Rotary Cutter / Brush Hog Blades Stopped Spinning

[masseytx]

I have an old "brush hog", (I believe its a super sunshine brand). The branding is long gone on it.

Anyway, the other day I sheared the pin on the PTO shaft. No biggie, put a new one in, and continued working.

On the next mow I heard some abnormal noises after a rough mow (rough on the brush hog). Didnt think much of it. Then after I was done cutting, on my way back, I noticed the blades werent spinning anymore. The PTO shaft was spinning all the way to the gear box, but the blades simply werent spinning.

I've never worked on a the underside of a "brush hog" or opened up the gear box before. Do you guys have any idea what the culprit might be? Obviously, possible some teeth in the gearbox got chewed up? Is it possible even the gearbox is fine but a connection below it is finished?

Its been through hell, so anythings possible.

Thanks for the input.

 

[ning]

I have an old "brush hog", (I believe its a super sunshine brand). The branding is long gone on it.

Anyway, the other day I sheared the pin on the PTO shaft. No biggie, put a new one in, and continued working.

On the next mow I heard some abnormal noises after a rough mow (rough on the brush hog). Didnt think much of it. Then after I was done cutting, on my way back, I noticed the blades werent spinning anymore. The PTO shaft was spinning all the way to the gear box, but the blades simply werent spinning.

I've never worked on a the underside of a "brush hog" or opened up the gear box before. Do you guys have any idea what the culprit might be? Obviously, possible some teeth in the gearbox got chewed up? Is it possible even the gearbox is fine but a connection below it is finished?

Its been through hell, so anythings possible.

Thanks for the input.

My guess is whatever sheared the pin on the shaft... plus the previous forty such shearings... took its toll in the gearbox. I doubt the shaft leading from the gearbox to the blades has sheared but instead as you said a tooth or something. Have you tried pulling the pto shaft off and spinning the input by hand to get a feel for "how much" you're turning?

 

[sweettractors]

I would guess gearbox teeth stripped as well. Slight possibility locking nut on the tapered splined output per shaft could be loose and let the blade carrier/stump jumper drop down enough cause slippage? Ken Sweet

 

[CADplans]

My neighbor always stated that hitting rocks in the field simply sharpened the blades,,
When he mowed, EVERYONE could hear the clanking and grinding,,,

After two summers of that,, the Deere dealer came and picked up the bush hog,,
it got a new gear box,,,

NOW, he either picks up rocks, or does not mow the "rocky" areas!! LOL!!

 

[sea2summit]

Try spinning the blades by hand and see how the box sounds/engages? That will give you a pretty good indicator of where your problem is and how big. If there isn’t another sheer pin I’m guessing you’ll need a new box.

 

[dstig1]

This is a pretty simple machine. Take a look in the gearbox for one. Try spinning the blades with it disconnected. Not much that can go wrong so if you spin one part and the next part don't: then your problem is in between them...