Downside of cutting holes in your mower deck

woodlandfarms · Apr 28, 2014

The back history is that mowing my property is a combat sport. I tend to break 3 to 6 blade bolts a year, if not more. It has always been a nightmare extracting the old bolts. So last fall when my mower blew a bearing I tore the whole machine down to just the metal deck, then pulled my torch out and cut holes so I could reach the bolt sticking out. I devised a few cobbled together tools and have been able to back drive out the broken bolts.

That is until today. So still mowing with the short, only one stall in 5 hours. But then bam, I hit a hidden 1" logging wire (they come up now and then) and sheared a bolt. Well quick back to the shop and I try to drive out the bolt. It won't go.... OK, so I have put hex head plugs in the other two holes so I get my hex driver and they don't budge either. Soak everything with penetrating oil, pull out the torch. Ended up having my heavy mechanic friend stop by and he reefed them out.

Anyway, here is the downside. I leave my mower out, under a big fir tree but it sits out. Well, these holes let water fill the mower drum. And well, now I am getting bad rusting on bolts.

I have a plan B, it involves never seize and a second set of bolts but I will have to do this when I return.

aczlan · Apr 28, 2014

Sounds like you need to make a couple of doors to go over the holes in the deck and keep the water out.

Aaron Z

stephan · Apr 28, 2014

Have you thought about replacing your mower with either a slasher (bush hog I think) or a flail mower, the latter being a good option.

If it's about the slopes you can look at other tractors like a Ferrari, Antonio Carraro or Valpadana all low centre of gravity.

Just a thought. Who dosent want a Ferrari???

MossRoad · Apr 28, 2014

I have considered this option, too, but just bite the bullet and get out the air impact wrench. If I was going to cut holes, I'd cut the hole with a hole saw to a know dimension and use plugs or caps.

cqaigy2 · Apr 28, 2014

woodlandfarms said:
.......That is until today. So still mowing with the short, only one stall in 5 hours. But then bam, I hit a hidden 1" logging wire (they come up now and then) and sheared a bolt. Well quick back to the shop and I try to drive out the bolt.......

Anyway, here is the downside. I leave my mower out, under a big fir tree but it sits out. Well, these holes let water fill the mower drum. And well, now I am getting bad rusting on bolts........

Ah, living in the PNW. Pacific Northwest.

Gary Fowler · Apr 28, 2014

woodlandfarms said:
But then bam, I hit a hidden 1" logging wire (they come up now and then) and sheared a bolt. .

And I thought rocks were bad, logging cable got to be worse.

Poorman1234 · Apr 28, 2014

You might consider NPT pipe plugs. Cut and tap the holes to size right in the deck. The material should be well thick enough to grab 2 full threads. Use galvanized, or even plastic plugs. Anti-sieze would also protect the metal of the deck.

ponytug · Apr 28, 2014

I have to admit that I upsized to a HF 1000ft-lb air impact wrench awhile ago, but I try not to use it as I'm more concerned that it will rip the metal out. You still need PB-blaster/Penetrol or whatever your favorite penetrating oil is and heat really helps. I do notice that with any impact wrench, the hammering seems to help the penetrating oils penetrate. At the end of the day it is more about preventing the rust, i.e. keeping the water out in the first place. Doors with seals over your holes sounds like a great idea, as does never seize.

Your logging cable stories always sound like the fingers of hades reaching up to get you. I think that you have been lucky that the cables are heavy, because I'm sure that they bring everything to a halt instantly. Imagine how bad zipline could be.

Stay safe out there.

All the best,

Peter

woodlandfarms said:
The back history is that mowing my property is a combat sport. I tend to break 3 to 6 blade bolts a year, if not more. It has always been a nightmare extracting the old bolts. So last fall when my mower blew a bearing I tore the whole machine down to just the metal deck, then pulled my torch out and cut holes so I could reach the bolt sticking out. I devised a few cobbled together tools and have been able to back drive out the broken bolts.

That is until today. So still mowing with the short, only one stall in 5 hours. But then bam, I hit a hidden 1" logging wire (they come up now and then) and sheared a bolt. Well quick back to the shop and I try to drive out the bolt. It won't go.... OK, so I have put hex head plugs in the other two holes so I get my hex driver and they don't budge either. Soak everything with penetrating oil, pull out the torch. Ended up having my heavy mechanic friend stop by and he reefed them out.

Anyway, here is the downside. I leave my mower out, under a big fir tree but it sits out. Well, these holes let water fill the mower drum. And well, now I am getting bad rusting on bolts.

I have a plan B, it involves never seize and a second set of bolts but I will have to do this when I return.