Bush Hog Dangers

NHeuro · Jan 3, 2006

Yes mowers are dangerous things
I have a finish mower and even when i hit a little stone it is catapulted very fast out of the mower.
So be careful and maybe you can put something before the mower.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 3, 2006

I see way too many people who have their rotary cutters set on too steep of an angle with the front too low and the rear too high.

The proper setting for a cutter is nearly flat with most operators manuals suggesting a rise to run slope of 0.5" to 1" of rear rise for ever 12" of cutter. So the proper setting for most brands of cutters is going to have the rear elevated only 2" to a maximum of 4" in relation to the front. Obviously the higher the rear is set, the more likely it is you will throw debris.

tractorwheel · Jan 3, 2006

I have a 5 ft. brush hog which may be somewhat smaller than some others. However for me it is plenty to handle. I am going to make the mudflap addition as well as put some expanded metal on the ROPS to help illiminate as much flying debris as possible. I will add pictures later.

And I wanted to say that I have learned alot from reading your posts. "keep on posting"! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

scott_vt · Jan 4, 2006

Hi Soundguy,
Anything thats cheap and works good is OK in my book /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I like the way that you moved that flap foward a bit I imagine to prevent plugging of the mower. I was actually planning on doing something similar on my Woods mower but I didnt have the foresight to move the flap foward /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks for a thrifty idea.

scotty

Farmwithjunk · Jan 4, 2006

( I see way too many people who have their rotary cutters set on too steep of an angle with the front too low and the rear too high. )

Give the man a cee-gar!

In some cases, they can be run even flatter than you suggested. I run mine (7'er) with but ONE inch rise front to back TOTAL. It works like a charm.

Some mowers are built with the blades up in the structure, and others run blades below the confines of the deck "housing". But when the tail-end is kicked up several inches, well, that's asking for a disaster.

wallace · Jan 5, 2006

We have all seen the state or a contractor cut the centers of the highway with tractors and cutters.
Here is Pa, atleast in our county they are not allowed to run rotary cutters they must use flails.

Highbeam · Jan 6, 2006

After seeing the rocks chucked from my own tractor I was amazed to see our WA state DOT in a fancy JD tractor brush higging the center median of a 4 lane highway. He seemed to have the hog setting low and flat. We are seeing a lot more mowing of the medians, shoulders, and ramp areas to minimize fire danger. It sure looks sharp when they're done.

Soundguy · Jan 9, 2006

( I like the way that you moved that flap foward a bit )

Also.. the front deck on the KK and the blade tips are darn close. in heavy brush, I was worried about contact with blade tip and flap contact. With it moved forwad, it is still out of the tires, and works nice. Due to the angle, I get 90% less 'dusty' debri pushed out the front.. and havn't had any hard chips fly out and hit my back since.

For 15$ or so.. it was a great deal.

Soundguy

flusher · Jan 14, 2006

Here's one way to add an expanded metal debris shield to a ROPS, in this case on my B7510HST. It's held on with hose clamps (no welding or drilling on the ROPS).

shepherd · Jan 14, 2006

not to steal the forum but every time we spread manure i ALWAYS get hit with tiny chunks but that looks like a really good idea to solve it /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif