Trouble Changing BushHog Blades

[CharlieS]

I have on occasion seen the bolt on bushhog type mowers twist so the key gets sheared off in the mounting hole. Bolts jam in pretty tight then. I've found on the rotary cutters i've had, after blade removal i coat the bolt with anti seize when replacing it. When i drop my blades on both currently owned cutters, i spin the nut off til its flush with the end of the bolt, a light tap with a hammer and punch, finish the nut removal and they fall right off.

 

[Baby Grand]

Another vote for anti-seize. I know it doesn't help you with your present difficulty, but think of it as "Duty now, for the future".

-Jim

 

[Bob3525]

I am having the same problem,

Trying to Take Blades off Farmhand Agco RC250 Bushhog

I finally got the 2 Nuts off the bushhog blade bolts, took a 3/4" breaker bar and 5 ft. cheater pipe.
Used a 3/4" drive 1 11/16" socket and thought I could knock the bolts out from top, they don't seem to come out.

What am I missing? Please help !!!

And if I can get these blades off and sharpened, would like to have a second set to keep sharp to swap out, anyone know where I can get a 2nd set?

Thinking of using a wedge shaped ball joint tool from underneath.

 

[Bob3525]

Thanks going to try this today on my Farmhand Agco RC250 Bushhog, got the nuts off finally, but can't know the bolts out, I can see that this might work , to stop the flexing. Will let you know. Thanks again.

 

[JimME]

It's been 13 years since I wrote this reply. The output oil seal is now leaking and I needed to take the blades off and was having trouble with the bolts. I searched online for solutions and found this post of mine from 2005 and can confirm that this still works and is the best way to get the bolts out. It's ironic I used my own post. I had forgot the specifics and that I called Bush Hog for help.

Just bought and changed the blades on my Bush Hog 286 (72") today.

I too got the nuts and lock washers off (with a 3/4" drive and a sledge hammer), but couldn't get the bolts out for the life of me.

I called the Bush Hog company today and talked to a guy in the service department and told him of my troubles. He chuckled and told me that the bolts are pressed in and have a key way. He said heating won't do much good. He then told me the "secret" to removing the blade bolts.

He said to raise the bush hog, turn the stump jumper so the bolt is visible through the access hole and then place a big block of wood under the stump jumper right next to the blade to be removed and then lower the bush hog back down to the ground. The block of wood needs to be supporting weight and this keeps everything from flexing as you pound on the bolt from above. I got a piece of 1" brass rod stock (so I didn't scarf up the threads) and a hand held sledge and after a dozen or so whacks I felt the bolt loosen and then rocket to the ground. Yehaw! This was most welcome and made me quite happy. I then turned the stumpjumper to do the other bolt and removed it as well. I did find that the block should be right next to the blade but cannot be supporting the blade.

So there you go. The "secret" to removing bush hog blade bolts at home from the Bush Hog service department.

 

[majorwager]

Jim,
Thanks for that.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

A bottle jack works well also, or always has for me.

 

[Otgaugres]

There is a tool for that...at least removing and reinstalling the nuts:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396729_200396729

Different sizes and qualities available, but works like a charm. Might be a little expensive but they can probably be rented.