Cutter blades

[1Lawman]

I mow my pasture with a 10' Bush Hog heavy duty 3 point cutter..I've never sharpened or replaced the blades..I've never abused the cutter and never mowed anything except grass..The blades are not gapped up but neither are they sharp...Does anyone here replace their blades or sharpen them and how much difference does it make?

 

[beenthere]

I consider mine a brush hog, and if it cuts brush, the blades are good to go.

If I were trying to mow grass, I'd consider a finish mower or likely sharpen the blades.

 

[whistlepig]

I have done it both ways. I have sharpened them finer than frog hair and I have run them for many years without sharpening them at all. If they give me a satisfactory cut on my pastures I leave well enough alone.

 

[Tx Jim]

One should not sharpen rotary mower blades razor sharp as the sharp edge will curl over and not cut grass well

 

[sunnyside360]

See my post here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/322283-p-t-o-r-p.html
This is more for cutting field grasses as opposed to cutting heavier brush. I use a metal angle grinder to sharpen blades for cutting grasses and let edges more blunt for cutting brush.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I sharpened the blades for my brother in law on his bush hog using the same pitch (about 45 degree angle) as factory. I put them down to a sharp edge but not necessarily razor sharp but just like a lawn mower blade. It sure made a difference in his cut. I was really surprised at the surface, not gapped up too bad considering all the rocks that have been hit with it. Those blades are definitely harder than lawn mower blades.
I need to do the same with my bush hog as all we cut is pasture grass and the occasional rock. It is just a bit more hard to handle since it weighs almost 2000 pounds whereas I lifted his with my B26 TLB.

 

[1Lawman]

This cutter is also about 2000#'s and the blades have never been off..Should I remove them to sharpen them or can it be done while on the cutter with an electric hand grinder?

 

[beenthere]

Different ways to do it, but pick one that is safe for you.
I tilt mine up on its side with the FEL.
If I didn't have the FEL, I'd use a block and tackle and tilt it up against a tree or post.

 

[TripleR]

We got into some metal with our ten foot Woods DS1260 cutter this year and tore the blades up, so we replaced them, otherwise just a touch up every few years.

 

[sunnyside360]

This cutter is also about 2000#'s and the blades have never been off..Should I remove them to sharpen them or can it be done while on the cutter with an electric hand grinder?

I always sharpen the blades while they are on the cutter. Raise the cutter with 3ph to max height, put a block under the rear of cutter just to be safe and use an angle grinder to sharpen each blade. Only takes a few minutes. Removing the blades can be very difficult and isn't really necessary.