rotary cutter rebuild

MESSMAKER · May 17, 2011

I ended up with a Big Bee 5' rotary cutter(ld 540 I believe) as part of a deal. I have decided to keep it as a spare. It has a new gearbox on it and the sides are fine,The trailing wheel is OK, but not HD by any means. but the A-frame is bent slightly and the sheet metal is rusting. My neighbor and I are going to replace the sheeting with some 3/16 S. M. that we have laying around. I have access to torch, welder and a good bit of almost fee metal. What other improvements should I consider?

teg · May 17, 2011

How's the blades? Are you going to have photos of the mower and the rebuild. I have one that could use the deck replaced, would be nice to see yours done.

MESSMAKER · May 17, 2011

I have already started on it. The blades are good but not great. I put a down and dirty paint jop on it yesterday. I changed it from rust and red to black.I took it out for a trial run and it works just fine. I will try to get a photo or two up.

deereman75 · May 17, 2011

Sounds good but if you didnt already you might want to sharpen the blade.:thumbsup:

MESSMAKER · May 17, 2011

deereman75 said:
Sounds good but if you didnt already you might want to sharpen the blade.:thumbsup:

I keep the blade on my good cutter sharp, but to tell the truth, I can't tell much difference. It may not bog down as easily, but the cut looks about the same.

MESSMAKER · May 17, 2011

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This is what I am starting with.

teg · May 17, 2011

I don't use the top link for my mowers... If I have to raise it up, using just the wheel in the back and the bottom lift arms will raise it high enough to get over any rocks. I basically I just drag the mower behind me with the lower arms.

Compared to mine... that one looks good

It looks like the top part of the 3ph moves in and out? (since the chain and the bent section)

2manyrocks · May 18, 2011

Unless there are some structural integrity problems with the deck that create a safety issue, I'm not sure I'd invest the time and labor in replacing the deck with new metal. It's doubtful that it will increase the resale value.

MESSMAKER · May 18, 2011

2manyrocks said:
Unless there are some structural integrity problems with the deck that create a safety issue, I'm not sure I'd invest the time and labor in replacing the deck with new metal. It's doubtful that it will increase the resale value.

Hard to see in the photo, but the sheet metal has about 500 small holes in it. I am a bit worried that it might not hold back dome debris that shoots out just right. I do some contract mowing, so I plan on using this as a back up unit and really don't look to sell.