Rotary Cutter grass build up on rotary cutter

[jedolson]

Field is tall but I've got the cutter at the right height. Pulling 5' cutter with 9N. **** grass winds around the PTO shaft and builds up and causes strain on system. Is there a simple solution to this that I am overlooking?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Do you have a shield on the pto shaft? Sounds like you DON'T. The outer shield doesn't rotate even as the shaft does. That virtually eliminates weeds wrapping around the shaft.

 

[waytech]

May have shield, but does not have it chained to keep it from rotating

 

[srjones]

The simple solution remedy the problem is to keep a utility knife with you and keep checking it for wraparounds. It seems like once they get started they grow really quickly. A quick slice down the shaft and the grass drops away. If you let it build up, besides bogging down the tractor, you run the risk of damaging the PTO shaft seal. Don't ask me how I know this.

A preventative solution would be to use a PTO shaft with a plastic sheild so they never get started in the first place. As noted, you should chain down the ends so the plastic doesn't spin.

 

[jedolson]

Yes I have a shield on it but it rotates with the pto...not sure I can get it loose but I'll have to try and then chain it down....another shield up near the pto at the tractor that bolts to the tractor would also help I guess.

To the guy who suggested the knife to cut it away with, you win the prize! and the prize is, you get an all expense trip to my 20 acres to ride back on and straddleing the cutter and hold the knife down on the pto shaft every time the grass starts to build up.

 

[Rara Avis]

Yes I have a shield on it but it rotates with the pto...not sure I can get it loose but I'll have to try and then chain it down....another shield up near the pto at the tractor that bolts to the tractor would also help I guess.

To the guy who suggested the knife to cut it away with, you win the prize! and the prize is, you get an all expense trip to my 20 acres to ride back on and straddleing the cutter and hold the knife down on the pto shaft every time the grass starts to build up.

Well, you should have a couple of zerks(one on each end of the shaft just before the shields) on PTO cover that you need to apply grease to...

 

[Eagleview]

I had this problem once , i used a piece of conveyor belt about 2X3' square hanging from the front of the lower arms . It used to trail below the shaft laying the grass over so it never came in contact with the shaft . If cut so that it meets the leading edge of the slasher it also stops stones being thrown at you and the tractor . I find if i chain the PTO cover they last about 5 minutes , i let mine spin .

 

[Willl]

Likem so.

 

[chh]

At one time I had an old brush hog that didn't have the cover. I used a piece of belting about 12" wide bolted to the drawbar. It worked pretty well. Try greasing your cover as mentioned, if it is not too gunked up and stuck that may help.

 

[radman1]

If he has a metal shield on the pto, it seems like they always turned with the shaft. They were no designed to be stationary. Even the plastic pto shields with time will break the tabs or lose the chain and start to spin.