IH Rotary Cutter

[Valkyrie]

I bought a 211 IH rotary cutter from a relative for $200. A little rusty here and there and a couple quarter sized rust through spots on top of the deck. Gear box is in good shape as well as the clutch. Got new blades and ready to go. I run a Ford 3000 3 cylinder gas tractor. I have stabilizer bars also. Should I sharpen the new blades? If so, how, like a mower blade sharp or blunted edge? I've read through all the topics I could find, anything else I might need to know?

 

[amaxwell]

I bought a 211 IH rotary cutter from a relative for $200. A little rusty here and there and a couple quarter sized rust through spots on top of the deck. Gear box is in good shape as well as the clutch. Got new blades and ready to go. I run a Ford 3000 3 cylinder gas tractor. I have stabilizer bars also. Should I sharpen the new blades? If so, how, like a mower blade sharp or blunted edge? I've read through all the topics I could find, anything else I might need to know?

My thoughts are if you only intend to cut grass and weeds go somewhwre between mower sharp and blunt, but if using mainly for brush and small trees, leave them blunted to shatter the small stumps .
A shattered stump will decay faster and is not as likely to puncture a tire.

 

[Soundguy]

I bought a 211 IH rotary cutter from a relative for $200. A little rusty here and there and a couple quarter sized rust through spots on top of the deck. Gear box is in good shape as well as the clutch. Got new blades and ready to go. I run a Ford 3000 3 cylinder gas tractor. I have stabilizer bars also. Should I sharpen the new blades? If so, how, like a mower blade sharp or blunted edge? I've read through all the topics I could find, anything else I might need to know?

if the blade is new.. it is good to go. for rough cut.. leave a 1/16 or so blunt edge to protect blade and shatter woody shrub stems to kill them. if you need to cut 'lawn' sharpen them up like a lawnmower..

keep in mind sharpened blades nick wors when you hit rocks and things..