Welding repair to Bush Hog question ????

brin · Apr 28, 2014

Brad_Blazer said:
I agree it looks like the corner sheared apart and needs some reinforcement. What does it look like from the outside of the corner i.e. how is the corner constructed? Can you describe the impact event that caused the damage?

Don't forget to drill a hole at the end of the crack however you fix it.

Yes...I ran over a split log cut to 18 in. or so for firewood...it was hiding in the brush and it bumped around under the stump jumper for about 5 seconds or so until I could turn it off...then I saw the splits...It shook the bush hog real good as I was operating in high brush. The corners are rounded and just split...some twisting must have occurred but the bush hog still works and cuts fine...I just want it fixed so it does not get worse.

Brad_Blazer · Apr 28, 2014

I edited my last post a little. It looks like the top of the skid should be welded/ integral to the leading edge. Is that connection still intact? I can see some weird things happening when its really shaking but it almost seems like the skid would have to separate to cause those tears.

brin · Apr 28, 2014

Brad_Blazer said:
I edited my last post a little. It looks like the top of the skid should be welded/ integral to the leading edge. Is that connection still intact? I can see some weird things happening when its really shaking but it almost seems like the skid would have to separate to cause those tears.

Very observant Brad, the skid did separate on both sides..If Bushhog would have manufactured this according to Arc Shields rules the skids would not have been a problem and this would not have happened...the leading edges of the skids have always been a problem they were square and not rounded so it allowed a build up of clay, mud grass etc. overtime to come between the skids and the mower body so when I hit this log...there was that gap that weakened the whole deck and allowed the quick twist and resulting splits...at least that is my theory....So...as you are pointing out...I am going to have to work on the skids too...right ?

Gary Fowler · Apr 28, 2014

It looks like it is thin enough to get full penetration without beveling. You may have to flip the BH over to weld the bottom side up with a fillet weld also. After welding up the crack, Put a reinforcement scab plate over the cracked area. The scab plate need not be more than 1.5 times as thick as the base metal or same thickness. I would also put some scab plates in other areas if it looked like the design was weak with corners being the most likely place to start.