bush hog blade before. when i was working at the tractor parts counter i saw them worn almost to nothing but never broken.

 

[Priz]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now today I can't even get the blade bolts off with a 5' pipe on the end of the 18" 3/4" breaker bar. I guess the torch needs to come out.
)</font>


I discovered this board because of this very same problem, after an hour with a jackhammer didnt break them loose, the blue wrench was the only obvious choice.