brush hogging problems

[Farmwithjunk]

Not trying to start another contest so please nobody take it as such, I cut bahaia grass here in Fla and if I dont sharpen my blades once a year it seems like I am beating the grass down rather than cutting it. Greenmule you are very fortunate to have the kind of grass you do or a heckuva good set of blades. Anybody else have to sharpen yearly?

Depending on what we're mowing, we grind blades as often as once a week. In sandy conditions, quite frequently. Rocks play havoc on blades too. Quality of cut suffers if blades aren't kept in decent condition.

 

[smitty9266]

Yearly...Yearly... I remove mine every 3 mowing's sharpen blades apply
never-seize to the bolts and put the blades back on. Mows great... grass looks good, weeds look good, and blade bolts are always easy to remove.

Jeff

 

[eastexan]

Not trying to start another contest so please nobody take it as such, I cut bahaia grass here in Fla and if I dont sharpen my blades once a year it seems like I am beating the grass down rather than cutting it. Greenmule you are very fortunate to have the kind of grass you do or a heckuva good set of blades. Anybody else have to sharpen yearly?

I agree, Lineman. Bahia grass is very tough. There was a strip of Bahia along the road where I used to live, years ago. Back then, I had an old 9N Ford with a 5' HiCo cutter. If I let the Bahia get too high, the old tractor would really struggle to cut it. I had to crawl along in 1st gear with it really revved up, and even then I would have to stop and let it recover at times.

I have some Bahia where I live now, but I have a Ford 3000, and it don't bog down like the old 9N did. But still, if I don't keep the blade constantly sharp, it will do as you said. It will just beat the grass down and the cut will be uneven.

 

[greenmule]

Well I'm sure putting a little edge on my 7 year old blades that have been cutting 10-12 acres 3-5 times year would help,but it still does cut pretty good,probably ain't cut 1/4 acre of real brush with it,and you could count on probably one hand the times I've hit rocks or stumps,so just depends on how you use it.

Figured maybe this fall to put new ones on,not going to try and remove nuts/bolts with a wrench either,going to just cut them off with torch.

Every now and than you buy a tool that has been worth more than you paid for it,this kk light duty cutter is one of them,still think you can buy a 5 ft one for under a thousand.
After thinking about it,its probably closer to 9 years than 7.

 

[Conservation]

I saw in another thread someone had done what I had thought of doing: Put a set of boggie wheels on the front of the mower to keep it from doing the scalping thing. Placement would have to be in front unless I wanted to stay well away from fences etc. Anyone else do this?

 

[PSDStu]

Not trying to start another contest so please nobody take it as such, I cut bahaia grass here in Fla and if I dont sharpen my blades once a year it seems like I am beating the grass down rather than cutting it. Greenmule you are very fortunate to have the kind of grass you do or a heckuva good set of blades. Anybody else have to sharpen yearly?

I'm right there with ya Lineman on cutting Bahia! I have about 5 acres of my own to cut, plus I also take care of mowing about 50 acres for a neighbor. As you and others well know cutting bahia is like cutting rope, and besides having to sharpen blades fairly often, it also means I have to go a little slower to get a decent cut. Thankfully I don't have rocks to deal with.......but if you want to talk about fire ant mounds.....now I got plenty of them to level.... and after a good thunderstorm they will be all over the place!

 

[pitt_md]

I'm not getting mad.....Why? ARE YOU? In fact, I'm starting to laugh at some of what I'm reading.

You say setting the mower (correctly) "my way" makes the front end too low.... Not sure why you'd say that, as it can be set at ANY height you so desire, from dragging the ground to all the way raised. Once again, your mowing height is determined by 3-point hitch and set at height needed. THEN the rear of the mower is set 1" to 2" higher, gauged by the tailwheel(s). It's not rocket science.

Not sure what "book" you're referring to (Possibly MAD Magazine???? ) I'm referring to owners manuals and tech service bulletins from Bush Hog, Alamo Group (Shulte/Rhino/Alamo) Woods, Landpride, ect...... As well as the commonly accepted (and often posted) successful methods of MOST end users of bush hog type cutters.

What I find so strange is, I know probably 20 people (Locally and on TBN) who own a KK 5' mower. NONE, NOT ONE of them relates any simular set-up problems you're having.

FWJ,
you can buy them books and send them to school but if all they do is eat their lunch...

 

[greenmule]

Well,here we go,I did not bring up books first,the old senior grass cutting champion did,

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Well,here we go,I did not bring up books first,the old senior grass cutting champion did,

First, let's address your rude, condescending attitude. There's no place for that here. Act like an adult or go find the Chuckie Cheese Tractor forum. If you want to get nasty about this, hang on to your hat, 'cause you're WAAAAAAY outta your league, jr.

Secondly, YOU were the one who brought up "books". (And have yet to explain WHAT books your vivid imagination has in mind.) I've named my sources. They aren't fictitious "books". They're tech service manuals and owners manuals from the manufacturers of the best of the best in regards to bush hog cutters, not some wild-azz nonsense conjured up by someone who only imagines they know of what they speak.

 

[cowboy357]

I,m Curious Farmwithjunk , you Mention Grinding Blades . MY BH just look kind of like flat maybe a little Rounded Edges , Has Since it was new . It Cuts Fine From Tall to almost Like a Finish cut . Are You Saying it Would be Better if They Were Ground ?

I Only Mow about 12 Acres About once a Week or so in The Rainy season , Less in Times Like right now . Any Chance You Could Explain it or Posablly Post some Pics of how You do it ( Grinding or Sharpening ) ?

I Also have a Finish Mower that I Keep the Blades sharp on . Just Stumped on the BH , Thanks for any Info. Bob