JD Brush Hog: Can’t access bolt to take blades off.

[Cycledude]

i’ve used the angle grinder method but think I might try removing the blades to sharpen them next time.

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[jthibodeau89]

IF you don't need to remove a massive amount of material maybe a rotary file in electric drill or air tool...

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61xuGhrNpOL._AC_SL1100_.jpg

Dale

When using a rotary file always wear goggles or face shield and safety glasses. The steel filings are little needles that fly everywhere. Very painful in an eye. Ask me how i know. Just safety glasses is not enough to protect you.

 

[JD 4520]

I have two identical JD / Frontier Brush Hogs. I went out and looked at mine and both appear the same as yours from the photo in the original posting. I use a socket with an extension and I have never had an issue getting them off. A little WD40 will help the experience but otherwise you should be fine dropping the blades one at a time.

When you reinstall them, check the key on the bolt side so you reinstall it correctly.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Like others said, why remove blades? I sharpen mine with a H.F. grinder, like this:

When mower is raised, I'd have plenty of wood support blocks around it (6x6 pieces,etc). Be sure safe to get under.
Be sure blades swing freely, wouldn't hurt to spray lube pivot point.
Eye protection is critical. Small metal chips fly everywhere.
Pretty good sharpening video, but he should have a couple more support blocks.
Bottom first to get it flat, then the top angle.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Do it the easy way. Set the tail wheel on something like a porch or trailer so the mower can not fall on you. Crawl under with an angle grinder. The more amps the grinder is, the quicker it will work. The Harbor Freight on will do the job but you can spend more (maybe $50-60) and have a lifetime tool. You can lock the blade in place with channelocks or a clamp and then go at it. Five minutes on each blade and you are good to go. I have mowed commercially for more than 10 years. I have never removed blades for sharpening. The only time I have ever removed the blades is to replace a gearbox.

 

[Tractorbub]

I'll add my 2 cents. I have a similar brush hog shredder and replaced the blades last year. Obviously the blades had been on my shredder many years because neither a cheater bar or air impact wrench would loosen the bolts. I finally had to use an oxygen/acetylene torch to heat the nuts until they were cherry red. The impact wrench easily removed the nuts.

I did buy new (hardware) nuts, bolts & lock washers when I replaced the blades. I also lubricated the bolts w/anti-seize so they won't be as difficult to remove in a few years.

 

[pop4dogs]

I have the same mower. The single nut you show is suppose to be torqued to 325 ft/lbs every mowing season. A torque multiplier is a great tool for this. My small torque wrench only needs to go to 75 ft/lbs. Do not oil those bolts unless you want to loose a blade! I threw a blade once (and still never found it) and have had the pan off twice before I actually replaced it. Too many rocks and stumps in my mowing areas. I tore the original pan. The castellated nut is not that tight once the pin is removed. The right size metric socket on a ratchet worked fine. The fit is tapered and it will just drop off. Put it on with out the blades.

Grind the hole until you can get a socket on the nut. Get a large (the bigger the better) diameter carbide burr that side cuts with a 1/4" shank. Put it in a drill motor and go at it.

Another great tractor tool is an Aluminum 4 foot pipe wrench. Light weight and it will help bend metal back or break things loose. Every time my blade tips start rubbing I bend the sidewall back out with mine. I got a steel one first but the aluminum is the best. Good luck!

 

[kentrodngun]

I'm with deserteagle71 - I rarely sharpen my blades. It's a brush hog, not a finish mower. That said, I have 2 sets of blades and switch them out and sharpen the spare at my leisure, but I don't go crazy, I just touch them up with a 4-1/2" grinder. Yes, they do recommend replacing the bolt and nut when you change out the blades. I've reused them but have had to add washers as they normally don't tighten up properly. I did recently replace them though. Air impact will get them off but sans that, some heat and a breaker bar on your socket and a pipe on the end will get them off.

 

[I Piddle]

It looks like you have a front-end loader. just pick the rotary cutter up from the side and sharpen the blades with an angle grinder. Looking at the pictures though it appears the one blade is bent. If that is so, sharpening won't work, but you should be able to cut the head off the bolt holding the blade.

I need a woman like you, I can sit on the porch and watch you brush hog. I might have to sharpen a blade or two but that is okay.

 

[jmccaughan1939]

I have a Frontier RC2072 cutter and the blades need to be sharpened badly. Manual says take the tail wheel bar off to expose the access port, turn the blade pan by hand to locate the 1 1/2” bolt to remove the blade.

I’m guessing there is a small dent in the pan because I don’t have enough room to fit my socket over the bolt.

Will I need to replace the pan or can I get a few more seasons out of it? If I don’t have to replace it, what’s the quickest way to get those bolts off so I can sharpen those blades? Also, manual says “I must replace mounting hardware when reattaching the blades”??? Not sure which hardware it’s referring too exactly.

If I have to take the pan off with the blades attached, how heavy is it? (I’m a 120lb woman doing this alone. Upper-body strength isn’t exactly my forte lol)View attachment 691908


View attachment 691909

Take a cut off grinder and enlarge the hole to get to the bolt. If you cain't break them loose borrow or buy a 3/4 inch $69.99 SAE or metric Search Results For "3/4 In Socket And Rachet Set" Use a pipe for extension handle. Don't try to change the Pan/Flywheel unless it is bent, you have to dismount the mower and stand it up and most likely will require heat, it weighs around 60lb. I sharpen them on the

I have a Frontier RC2072 cutter and the blades need to be sharpened badly. Manual says take the tail wheel bar off to expose the access port, turn the blade pan by hand to locate the 1 1/2” bolt to remove the blade.

I’m guessing there is a small dent in the pan because I don’t have enough room to fit my socket over the bolt.

Will I need to replace the pan or can I get a few more seasons out of it? If I don’t have to replace it, what’s the quickest way to get those bolts off so I can sharpen those blades? Also, manual says “I must replace mounting hardware when reattaching the blades”??? Not sure which hardware it’s referring too exactly.

If I have to take the pan off with the blades attached, how heavy is it? (I’m a 120lb woman doing this alone. Upper-body strength isn’t exactly my forte lol)View attachment 691908


View attachment 691909