Rotary cutter help

[Mike from MI]

I have a 5' howse rotary cutter have no idea of age or modle. I wanted to pull blades of and sharpen them. I have the correct socket and breaker bar, when I try to loosen nut the bolt spins also and I move blades by hand is this supposed to happen ? And I have a little up and down play on the blades also. I my question is how can I remove blades.

 

[BethelHntr]

I have always had good results with a impact gun. Those can be kinda tricky when their half on and off but a impact gun will remove them.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Your blade bolt is splined. It's supposed to be stationary while you remove the nut, but often it won't. (that's what you're experiencing)

The fix it to remove and replace the blade bolts. Sometimes you can hold the head of the bolt with a large pipe wrench. Sometimes, it's just best to cut the nuts off with a torch and get new ones.

 

[Mike from MI]

Your blade bolt is splined. It's supposed to be stationary while you remove the nut, but often it won't. (that's what you're experiencing) The fix it to remove and replace the blade bolts. Sometimes you can hold the head of the bolt with a large pipe wrench. Sometimes, it's just best to cut the nuts off with a torch and get new ones.

Thanks for the fast response and the great info. I'll be cutting them off.
Are nuts and bolt redly available for TSC or another vender.
Thanks to both of you for your help.
Mike

 

[Mike from MI]

I went ahead and cut the bolts off and put new bolt set on cutter.
Now my question is should blades move when everything's tight.

 

[Piston]

I went ahead and cut the bolts off and put new bolt set on cutter. Now my question is should blades move when everything's tight.

I guess I'm too late, but the best way to sharpen your blades is to leave them right in place and use an able grinder.

Just raise the 3 point as high as it goes while the top link is as short as it can be, and if course secure the cutter so it can't fall on you and you sharpen them right in place.

The only reason to take the blades off is to replace them.

 

[Mike from MI]

Now my question is should blades move when everything's tight.

Thanks for all replies

 

[big bubba]

"I guess I'm too late, but the best way to sharpen your blades is to leave them right in place and use an able grinder." piston
i would agree with you but that practice could also be a discussion for safety.
mike yes, on all the b'hogs i've delt with, the blades rotate on the bolts once tightened. if using an impact to tighten, i'd recommend hand tightening to specs to finish up. and yes, there's some vertical play as well. be safe!!!

 

[Piston]

Now my question is should blades move when everything's tight. Thanks for all replies

Yes they should still move.

 

[Mike from MI]

Thanks all for the great info and all the quick responses.

Thanks again Mike

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Mike: Just an FYI. The blades should be free to swing when the blade bolt/nut is tight. The centrifugal force of the blade carrier rotating swings the blades outward. If a blade hits something, it can swing (rotate) back on impact. If they were locked in place and you hit something with a blade, it would transmit a lot more shock/trauma to the gearbox and, potentially, your tractor's PTO.

 

[flusher]

I got tired of working under my 6-ft Hawkline brush hog sharpening the blades. So I cut an access panel in the top cover large enough to sharpen with a 4-1/2 inch angle grinder. Works like a charm.

 

[Mike from MI]

Thanks everyone for helping me with this issue, make's me feel much safer knowing how cutter should work and be set-up.
Now I'm reading up on best way to figure out driveshaft length.
Outstanding site thanks again Mike

 

[Mike from MI]

Anyone have a suggestion on what length driveshaft I should buy to start with and than cut to size if needed.
Running new Kubota L3200 and the howse 5' cutter.

Thanks Mike

 

[Piston]

I got tired of working under my 6-ft Hawkline brush hog sharpening the blades. So I cut an access panel in the top cover large enough to sharpen with a 4-1/2 inch angle grinder. Works like a charm. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/385709-rotary-cutter-help-img_3780-medium-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/parts-repairs/385710-rotary-cutter-help-img_3781-medium-jpg"/>

That's a great idea!

 

[smstonypoint]

Anyone have a suggestion on what length driveshaft I should buy to start with and than cut to size if needed.
Running new Kubota L3200 and the howse 5' cutter.

Thanks Mike

See

Steve

 

[Bigfoot62]

Steve,

The hacksaw might work on a mild steel PTO shaft, but it won't on a hardened shaft.
I have a power band saw in my shop, and a hardened CAT III shaft only cost me a new blade. Didn't hardly make a mark on it. My 14" chop saw handled it nicely!

 

[Mike from MI]

Got cutter up and running today, cut field of tall grass and a few paths with 1-2" brush. It did real well and I'm real happy with it.
Thank you all for help with my newbie questions. I give you guys all the credit would have gave up with out your support.
This site is great not one time did anyone make me feel like I was asking dumb questions or give negative replies. There not many sites like that out there.

Thanks Mike

 

[Piston]

Good to hear Mike! Thanks for the update, I'm glad it worked out for you!

 

[aginn]

Mike, that is what I like about this site as well.
I really enjoy all the info that other peoples questions let me acquire for my own future use. Pretty nice having some of these really experienced tractor guys to help educate us isn't it? Specially when they seem to enjoy teaching us.