Redecking a bush hog

[deerefan]

I have 286 Bush Hog brand cutter. 6’ cut. The deck has some rust holes. Otherwise it is in good working order. Requires 10ga steel and I only have a small welder, not strong enough for the job. What can I expect to pay to weld on a new deck?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Just fix the holes with what you have. I have a small welder that plugs in 110. It would repair that. I also have a big AC DC welder. But the small one can do it too. Just cut a square out. Cut a square that fits in the hole. Weld an old bolt to the piece so you can finesse it. Weld, cut bolt off. Use bolt several times over and over. A small welder can handle 1/8" steel. I've welded bigger.

 

[Smokeydog]

Took me over 25 years to wear out my 286 deck and sides. Stump jumper looking ruff. Gearbox still good and still cuts pretty good. Thought about rebuilding but it wasn’t economical.

Looked at new bushogs and brown cutter. $$$expensive but they last.

Over the winter found a 20 year newer, little used, stored inside, used 286 cutter for $1200. Don’t think I could have rehabilitated my mower for that.

Repairing mower deck is tedious work and not trapping moisture in pockets important.

Got a spare for parts or sale. Even rough the name sells. Might modify the old one to make leaf blower or vacuum.

 

[deerefan]

Took me over 25 years to wear out my 286 deck and sides. Stump jumper looking ruff. Gearbox still good and still cuts pretty good. Thought about rebuilding but it wasn’t economical.

Looked at new bushogs and brown cutter. $$$expensive but they last.

Over the winter found a 20 year newer, little used, stored inside, used 286 cutter for $1200. Don’t think I could have rehabilitated my mower for that.

Repairing mower deck is tedious work and not trapping moisture in pockets important.

Got a spare for parts or sale. Even rough the name sells. Might modify the old one to make leaf blower or vacuum.

Mine is 18 years old. Other than some rust holes in the deck it is in good working order.

 

[cathy liebchen]

We just replaced all of our cutters with Browns. They will outlast all of us

 

[LD1]

The286 is a good cutter. But replacing the WHOLE deck is gonna be alot of cutting and grinding.

Maybe some pictures of it and we could better advise.....Is the whole deck rusted and getting thin? To the point that there are just a few holes now but alot more in the near future? Or are there just a couple troubled areas where paint got chipped off and it laid with debris on top and rotted a localized area?

 

[Smokeydog]

286 model was a good mower they made for a long time and built their brand. There are some improvements on the newer one like rounded rear deck with thicker side skirt. Replaceable skids. Metal vs plastic slip disk shroud. Bigger gearbox…

If your damage and wear isn’t too severe, patching may get you a few more years. 1/8” within a small welder scope. Material and tools needed minimal. Pitting corrosion underneath the deck adds up over many years and you maybe seeing the tip of the iceberg. The skill and technique in repairing a big variable in cost and success.

Vocational skill project or your own adult vocational school project is a good place to learn skills and meet new friends with shared interest.

 

[deerefan]

The286 is a good cutter. But replacing the WHOLE deck is gonna be alot of cutting and grinding.

Maybe some pictures of it and we could better advise.....Is the whole deck rusted and getting thin? To the point that there are just a few holes now but alot more in the near future? Or are there just a couple troubled areas where paint got chipped off and it laid with debris on top and rotted a localized area?

It is somewhat scattered. A good bit along the front edge. I will see if I can get some pics this evening

 

[mcfarmall]

Lol, when I first glanced at the title of this post I thought it said REDnecking a bush hog!!!

 

[deerefan]

Lol, when I first glanced at the title of this post I thought it said REDnecking a bush hog!!!

If I weld it, that title will be accurate

 

[deerefan]

The286 is a good cutter. But replacing the WHOLE deck is gonna be alot of cutting and grinding.

Maybe some pictures of it and we could better advise.....Is the whole deck rusted and getting thin? To the point that there are just a few holes now but alot more in the near future? Or are there just a couple troubled areas where paint got chipped off and it laid with debris on top and rotted a localized area?

Here are some pics. The debris is not typical. I blow it off after use.

 

[Dwellonroof]

I have the same problem with a John Deere 513 bushog but want to keep it since it works great for me but I started keeping it in the barn for now.

 

[WranglerX]

I would cut out damaged/rusted areas, and patch it with like sized material, if a 120V "mig" welder can't do it, it's a problem with the weldor and not the welder....

 

[LD1]

Yup....I'd just patch the bad areas

 

[IndyJay]

Edit: Sorry, I thought you said "Rednecking" a bush hog...

 

[5030]

Just rebuilt a Brush Hog 'Squealer' for a customer. Gearbox and pto was fine, blades were shot and had many rust holes and a bent side sheet. Got a new set of blades from ASC and pivot bolts, cut the old ones off, patched the rust holes with sheet steel and gave it the '5 gallon finish'. Good as new.

 

[CADplans]

Why worry about those holes?? put some Fluid Film on the holes,, and run it another 5 years.

I saw that type damage on my brother-in-laws mower,, that prompted me to wash my mower after each use.
My JD 390 must be getting close to 20 years old,, now.
Washin' is easier than weldin',,,,,,,,,,,

 

[CADplans]

If you REALLY can not stand the holes,, BOLT some patches in place.
The bolted in patches will outlast the gearbox,, if you keep the machine washed in the future.

 

[crashz]

I would give your little welder a workout (and/or grinder if you weld like me!). You could make some really simple rectangular patches, cut, and weld them in. All nice flat surfaces. The cutter looks to be in great shape otherwise. Definitely worth repairing.

I would even say its worth taking to a welding shop to repair. Not sure what the cost would be but can imagine it would take a couple of hours and few bucks in steel. Maybe $200? I'd spend that.

My cutters look like they fell of a truck and were dragged home...