Woods Mower

[yomax4]

I feel dumb asking this but Its a first for me. I have a 28hp 4x4 Tractor and I picked up a 60" Woods Dixie Cutter. I plan to use it for the first time in my life and I wanted to ask if there is anything I should know about running this thing. I plan to grease the shaft, Hook up and engage the PTO and away I will go I hope. Would you pro's say that thats all I need to do? Im a 1st time tractor owner and feel kind of stupid asking basic questions.
( never used PTO)
Thanks in Advance.

 

[workmytractor]

I am no Pro, but I always throttle down before engaging the PTO...probably worth mentioning.

 

[WH401]

What condition is the blade in? Do you know when the last time it was sharpened?, odds are it could probably use a sharpening. Wouldn't hurt to get under the deck to at least make sure the bolts that hold the blade on are tight. Grease everything on the cutter, spindle, rear wheel and pivot, pto shaft. When you go to engage the pto, idle down to say 1500 - 1700 RPM and then engage it. This way there won't be a lot of sudden shock that could damage the mower or tractor. Also, when you engage the PTO make sure your in an area that won't create any resistance to the blade since it isn't up to speed yet, such as super tall grass or etc.

 

[Ductape]

I would make sure the PTO shaft is the proper length to be run on your tractor. Too long or too short could get expensive.

 

[Builder]

Small thing is to check to see if there's a plastic sleeve on the pto shaft and see if there's a small light duty chain with a clip. If there is, that clip & chain must be clipped to something to keep the plastic from spinning with the shaft.

 

[yomax4]

Fantastic help. Im unsure how to know the correct length of PTO Shaft. I have a Grey Market Tractor that is a close cross to a Massey 1240.
I have to ask,, What would become Expensive?

Thanks.

 

[TigerfaninAR]

Don't feel dumb asking any question. I have yet to pull the trigger on a tractor and these are some basic questions I would have as well.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Here is a link to another current thread that discusses this, and comes with instructions.
Bought mower...shaft too long - TractorByNet.com

 

[Stimw]

I have a 5' Woods Brush Cutter also and I used it on an old Ford 8-N with no problems. The Ford was only 24 PTO hp IIRC. I now have a 35hp Branson that handles it VERY WELL.
You should have to pull the drive shaft out (extend) to connect to the PTO. If it comes out too far it could come apart. Just be sure the two pieces have plenty of area in contact.
An old Fart told me brush cutter blades should not be sharp-sharp. He said that if too sharp they will chip if you hit a rock. They tear more than cut.
Make sure both blades turn free (they swivel around if you hit something) and the stump jumper is in good condition. (stump jumper- the large round metal disc in the center)
Make sure no one is near when using. They can throw things and will eat anyone who slips under them.
I have eaten palmetto bushes (very tough) by backing over them and lowering the machine slowly. I also ate a 12" hunk of concrete before I could stop. The machine didn't care, it complained loudly though!

 

[deerhunterf350]

An old Fart told me brush cutter blades should not be sharp-sharp. He said that if too sharp they will chip if you hit a rock. They tear more than cut.

Another reason behind not having blades SHARP SHARP is that when brush hogging 1" - 2" Saplings, a DULL blade will "Shatter / Splinter " the remaining stub left in the ground. Making difficult for the sapling to recover and grow back.

If it were a SHARP blade it would make a clean cut angling upward leaving a SHARP spike in the ground (aka TIRE POPPER ).

If you are ONLY going to cut Grass and have NO plans for knocking down brush, you could Sharpen the blades Sharp Sharp giving a clean cut.

 

[whistlepig]

Check the shear bolt on the cutter end of the PTO shaft. Make sure that it is in good condition. If this comes loose you may have a PTO shaft powered by a tractor motor flailing about close to the back of your head. This can be very dangerous. Check the blade mounting and stump jumper bolts/nuts. If the blades come loose they can fling in to a rear tractor tire and ruin it (or something worse). Make sure all your attachment points are strong and safe. Always step back after hooking up and double check that something doesn't get missed on the hook up. Be care full where you mow. A mower can suck up a piece of fence or a long strand of barbed wire. This can whip around and suck the operator or bystanders in to the mower. This may sound like overkill but all of the above has happened to me. I was lucky the first time and don't feel like I am owed a second chance.

 

[yomax4]

This is such a great site. You all are so very helpful. Im concerned about the PTO shaft. Mine has about a 24" long square shaft hooked to the mower and the outer cover is 2 piece but not seperable. It slides and turns as 2 pieces but is crimped as to keep it from seperating. It has the square inner and the round outer that both work independantly... I will hook it up and hope that it is the correct length. I did read about cutting to the correct length but my outer 2 piece guard does not come apart and it has no means for chaining it to keep it from spinning with the shaft. >??>


Thanks.,

 

[workmytractor]

So that's what that chain is for ...

 

[whistlepig]

This is such a great site. You all are so very helpful. Im concerned about the PTO shaft. Mine has about a 24" long square shaft hooked to the mower and the outer cover is 2 piece but not seperable. It slides and turns as 2 pieces but is crimped as to keep it from seperating. It has the square inner and the round outer that both work independantly... I will hook it up and hope that it is the correct length. I did read about cutting to the correct length but my outer 2 piece guard does not come apart and it has no means for chaining it to keep it from spinning with the shaft. >??>


Thanks.,

Although I am not an expert I have never heard of a PTO shaft that would not seperate. Square shaft, triangular shaft, or anything else. They have to come apart time to time. To be cleaned and greased. Or they will cease to slide. As far as the correct PTO length goes this is how it's done. Raise the cutter all the way up with the tractor with the PTO shaft disconnected. If the PTO shaft slides on the PTO spline of the tractor with no resistance you are good to go on the "up" side. On the down side you need to see how much engagement the PTO shaft has between male and female of the PTO shaft itself. They do come apart. If it comes apart on the down side your shaft is too short. Be careful about cutting your PTO shaft. That's not done much now. USA tractor people got their act together on this now.

 

[yomax4]

Yes, The square male shaft is currently attached to the mower. The female has the round guard cover over it and the full length cover is what is not removeable.
Thanks.

 

[coveredbridge]

If you haven't done so already, I would check the level and condition of gear oil in the gearbox.

 

[yomax4]

Thanks to all for the great info. I checked everything out; Hooked up ( which is a pain) And all went well. Its almost unfair to the Weeds.

Thanks again for the advice.