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Bush Hog Blades

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Sal

04-20-2001 21:08:49




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In the morning I am going to take a look at the blades on my bush hog. Never done this before. I know its real heavy and need to be safe. It is parked next/under a lage pine tree. I was planning on using a 4 ton come-a-long to lift it towards the pine tree and and then secure it with 2 log chains to the tree while bracing the other side up with some 2x6's.

Now my questions. I am sure the blades are in lousy shape, they are 15 years old at least, maybe 18 years.

1. Based on their age should I just replace them or if would I be ok just grinding them?

2. If I grind them how do I ballance them? The blades are free floating (bolted to the arms)

3. Are the blades are Quality Farm good to use?

4. How tight should I bolt the blades on when I put them back on? Just tight enough to let them swing freely?

5. Should I plan on just replacing the bolts due to their age?

6. Any other thoughts? I am expecting the bolts to be a real pain to get off.

Thanks.

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Dave Smith, May Be Nutz

04-21-2001 13:45:14




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
Some of these guys might think im nutz, But I have 35 achres to mow. I sharpen my blades once a year and if there is big nicks or the tips get worn down I build it up with soft welding rod. The blades should be flat on the bottom and the top tapered down to the bottom. Idealy you should have 1/32 to 1/16 inch blunt edge. I use a Brush Hog brand 6 foot mower and it has sholdered bolts that the blades swing on. I lube the bolts with Never Sieze. This has been working for me 15 years now. This is no longer a operational dairy farm and the land is in the set aside. Uncle sugar wants me to mow it once every 3 years but I do it every year to keep the brush under control. They want it mowed in August when any wildlife is done nesting in it. They also pay for trees to be planted on this ground and I have planted about 14000 trees in the last 12 years.
Dave Smith <*)))><

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Jim 380057

04-21-2001 10:52:13




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
I don't think you need to hang your hog from a tree to change the blades. I just set mine down on some 4 x 4's which gives me enough room to reach under it with one hand. There should be a hole in the top of the deck just behind the gear box..this will give you access to the nut. use a socket and, if necessary a 4' cheater and take this nut off. the blade and the bolt will drop down. reverse the proceedure by laying on your back and holding the blade with bolt in it with your out streched arm and put the bolt back up through the hole. replace lthe washer and nut and tighten. works for me. good luck.

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Brian *N* S. IL

04-21-2001 05:55:10




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
Do a thourough inspection of all the parts and how they fit together once you get everything apart. If there is considerable wear on the blade bolts and the fit where they attach to the carrier is sloppy (like severely oblong holes in the blades and worn shoulders on the blade bolts) then it would be best to replace them.

To put a new edge on the blades, I use my little 4 1/2 inch angle grinder. Dress out all the gouges from rocks and whatnot, and if there are any deep ones, make sure that they are dressed out to a smooth curve or if possible removed entirely. Don't leave any gouges with sharp angles (these can form stress cracks and you'll throw the tip of the blade off.) As far as putting an edge on them, I think a more blunt edge will provide better service than one sharpened to a razor type edge.

The way to balance the blades on a 'hog is to just weigh each one of them and then grind more on the heavier one until they both weigh the same. Since they are free swinging from a pivot point some distance from the center of rotation of the blade "disk" (the entire spinning assembly of the blade carrier and the 2 blades), it doesn't matter how the individual blade balances from its center, but how the entire "disk" balances. Therefore, if each blade weighs the same, the "disk" will be balanced.

Hope this helps,

Brian

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bj/8N/mt

04-21-2001 05:27:09




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
think other posts covered everything but balancing blades if you grind on them and maybe to carefully inspect for cracks after you grind. anyhow:

there should be a hole at the center of the blade

just chuck a screw driver in a bench vise and hang the blade cener on the round part of the screw driver so it can swing freely. when it hangs level i.e. balances turn it over and then turn it upside down. if it hangs level in all planes it is plenty close enough for government work

your mileage may vary

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Greg

04-21-2001 03:14:44




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
Hi Sal, First of all, be careful. That load rating on your come-along is probably a horizontal dragging rating, not a vertical dead lift if you get my drift. Now my take on the hog is look at condition more than age. Sure the cutting edge is probably worn. Nothing a little time and a grinder won't take care of. See if the shoulders of the blade attach bolts are worn. Replace if they make you nervous. And let those blades swing. That's what they are meant to do. IMHO.

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RON/PA

04-21-2001 03:13:47




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
SAL,
weather or not to replace your blades is something that you will have to decide after you get under it safely!! If you decide to replace them, be sure that the bolts are tight enough to be safe, they should be a shoulder bolt so that you can tighten them to specs. I know a neighbor that killed one of his steers with a flying hog blade. Don't use regular bolts and leave them loose enough to allow blade movement, use the right bolts and protect yourself and family. RON/PA

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James Lee (TN)

04-20-2001 21:42:54




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 Re: Bush Hog Blades in reply to Sal, 04-20-2001 21:08:49  
Sal, I am no expert on bushhogs, but I can tell you what I do. Mine is an old one and every year at the begining of the season, I take a hand grinder and put a rough edge on the blades and let them go. I won't change mine unless they are broke or something. Been doing this a long time and it cuts well every year.



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