Rotary Cutter bush hog not cutting

[JDGirl]

Thank you. I'll start reading this today.

 

[JDGirl]

Thanks Jay. That's what I thought...they should still work even if there were no lube in the gearboxes. Would not know what a clutch on a bushhog would look like. I'm going to post those pictures now.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Ok, now before doing anything else, check that shear bolt again. You may have sheared it again. If it is still in the holes, put a wrench on each side and see if you can turn one side without the other turning. My bet is that you tried to start it with too high RPM on the tractor and sheared it again. Sometimes you have to pry them out when they shear off. If you can get one side out, then use a new bolt or small drift punch to remove the other side ( you will have to get it all lined up again to get a punch in the hole in the shaft.
You should be just above idle when putting it in gear. If it stalls the motor increase by about 100 rpm till it starts without stalling. If you have one of the new tractors with electric push button engagement, they are hard on shear bolts. Either way, if you have the old lever install, easy out on the clutch to start it letting the clutch slip a bit till the mower gets up to speed a little then ease on out. You have a lot of inertia to overcome and by your post you must have something wider than 7 foot if it has multiple gear boxes.

 

[JDGirl]

I found an old faded tag on side that says: Gyro Shredder and Chopper

I believe this is an old Servis Gyro 140 from the 1960's.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

That unit was made by Servis Equipment Company, which became Rhino. That's good news because (a) it is a quality tool, and (b) they might possibly still have parts for it. But it is really, really old - probably from the 50's or 60's.

 

[JDGirl]

Yes, I just found that info. I am sure my Dad knew it was worth saving no matter how ugly it is !

 

[JDGirl]

Thanks Gary. I'll try that next. That's good info about being just above idle when putting it in gear...My tractor is old (from the 1970's). Yes, I would say the mower is pretty wide.

 

[JDGirl]

Just found this info.... http://www.bosshardradio.com/mower/

 

[JDGirl]

Okay, I've been working all weekend on this. I drove the mower around and discovered that if I take a sharp left turn, the 2 drive lines begin spinning like crazy, but then stop after the turn...Any ideas??

 

[Gary Fowler]

I can only suggest that if it isn't another shear bolt broken, then put the pto in gear, tractor in gear with engine not running. This should lock everything down. Then try turning the blades from underneath and see what moves. If they all turn together when you move one, then the gear boxes should be good. There will normally be a bit of slack in them and you may be able to move the blades as much as 1/2 turn or more but at some point it should stop turning. If you have a helper or two, put them to either turning or watching to see which of the shafts move. At some point you will find that the shafts are moving on one side and stopped on the other. Then you can fix it or at least figure out what is broken.
An easy way to turn the blade might be to put a pipe wrench on the outside shaft and turn it with that and have some one verify that the blade is turning underneath. If you can turn the drive shafts at the outboard gearbox with the tractor PTO in gear there has to be a broken part somewhere maybe in the tractor itself (heaven forbid)