Bush Hog

[Lubehead]

Hello, neophyte here has a question regarding a used Landpride bush hog I just purchased. The blades were tightened in such a manner that they do not swing freely. It appears it would be better if they did swing but the one fastener used for each blade does not allow the blade to swing.

I used the unit for the first time yesterday, (after shortening the driveshaft, changing the gear oil, greasing etc.) and was thrilled with the ease with which it cleared the retention pond I have to mow a couple times a year. Much less taxing than the first couple of times in which I used the MMM on my BX24. The 48" BH worked very well but the few times I hit a rock, the unit would go out of balance, and checking the blades, I found that one would be askew from the 180 degrees I has set the blades at. The unit would go out of balance and would ultimately balance again. So the question is should the blades be locked down tight or allowed to swing freely and if so how to allow them to swing?

 

[Bison]

They should swing freely.
Find out why they don't.

 

[Fixemall]

I agree, they should swing free, get it up in a safe spot and block the hog up. Remove the blades and clean all the paint from around the bolts and torque to factory specs, chances are they are just on too tight with too much paint around the swing area. BTDT
After you free em up level it and swap in some synthetic gear oil, 20 years from now you will be glad you did.

 

[Lubehead]

Perhaps I did not make myself clear. The fastener (bolt) has a lock washer and nut that one would assume should be tightened. By tightening this fastener, the blade position is set and it will not move. If I back off the nut to allow the blade to swing, then it is not tight and will eventually work loose. Of course I could use locktite on it and set it so the blade swings but it does not look lile the OEM preferred method. Alternately, if for example, the bolt and nut had a cotter key, that would allow me to fasten it in such a manner to allow the blade to swing freely, and not have the nut come loose.

We can talk about gear oil (and if what I'm using will last 20 years) another day.

 

[johnrex62]

Perhaps the original fasteners have been replaced at some point. The bolts on my Mowhawk brand have castle nuts and cotter pins.

 

[CarlR2010]

LH,
I have a Landpride brush cutter. My blades are held on by a keyed shoulder bolt. No matter how tight the nut is, the bolt does not clamp down on the blade. The blades should swing free.

I think your fasteners have been replaced. Get the original bolts or measure the hole in the mounting plate (diameter and depth) to get a replacement.

I'm afraid you will crack welds or shake the deck apart if run out of balance for long. Worse would be if the wrong bolt breakes and the blade is spit out!
Carl

 

[Lubehead]

Thank you both, I agree, the fasteners cannot be correct.

 

[Fixemall]

Thank you both, I agree, the fasteners cannot be correct.

Make sure your new shoulder bolts are high grade lots of guys use cheap stuff and create a hazard/expensive situation. If I understand now, the hog is new...I would find the PDF and check every fastener on it, the blade attachment might not be the only thing the assembler reached into the wrong bin for.

 

[twoone]

HI" Am running the same mower and I can tell you or sure the blades should be able to swing free the bolts that hold the blade have a shoulder on them it they were worn or the incorrect ones and replaced than there holding the blade the dealer has a bolt kit also the torque is unreal so you will need a impact gun to loosen them and a way to hold them underneath.

 

[tcreeley]

Check out this site for operator manuals/ parts manuals. I don't know if yours is there, but there is a lot of useful info. - It looks like a shouldered bolt - like someone said is the problem. - replaced with the wrong one.
Goodluck.

Land Pride Single Deck Rotary Cutters

 

[Bison]

Perhaps I did not make myself clear. The fastener (bolt) has a lock washer and nut that one would assume should be tightened. By tightening this fastener, the blade position is set and it will not move. If I back off the nut to allow the blade to swing, then it is not tight and will eventually work loose. Of course I could use locktite on it and set it so the blade swings but it does not look lile the OEM preferred method. Alternately, if for example, the bolt and nut had a cotter key, that would allow me to fasten it in such a manner to allow the blade to swing freely, and not have the nut come loose. We can talk about gear oil (and if what I'm using will last 20 years) another day.

The bolts should have a step in it,ie: thicker shank than the treaded part,the shank should be a bit longer than the blade is thick,the shank shoulder should bottom out on the mounting pad when the nut is torqued down and leave the blade free to swing.

That would result in the mounting hole to wear out (don't do it)

Alternatly you can slide a washer the same dia as the shank on the bolt tread to raise the bolt step a bit,or a longer bushing if that is used instead.

 

[LD1]

Pics are worth a thousand words.

You need something that looks like this

BLADE BOLT - Agri Supply

 

[twoone]

Referring back to link #9 that I sent you the shoulder bolt kit part you can get at your dealer is 66516 and if you just want one bolt it is p/n 1259. the blade swings free on this bolt you can NOT use a straight bolt or one that has a worn shoulder bolt . this bolt requires a torque of #420 ft lbs do not leave this bolt loose in order to let the blade swing or you might wear it. A bolt that does not swing will give you an unbalanced situation as well as being unsafe as well. Paul

 

[Lubehead]

Thank you LD1 and Twoone. It is all very clear now. I appreciate your posting. This is an example of the support offered by this forum and I appreciate your efforts.

 

[LD1]

Thank you LD1 and Twoone. It is all very clear now. I appreciate your posting. This is an example of the support offered by this forum and I appreciate your efforts.

No problem at all:thumbsup:

 

[twoone]

My pleasure.