May have gone a little too long before replacing the blades on the brush hog

[ustmd]

Okay--so maybe I stretched it a bit. I bought the brush hog in 2009 when we got the tractor. The tractor has ~450 hours on it---probably 350-400 of those are brush hogging. I take the fifth over whether I had ever sharpened the blades.

Since the last few times I used it, it more beat the tall grass down as opposed to cutting it, I decided it was time to replace the blades. I ordered in new blades plus new pins and nut--I figured the odds of me getting everything off in one piece was pretty slim.

My major concern was getting the nuts off. Assuming the bolts were torqued to factory spec (600 ft/lbs) and 11 years of moisture, I figured I was in for a day of cussing and suffering--even with soaking everything in PB Blaster.

Then on Saturday morning, I was in Tractor Supply, where I found this on sale:

DeWALT High Torque 1/2 In. Impact Wrench Kit at Tractor Supply Co.

I didn't think twice.

It spun the bolts off no problem--even the one with the stuck cotter pin.

The hardest part was getting the pins to break loose, but more PB Blaster and some pounding eventually did the trick.

Okay--so maybe the blades where worn done a bit. :laughing:

 

[BrokenTrack]

Those are not worn down at all!

My bushog was bought in 1965 and has had (2) sets of knives on it in the last 55 years of service. I will have to get you a photo of them for you, but 50% of the steel on the cutting edges is missing. I have ground them down a few times, but I got my money out of them for sure.

 

[Gary Fowler]

That looks like lawnmower blades, not bush hog. Are you talking about a rear finish mower rather than a real bush hog?
As for wear, they dont look bad, a little wear where the tips turn up that gives the blade some lift which is normal for lawnmower blades. You just need to put a grinder on them and sharpen them up with emphasis on the tips. Remember you dont need a knife edge on mower (even lawn mower blade), leave about 1/16" landing on the edge.

 

[FTG-05]

Those are not worn down at all!

My bushog was bought in 1965 and has had (2) sets of knives on it in the last 55 years of service. I will have to get you a photo of them for you, but 50% of the steel on the cutting edges is missing. I have ground them down a few times, but I got my money out of them for sure.

I agree. They look pretty good from here!

 

[gstrom99]

I agree, not too bad looking. I'd have sharpened 'em. Are those nuts left hand or right hand thread? I've never had mine (King Kutter) off...

 

[Stimw]

These are old and new from my 5' Woods!
I don't know how old they were, I bought it WELL used.
They are not supposed to be sharp, if sharp they will chip with rocks or gravel.

 

[BrokenTrack]

These are old and new from my 5' Woods!
I don't know how old they were, I bought it WELL used.
They are not supposed to be sharp, if sharp they will chip with rocks or gravel.

I was bushogging one day and hit a basket ball sized rock, and split the thing right in half! Now that was a pretty hard hit, and in just the right spot!

 

[Diggin It]

That looks like lawnmower blades, not bush hog. Are you talking about a rear finish mower rather than a real bush hog?

I thought that too, except for the bolt/nut. The finish mowers I'm working on all have a center bolt that goes into the spindle, not a bolt/nut combo. But I don't see much wear on those blades. The blades on my walk behind field/brush mower are blunt edge, more like beater bars.

 

[oosik]

I bought my riding mower, JD G100, brand new in 2005. It still has the OEM blades. They look just like the used ones Stimw has pictured. Still plenty of use remains. Just keep 'em sharp - keep on truckin'.

 

[3Ts]

+1 I'd resharpen them (blunt edge) and continue to use them. Still have lots of steel there.