Bushhog Vibration

GreenWannabe · Jul 9, 2007

One other point I haven't seen mentioned here but have read about in other posts over the past week or so - the u joints on the pto shaft need to be in phase, that is, the yokes on both ends need to be aligned with each other. If they are out of phase, that can also lead to vibrations.

CARNEYM · Jul 9, 2007

I have a new 3130 with a 5 ft squealer. Mine is doing the same thing it was so bad in the beginning that I called the dealer. He said all of the bush hog squealers do it and not to worry. I don't know what causes it but like someone else said it did not do it all the time. I notice after I would run over something heavy, it would start for a few minutes, then smooth out.

Now after around 50 hrs, half of it bush hogging it has stopped, seems to be smooth now.

rdam · Jul 9, 2007

I checked the pan, and found some debris packed under one of the blade bars. The same amount of threads are showing where the blades pivot and there is a small amount of play (up and down) on the blades. It appears normal, allowing the blades to swing freely.

The cutter ran smooth, and I thought I had the problem solved. But, a couple hours into it, I shut down the PTO to move something, started it back up, and the vibration was back. Shut it down again, and re-engaged slowly before the blades and spun down...and it was smooth again...smoother, anyway.

Perplexing. I never had this trouble with the 6 footer. I may try pulling the driveshaft and rotating it 180 degrees (You can do that..right?).

I also will adjust the slip clutch according to the owners manual...as soon as I get the manual. It was not delivered with the tractor.

jbrumberg · Jul 9, 2007

rdam:

The difference in performance between the 5' and 6' RC's may be more a function of the physics of centrifical force

. Jay

Theowegian · Jul 10, 2007

rdam said:
....I also will adjust the slip clutch according to the owners manual...as soon as I get the manual. It was not delivered with the tractor.

You can get the Bush Hog, Squealer rotary cutter owners manual off the web:

Bush Hog®

border collie · Jul 10, 2007

jbrumberg said:
rdam:

Solid advise so far. I would grease the pivot points where the blades attach to the stump jumper/blade pan so that they swing freely. I would also check your blades for missing material. It does not take alot of "misbalance" between blades to make for vibration when running at speed. Jay

I've got an SQ-60 and also had occasional vibration, esp when the tail wheel was off the ground. Mine seems to have been cured by lubing where the blades pivot(just smear a shot or two of grease and rotate the blade), to allow free movement of the blades, I occasionally have to slow the engine and return to PTO speed to smooth it out.

rdam · Jul 19, 2007

border collie said:
I've got an SQ-60 and also had occasional vibration, esp when the tail wheel was off the ground. Mine seems to have been cured by lubing where the blades pivot(just smear a shot or two of grease and rotate the blade), to allow free movement of the blades, I occasionally have to slow the engine and return to PTO speed to smooth it out.

Since this was an easy project, I tried it. The blades move easier on the pan and that has substantially reduced the frequency of the problem. It's hard to get grease into the pivot. I was able to grease the area where the blade contacts the pan, but not the actual pivot point. I'll try to shoot some wd-40 in there.