Sharpening Brush Hog Blades

[firemanpat2910]

I always sharpen them on the mower. We have 2 bush hogs and a finnish mower at my buddies property where I keep the tractor. My bush hog is an old 5' JD that is beat to heck, It is used for true bushhogging, trees, making trails, and such.We keep the blades dull on it to prevent tire killing spikes. The other bushhog is the one we use on pastures and "clean" land. Its fairly sharp but not mower blade sharp. The finish mower is used only on property that we have mowed before and is treated like a finish mower. If you only have one mower it depends on what you are doing with it as too how sharp you want it. Tires are expensive and if you are clearing land all it takes is one spike to wreck your whole day.

 

[Soundguy]

As mrjimi said.. a sharp blade will make tire-poking spears out of small stumps ( 1" or so ).. whereas the duller blade 'shatters the stump. An added benefit is that a shattered stump usually kills the bush or tree.. On the other hand.. a neat cut sometimes acts like a pruning, and allows the stump to live and put off shoots and start all over again.

3rdly, a sharp blade gets more heavilly abuse by rocks and other debri.

generally you just hit it with a file or grinder to fix big nicks, and put a 1/8 or 1/16 edge on it and go.

Some people use a rotary mower to cut 'extended' yards.. and in doing this it is ok to put an edge on the blade like a lawnmower as there is no brush to cut. This gives a pretty good cut.. just a tad bit shaggier than a rider lawnmower.

Soundguy

So, why not make the blades sharp. I had not heard of this before.

Also, I have used my FEL or Pallets Forks to lift mine up on its end to sharpen...

 

[woodlandfarms]

You learn something new every day...

 

[Oleozz]

Haven't taken my blades off in 24 years. I sharpen them with a Dremel tool that has a small round grinding stone on the end, does a good job.

 

[mlauk]

I've never sharpened my blades on a shredder or even my lawn mower. Seems to always cut fine.

 

[Soundguy]

Sharp lawnmower blades help the engine work less and make a healthier cut for the grass.. cuts it vs ripping it/...

Soundguy

 

[heymack]

Using an impact wrench, I can change out (remove/reinstall if sharpening) blades a matter of minutes, sometimes using the 3-pt to lift it off the ground and other times using a chain hoist. Regardless, it's just two bolts/nuts.

As far as sharpening, I like to have a nice sharp cutting edge if I'm "mowing" pastures that have already been cleared and I like much duller blades for brushcutting for all the reasons already mentioned.

 

[john_bud]

Haven't taken my blades off in 24 years. I sharpen them with a Dremel tool that has a small round grinding stone on the end, does a good job.

Yowzers!

Either you have some short and stubby blades or you don't hit many large hard objects. My blades are lucky to still be with me in 24 months!

jb

 

[jamestaylor72]

As mrjimi said.. a sharp blade will make tire-poking spears out of small stumps ( 1" or so ).. whereas the duller blade 'shatters the stump. An added benefit is that a shattered stump usually kills the bush or tree.. On the other hand.. a neat cut sometimes acts like a pruning, and allows the stump to live and put off shoots and start all over again.

3rdly, a sharp blade gets more heavilly abuse by rocks and other debri.

generally you just hit it with a file or grinder to fix big nicks, and put a 1/8 or 1/16 edge on it and go.

Some people use a rotary mower to cut 'extended' yards.. and in doing this it is ok to put an edge on the blade like a lawnmower as there is no brush to cut. This gives a pretty good cut.. just a tad bit shaggier than a rider lawnmower.

Soundguy

LOL,,, christ, I learn something new from you guys everyday. Was just out brushhogging the property today, and never had a clue as to the sharpness/dullness of rough cutter blades, and the reasoning behind it.
Thanks again fellas,, another day, another rookie lesson for me !!

 

[Slippy]

I have a 10' cutter. Any suggestions on how to get under it to sharpen the blades. If I put it up on end it will stand over 10' tall and oil is going to run out and I can't remember if it is just 90w gear lube or is there something special to put in it? Anyone sharpened one that big?