would you use this bush hog?

[Notforhire]

Why remove the blades if you don't need to?

It's not unheard of to find cracks in bush hog blades at the pivots. If the blade brakes off it can go pretty far in any direction.

My neighbor was using a borrowed bush hog. It threw a blade (broke at the pivot) and flew about 50 yards.

I remove, resharpen and inspect my blades every season. If you know the machine history, and the blades aren't beat from hitting rocks, it's not as important.

So I guess the only way to know if you need to remove them, is to remove them.:laughing:

 

[rush389]

Does that Oliver have a three point hitch for the mower? We used a 77 when I was a kid, didn't have a three point hitch.

It does, yes. But whether that three point was there in 1949 ... reminds me of my favorite joke. What do you get when you cross an elephant and a rhino?

Elephino. (say it out loud).

 

[rush389]

Rush - I sent you a PM - Oosik.

I got it via email, but for some reason I don't see it when I log in? I have the original welcome PM and that's it. Anyway, I live in Spokane - we make it down to Amber a couple times per year to hike on the trail. And we go to Turnbull sometimes too. Very cool area!

 

[rush389]

Ok - thanks everyone. Whenever I get a tractor I will move the bush hog out of its current location around to the shop, flip it over with an engine crane or something and see what I've got.

Now I need to decide whether to get a full-size CUT and use the bush hog to cut our acreage (we have five, probably will only cut 3) or get a smaller tractor with a mid mount mower.

 

[Deere Dude]

Previous owner of our property left this 5 bush hog behind. I can make out Kutter on the side, barely. I have never used one and I noticed this one has no bolt holes for safety chains or any obvious way to attach something to the front.

Should I try to use this thing, or just sell it and finance a new one with a new tractor purchase? I am looking at an L2501 or similar tractor.

A few weeks ago I bought one just like that and probably worse shape. I didn't know the manufacturer, but I do now. I wanted to sharpen and check the blades so I stood it up on the hitch using the FEL. Easy to sharpen that way with an angle grinder.

Got some 80-w90 EP from Walmart and added to the gearbox, which was empty. After some research I didn't think it was worth taking the blades off as long as it works now. Sounded like a chore to remove them. The bottom seal leaks a little so I will just add a little when I use it.

 

[oosik]

All this stormy weather is playing real havoc with my internet provider. I'm having to log back almost every time I go to a new page or change threads.

 

[shovelmike]

Looks like a usable mower, Rush389, nice gift from the former owner.

 

[Hay Dude]

I would NOT remove the blades unless theyre shot. Why take the unnecessary risk of breaking something or under/over torquing the bolt? (If it aint broke, dont fix it).
One common theme I see here on TBN is too much OVER thinking going on. :laughing:

Just carefully pull it out and get it on a 3 point hitch. I like Kevins idea of keeping watch for wasps or snakes.
Check the gearbox oil (Id change the oil first, it’s been sitting and undoubtedly has condensation) After its on the 3 point, lift it up high and jamb a 6x6 chuck of wood under it. Inspect underneath - Grasp the blade with gloves on and give it a good shake. Make sure everything feels good, then run it at a low PTO speed with no bystanders. Maybe cut a light patch of brush and see how it goes. Then increase throttle until you get a good idea that everything is in balance, no excessive vibrations or strange noise.

 

[shaeff]

As many others have said, that looks to be in fine shape. Generally, the unit will be in overall bad shape if the gearbox is no good. Not always an indication, but that sucker is in WAY better shape than my brush hog. Way better.

If it spins freely by hand, check the oil as stated, make sure everything's tight that should be and just run it.

Hint: if you've never used a brush hog before-

If you're cutting grass only, it's ok to have sharp-ish blades. If you're cutting actual brush and thicker diameter material, the blades should be dull.

 

[edawg]

rush389, Looks like a good bush hog from here. Once you inspect everything, grease the PTO fittings, check gearbox oil, then do a dry run to see if the blades are level and if the sheet metal touches in any way during rotation. The usual problem is they hit a stump and something gets out of spec. Nothing a large monkey wrench won't fix. You may be able to add a "floating top link" as well to it so it will tilt up/down over larger obstacles to spare your new tractor some shock/vibration. But that's a nice to have really. Bush hogs are brute force attachments and you may find that older one is better built than anything you'd want to buy new. And you may want keep it and get the ground cleaned up first to where a finish mower of some sort could then maintain it pretty after that. No reason at all to rush to sell it. And you may want to help a neighbor or otherwise later on use the bush hog to barter for other favors/attachments they have you don't. That seems a nice gift they prior owner left you!