Rotary Cutter Bush Hog / Mdl 285 / Blade

[SEEDSNTREES]

Hi,

How long do you think the original blades on a 285 will last cutting trail grass?

I have 10 hrs on the cutter, just thought about buying a spare set of blades.

Mower is not subject to rocks.

Thanks,

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Hi,

How long do you think the original blades on a 285 will last cutting trail grass?

I have 10 hrs on the cutter, just thought about buying a spare set of blades.

Mower is not subject to rocks.

Thanks,

Take your time. The originals will be around a LONG time. I've got a BH286 that I use here on the home place. Shortly after I bought it, I had a go-round with a big rock. That wasted BOTH blades. .....Rock about the size of a basket ball. it went between blade and deck. Made loads of NOISE. Bent the tips down. So I replaced them with new (Bush Hog blades, not aftermarket) 6 years of cutting since, roughly 60 to 70 hours per year, and they still look like new. And I DO have rocks.

It is a sound practice to remove & re-install the blades on that mower, in order to prevent the bolts from seizing. Remove 'em, use a "Never Seize" product, and re-install.

And if you do get new blades, get hi-lift blades. BH offers them.

 

[SEEDSNTREES]

Thanks,

I know you know more about this cutter than I do. I thought with an extra set of blades, I would swap them when I sharpen them.

Bush Hog as you may know, has been bought out, so thought I better get a pair while I can.

I believe you said to mow clockwise with this cutter, is that correct?

Thanks again,

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thanks,

I know you know more about this cutter than I do. I thought with an extra set of blades, I would swap them when I sharpen them.

Bush Hog as you may know, has been bought out, so thought I better get a pair while I can.

I believe you said to mow clockwise with this cutter, is that correct?

Thanks again,

I sharpen blades while they're ON the mower. MUCH less work for same end results. Raise the mower, shore it up with timbers OR VERY good jack stands. Grind edge with 4" angle grinder..... That can be done in a few minutes. Expect 10 times the amount of time if you remove/re-install blades each time.

Yes, I get better results mowing "clockwise".

Bush Hog was purchased by Alamo Group. They're the largest manufacturer of rotary mowers in the business. They bought Bush Hog because it's the "big name" in the industry. (Alamo Group is Alamo, Schulte, Rhino and Bush Hog (along with a few minor brands) They didn't make the investment just to drop the brand....I've been assured (From an "insider") that the Bush Hog brand is here to stay. They're now on firm financial footing again, so I wouldn't sweat that issue any longer.

Even at that, there are several aftermarket brand blades available.

 

[Travis_R]

I own a Bush Hog 285. It's a little over 2 years old. Just changed my blades the other day for the first time. Mowing "clockwise" with this cutter is the right way to mow because of the direction the blades turn. I get MUCH better results mowing this way. Took me a while to figure it out though...

Do you have, or have you had any problems with your slip clutch not slipping?

 

[LoneCowboy]

do NOT bother sharpening rotary cutter blades
They aren't cutting, they are "whipping" the grass/weeds/rocks at the very tip of the blade. it's NOT a lawnmower.

When the very outside tip wears down to a 45 degrees angle about an inch back on both sides, it's done, get new blades.

commercial use we usually get about 400 to 500 acres of ground cut (and realize the small 6' mower is cutting the edges, along piles, etc, it hits a LOT more crap). Just cutting grass would last a lot longer.

If your slip clutch isn't slipping it's seized up. You have to take it apart and make sure it's able to move. You will break something. (PTO shaft, drive shaft, lots of other expensive goodies). if it rains a lot where you are or is humid, they'll seize up quicker.

 

[franklinute]

I own a BH 286 and I sharpen the blades just like farmwithjunk. I use a set of vice grips to hold the back of the blades then sharpen with a 4" grinder. I think that it is worthwhile to put a good edge on the blades. It does give a much cleaner cut.

 

[SEEDSNTREES]

Thanks for the input.

How much forward rake do you apply to the mower? My mower is just about flat.

Lucky for me, I have no rocks to be concerned about, mowing about 3 inches.

For sure will try the clockwise rotation.

I was about ready to invest for a flail mower , but maybe this will help.

I don't think I have 10 hours on the Bush Hog 285.

Thanks Guys...

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I set mine with the front 1-1/2" to 2" lower than the rear. Soaks up less hp in heavy mowing conditions that way.

 

[Piston]

Yes, I get better results mowing "clockwise".

What does it mean to mow clockwise? Do you mean as if you are mowing a circular field, you would drive around the field in a clockwise direction? Why does that produce better results?

I'm a newbie mower trying to learn